Bulls vs. Bears

Hosted by MPC Markets

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Episodes

123

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-AU

About the show

Bulls vs Bears is a weekly Australian stock market podcast from MPC Markets. Every Friday, Mark Gardner, Jonathan Tacadena, and Kai Chen wrap up the week in markets, what moved, what mattered, and where the opportunities are heading into next week. Part weekly market recap, part investment debate, part Friday afternoon pub chat. The team covers ASX and US stocks, sector themes, commodities, macro trends, and the bull and bear case on the ideas that matter most. New episode every Friday. Subscribe for your weekly market wrap.

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June 12, 2026Episode 12347 min

EP123: Are the 3 MEGA IPOs Signalling a Market Bubble?

🚀 SpaceX, OpenAI & Anthropic: Are the 3 MEGA IPOs Signalling a Market Bubble? | Bulls vs BearsIn this week's Bulls vs Bears, Mark Gardner and the team dive deep into the biggest financial story of 2026 — the wave of mega IPOs that could reshape global markets. With SpaceX reportedly listing at $1.77 trillion, alongside OpenAI and Anthropic, we're witnessing what could be the three largest IPOs in history. Is this the peak of market euphoria or the start of a new era in space, AI, and technology investing?We break down:The explosive valuations and retail frenzy around SpaceX IPO — Elon Musk's latest rocket rideWhat these listings mean for the broader market, tech stocks, semiconductors (NVIDIA, Broadcom, Apple), and the S&P 500Fresh economic data: Strong payrolls, sticky CPI & PPI inflation, and what to expect from the upcoming Fed meetingGeopolitical drama with Trump, Iran, and oil market impactsCrypto update: Bitcoin weakness, Hyperliquid strength, and MicroStrategy's strategy shiftWhy long-term investors should stay grounded amid the hypePerfect for Australian investors aged 55+ looking for clear, no-nonsense analysis on wealth preservation, structured income solutions, and navigating record-high markets. Whether you're protecting your retirement portfolio or seeking high-growth opportunities, this episode delivers practical insights you can act on.Timestamps & Chapters available in the full video.If you're serious about smarter investing in volatile times, subscribe to Bulls vs Bears for weekly market updates, strategy sessions, and expert commentary you won't get from the mainstream media.👉 Explore MPC Markets structured investment solutions at mosaic.mpcmarkets.com.au

June 5, 2026Episode 12244 min

Ep 122 | 10-Week Win Streak Starts to Wobble

Bulls vs Bears Ep 122 | 10-Week Win Streak Starts to Wobble — Dow Rallies, NASDAQ Dips & Software Stocks UpdateThe S&P 500's historic 10-week winning streak is under pressure. In this episode of Bulls vs Bears from MPC Markets, Mark Gardner, JT, and Kai break down a week where old-school indices fought back — the Dow and Russell 2000 both surged ~1.5% while the NASDAQ slipped 0.5%.What we cover in this episode:00:00 — The 10-week streak wobbles: Dow & Russell rally, tech pulls backMicron joins the trillion-dollar club after an extraordinary run from ~$419 to $1,080. Samsung memory workers threaten strike action over pay disparity. We discuss what the memory chip shortage means for investors.Megaport (ASX: MP1) delivered a 3x return off its lows, hitting $21 after languishing at $7. The company's pivot to GPUs-as-a-service raises questions about enterprise AI hosting and whether companies should run their own language models.Software Survivors update — our picks from the original webinar are tracked with full performance data. CrowdStrike and Palo Alto up ~90% since recommendation. We revisit which SaaS names face genuine AI disruption risk vs those with durable moats (Xero, ServiceNow, Snowflake, Atlassian).Jonathan explains the stock repair options strategy — a way to reduce your average entry price without deploying additional capital. We discuss why MPC is considering an "Options for Dummies" education series.Coal prices remain resilient near $160 while crude oil has been volatile. Strategic petroleum reserves are reportedly at critical levels. Bitcoin has broken to new lows for the year after Michael Saylor flagged potential BTC sales to fund dividends.All three hosts pick bearish for next week — a consensus that has historically been a contrarian signal. Key risks: US employment data (NFP), CPI, and Oracle/Adobe earnings.Register for the Software Survivors Sequel webinar (link in comments).This is general information only and not personal financial advice. MPC Markets is an Australian financial services firm — AFSL applies.#ASXStocks #BullsVsBears #MPCMarkets #SoftwareStocks #Micron #Megaport #OptionsTrading

