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S&P 500 Hits All-Time High Amid AI & Earnings Momentum

Despite high interest rates, the S&P 500 reached a new record this week, driven by strong earnings from AI-adjacent firms and robust consumer spending data. Companies like NVIDIA and Microsoft continue to lead the charge, with investor optimism holding firm.
Why it matters: Market strength affects hiring sentiment, IPO readiness, and M&A activity — which all impact finance jobs.

Tip: Practice explaining market moves clearly: “Investors rallied around earnings momentum and AI investment optimism despite persistent rate pressures.”

Ken Moelis Steps Down as CEO of Moelis & Company

Ken Moelis co-founded Moelis & Company, one of the top-tier elite boutique investment banks, with Navid Mahmoodzadegan back in 2007. Since then, they have been powerhouse in the industry with an adjusted net income of $150.4 million in 2024. The reason for Ken Moelis’s stepping down is unclear, however he had previously stated that he planned to step down before turning 65 to shift his focus towards mergers and acquisitions. He will be taking on an executive chair position in the company in October. Ken Moelis seems to feel that the bank is in trusted hands with Navid Mahmoodzadegan taking over. In an interview with bloomberg talks, he stated that “This isn’t the end of an era, it’s the start of a new one.”

Student Takeaway: Succession planning in the industry in crucial. The top CEO’s of elite boutiques and bulge brackets almost always have their successors planned out ahead or at-least have an idea of who they want it to be. We even saw this a few weeks ago in the first issue of Campus Capital when we covered Warren Buffet’s retirement. In IB, organizational stability is vital—strategic succession planning builds trust with clients and investors. Take a look back and study the historic careers of some of wall streets finest, you can learn a-lot.

Definition: An accretive acquisition is one where the buyer’s earnings per share (EPS) increase after the deal closes. This typically happens when the acquired company's earnings are high relative to the price paid, or when synergies (cost savings or revenue boosts) enhance profitability. It’s the opposite of a dilutive acquisition, which reduces EPS.

Before recruiting season ramps up, take a few minutes to clean up your digital footprint. Recruiters do Google you. Ensure your LinkedIn is polished, your resume matches your profile, and that your posts (on any platform) reflect the professional image you want to project. It’s simple, but often overlooked. Linked directly below this section, in the “What to Read or Watch” section, is a investment banking resume template from Wall Street Oasis.

You might never know how many opportunities you didn’t get because of something online. First impressions are often digital. Treat LinkedIn as a tool, not just a formality.

Goldman Sachs is leading a $1.6 billion debt financing package for Proofpoint Inc. to support its acquisition of German cloud cybersecurity firm Hornetsecurity. The deal, backed by private equity firm Thoma Bravo, aims to expand Proofpoint’s global footprint in email security and data protection.

Why it Matters:This deal reinforces Goldman Sachs’ dominance in private credit and tech M&A financing, especially in the cybersecurity space, where deal volume remains strong despite broader market tightening.

Student Takeaway:This is a real-world example of how investment banks support acquisitions not just through M&A advisory, but also with tailored debt packages. For students interested in IB or private credit, this showcases how complex financing can be the key to enabling strategic growth.

Tip:When networking or interviewing, cite this deal to show you're following live transactions. Try breaking it down further: Who benefits? What are the risks? Why debt, not equity? Practicing this helps you think like a banker.

Understanding finance is more than memorizing definitions — it’s about seeing how the world moves, how companies think, and how value is created.

Recruiting season is on the horizon, keep learning and stay sharp

Even if you’re an underclassman and think that you don’t have to worry about recruiting until that junior summer or senior year, you’re wrong. Start looking into and researching different companies, industries, firms, banks, etc. if you don’t already know what you want to do.

Welcome to Campus Capital. Each week, we’ll break down the finance world in 5 minutes or less.
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My name is Braunsen Bax, I’m a honors finance and accounting student-athlete at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois (45 mins outside of Chicago). I graduated from Walton High School in Marietta Georgia. Outside of the classroom I compete in the throws events for the Track & Field team, 35 time NCAA DIII national champions. I’ve had a love of finance and the business world since my sophomore year of high school and started Campus Capital to share that love with my community and like minded individuals in a similar position, with similar goals. My mission is to help people like me shape their futures to ensure they reach their goals while being up to date and educated in the Finance industry.