May 29, 2026Episode 12138 min

Fresh Record Highs for Stocks on AI Frenzy

🎙️ Bulls vs Bears Podcast EP121: Fresh Record Highs for Stocks on AI Frenzywith Jonathan Tacadena & Mark Gardner from MPC MarketsIn this episode of Bulls vs Bears, Jonathan Tacadena (JT) and Mark Gardner (MG) break down the explosive market action as global stocks hit fresh record highs, fuelled by the unrelenting AI frenzy.From Nvidia and the Magnificent 7 dominating the US market heatmap to strong moves in Apple, Broadcom, and other tech giants — the bulls are charging. We also dissect the ASX heatmap, where miners and select stocks are holding their own amid the global rally.What we cover in EP121:US & Australian market heatmaps – who’s winning and who’s lagging in the AI-driven rallyInflation update: US PCE jumps to 3.8% headline / 3.3% core in April — what does it mean for the Fed?Global indices snapshot – ASX200, Nikkei, Hang Seng, Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq & Russell 2000 performance (daily & 5-day)Commodities check: Gold, Silver, Crude oil plunge, Iron ore, Bitcoin, and moreExplosive growth in Australian ETFs – record FUM and cumulative YTD net flows hitting $20.7bUS equity flows – what the big money is doing behind the scenesVolatility & market sentiment – Fear & Greed Index at 60 (Greed) + scorecard updateGlobal economic calendar – key events & earnings for 1–6 June 2026 (Non-Farm Payrolls, GDP, tech earnings & more)Plus the usual no-holds-barred debate between the Bulls and Bears — who came out on top this week?📺 Watch now and decide: Are we in a sustainable AI supercycle or is this the top of the frenzy?🎧 Listen on your favourite platform:→ Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Spotify→ Follow @mpcmarkets

May 22, 2026Episode 12049 min

EP120: Rockets & AI IPOs: SpaceX

SpaceX is heading to the Nasdaq — and it could make Elon Musk the world's first trillionaire. In Episode 120 of Bulls vs Bears, the MPC Markets team unpacks the SpaceX IPO: valuation, timeline, and a total addressable market of $28.5 trillion (that's 25% of global GDP).We also dig into NVIDIA's record earnings and why explosive growth might have a ceiling, Anthropic hitting $10 billion in monthly revenue ahead of schedule, the Cerebras "wafer-scale" chip that's redefining AI inference, Elon's plan to build data centers on the moon using Optimus robots, bond yields flashing red at 5.9% on the 30-year while equity markets look the other way, private credit defaults at a record high, and the collapse of Australian property investor demand following negative gearing changes.Plus — next week we're joined by a guest breaking down how you can get pre-IPO SpaceX exposure right now through blockchain prediction markets.New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss a market-moving conversation.Powered by MPC Markets | Discover Mosaic at mpcmarkets.com.au — portfolio and trade ideas in one place.

May 15, 2026Episode 11943 min

GPUs CPUs TPUs rocket higher on I.O.U's

Bulls vs Bears: GPUs, CPUs & TPUs Rocket Higher on IOUs | AI Chip Financing Exposed + ASX Budget ReactionIn this week's episode of Bulls vs Bears, Mark Gardner and Kai Chen (JT is on tin-foil leave) dive deep into the explosive semiconductor rally. Nvidia, Micron, AMD, and the entire SOX index are surging — but how much is real demand vs circular vendor financing and IOU accounting?We break down:The complex web of AI chip financing, vendor deals, and backlog accounting between Nvidia, hyperscalers, and startupsCPU vs GPU vs TPU explained simply (perfect for beginners)Cerebras IPO — 30x oversubscribed and up 68% on day oneSoftware Survivors strategy up 243% since early MarchWhy Tesla is now trading like a chip stockMicron's insane run and why we trimmedASX Market Update:Banks hammered post-Budget, resources surging (52% reversal since we called the rotation in Sept 2024)Gold/Silver moves, copper strength, and BHP's relative underperformanceFull Australian Federal Budget breakdown: Capital gains tax changes, negative gearing, trust restructures — what it means for investors and propertyPlus: Bulls vs Bears scoreboard, Kai Chen turning bearish, and why the market feels frothy yet unstoppable.Timestamps:00:00 Intro & Semiconductor Madness05:30 Circular AI Financing Explained12:45 CPU vs GPU vs TPU Breakdown22:00 ASX Rotation & Budget Impact35:00 Bulls vs Bears CallsA high-energy (slightly exhausted) look at the AI boom, market rotations, and what’s next for investors.Keywords: Nvidia stock, AI chips, semiconductor rally, SOX index, Cerebras IPO, Australian Budget 2026, capital gains tax, negative gearing, ASX resources, Tesla stock, Micron, GPU explained, vendor financingFeeling lost in these markets? Check out Mosaic by MPC Markets — clear portfolio guidance and trade ideas in one place.Subscribe for weekly Bulls vs Bears, market recaps, and investing strategies from Australia’s sharpest minds.#Nvidia #AIStocks #ASX #Semiconductors #Investing

May 8, 2026Episode 11847 min

EP118: Peace, Love and Semiconductors

Mark, Kai and JT from MPC Markets are back for Episode 118 of Bulls vs Bears: “Peace, Love and Semiconductors.”This week, the team breaks down record highs across global equity markets, the ASX lagging after the RBA, oil’s sharp moves, sticky inflation, rising bond yields, and the relentless semiconductor and AI trade. They also dig into Nvidia, data centres, market concentration, thematic ETFs, commodities, and why structured index exposure may be a smarter core strategy than chasing the next hype stock.Markets are hot, risk is rising, and the boys have plenty to say.Subscribe for weekly market commentary from MPC Markets.

May 1, 2026Episode 11744 min

EP117 Datacentres Baby!

Mark's living his best life on a boat in Cairns, so Kai and JT are joined this week by crypto-turned-TradFi convert Finn Jadel. The verdict? If you're not building data centres, you're falling behind — and the market is making that very clear.This week the team breaks down Google's blockbuster earnings (spoiler: it's all about the infrastructure), digs into Meta's AI talent war and its ongoing $80B Metaverse hangover, and debates whether the US economy would even be growing at all without the data centre CapEx boom. They also cover the Strait of Hormuz signal hiding in the oil futures curve, what the RBA is likely to do next Tuesday, and why the NASDAQ, S&P and Dow hitting record highs at the same time might not be as bullish as it looks.Plus — Finn walks through MPC Markets' "Buy the Dip" structured product, Kai reveals he's three points clear on the scoreboard, and JT confirms he is going full bear purely out of spite.

April 24, 2026Episode 11648 min

EP116 (Tinfoil Hat Edition): Trump, Mad Genius or Just Mad?

In this extra-spiky, conspiracy-laden edition of Bulls vs. Bears, the hosts don their tinfoil hats (and look suspiciously like Hershey’s Kisses) to explore whether Trump is a strategic mastermind or simply unhinged. They open with the usual market recap—oil grinding toward $96, refinery fires popping up worldwide, and brutal sell-offs in high-quality Aussie names—before plunging headfirst into three wildly compelling theories tying peak oil, Jared Kushner’s family ties, and a Bitcoin debt-destruction gambit to current events in the Strait of Hormuz.Key Takeaways:Market snapshot: Oil prices climbing, Strait of Hormuz traffic near zero, mysterious refinery fires in non-conflict nations (US, India, Australia, Pakistan, Mexico), plus sharp moves in Cochlear (-45%), CSL, and tech earnings.JT’s Peak Oil Conspiracy: US military and DoD see shale peaking; theory that America is deliberately prolonging the Strait closure to starve China and the rest of the world of affordable energy while securing its own low-cost supply advantage.Kai’s Kushner-Netanyahu Theory: Decades-long family friendship between the Kushners and Benjamin Netanyahu, Abraham Accords architect Jared Kushner, and the $2B Saudi sovereign fund investment into his private-equity firm Affinity Partners.Trump Bitcoin Gambit: Crypto-friendly Trump family allegedly accumulating seized Bitcoin to nuke the USD, inflate BTC to millions per coin, then use profits to pay down trillions in US debt.Bullish/Bearish calls & lunar-cycle banter: Hosts reveal their weekly market bets live; JT bearish on energy geopolitics, others bullish on market resilience and upcoming Mag-7 earnings.“Buy the Dip” strategy: Statistically compelling midterm-election-cycle trade—sell overvalued index ETFs now and deploy capital-efficient dip-buying for the historically strong post-May rebound.

April 17, 2026Episode 11541 min

EP115: if you say it enough times, it must be true

a market that continues to hit record highs despite ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, high energy prices, and rising cost-of-living pressures, with skepticism toward repeated claims of an imminent peace deal. They note the divergence between a euphoric equity market (particularly the Mag Seven) and more cautious signals from bonds and energy markets, while highlighting strong performance in lithium and uranium amid supply concerns. The episode covers Australian bank earnings driven by trading revenues, potential buying opportunities in Viva Energy after a refinery fire, Netflix’s weak outlook, and speculative AI-themed stock surges reminiscent of dot-com era hype. Valuation metrics show the market more overvalued than in November, with historical patterns suggesting a likely 10%+ pullback in the midterm election year. The hosts maintain a “high conviction do nothing” stance for now but promote their “Buy the Dip” strategy targeting the typical mid-year weakness, while voting mixed on next week’s market direction amid light data and ongoing earnings.6 One-Sentence Bullet Points:The equity market remains at record highs driven by the Mag Seven despite persistent Middle East conflicts, high oil/gas prices, and consumer cost pressures equivalent to a full percentage point rate hike.Australian banks reported solid earnings boosted by trading volumes, while Netflix was hit hard after beating estimates due to a poor content outlook and chairman departure.Viva Energy is viewed as a buying opportunity after its refinery fire, given Australia’s reduced refining capacity makes it almost “essential infrastructure.”A former wool sneaker company (Allbirds) rebranded to Newbird AI and surged 900%+ on a pivot to GPU-as-a-service, highlighting ongoing speculative froth in AI stocks.Key valuation indicators including the Shiller CAPE and Buffett Indicator show US equities more overvalued now than in November, with historical data pointing to a high probability of a 10%+ correction in midterm election years.The hosts are promoting a “Buy the Dip” strategy timed for the typical May–October weakness in midterm years, while leaning slightly bullish or neutral for next week due to positive technicals and earnings season.

April 10, 2026Episode 11246 min

EP114: Peace in the Middle East

In this week's Bulls vs Bears episode, the hosts discuss the chaotic Middle East conflict, Trump's rapid "fake ceasefire" announcement via Pakistan, and its immediate market impact, while expressing skepticism over its longevity given the region's history of broken agreements. They analyze the sharp equity rebound despite ongoing oil supply risks, debate AI safety concerns surrounding Anthropic's delayed model release and potential regulation, review technical chart similarities to past bear market rallies, and share their bearish outlook for the week ahead amid geopolitical uncertainty.6 Key Takeaways:Trump orchestrated a quick but fragile ceasefire in the Middle East that boosted markets short-term, though hosts doubt its sustainability with a 100% historical failure rate for such agreements.Equity markets rebounded sharply toward record highs despite minimal actual changes in oil flows or conflict resolution.Bitcoin may gain legitimacy or see supply dynamics shift if used for sanctioned payments like Strait of Hormuz tolls.Anthropic's decision to delay its powerful new AI model due to safety risks could slow the SaaS sector and invite regulatory scrutiny from the Fed and Treasury.Technical charts show concerning similarities to past post-shock rallies that failed, making hosts wary of buying at current elevated levels.All three hosts remain bearish heading into next week, citing risks of renewed conflict, especially involving Israel and potential Iranian efforts to humiliate Trump.