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Markets are navigating a fragile calm. The Middle East ceasefire extension isn’t enough to anchor sentiment, as oil volatility persists and uncertainty around supply dynamics lingers. Yet, despite rising energy prices, the US consumer refuses to crack—fueling higher yields and pushing back rate cut expectations.

Across assets, conviction is thin: equities are mixed, the dollar is losing momentum, and investors are increasingly focused on what comes next. With earnings season kicking off, all eyes turn to Tesla—not for the numbers, but for its AI narrative and long-term growth story.

Is this just noise… or the start of something bigger?

Listen to learn more!

Ipek Ozkardeskaya has begun her financial career in 2010 in the structured products desk of the Swiss Banque Cantonale Vaudoise. She worked at HSBC Private Bank in Geneva in relation to high and ultra-high net worth clients. In 2012, she started as FX Strategist at Swissquote Bank. She worked as a Senior Market Analyst in London Capital Group in London and in Shanghai. She returned to Swissquote Bank as Senior Analyst in 2020, and launched her own website ipekScope.com in 2025.

Oil spikes, then pulls back. Markets sell off, then bounce. Is this the same pattern all over again?

This week kicked off with renewed Middle East tensions shaking sentiment, but the real story may lie beneath the surface. Despite supply risks and ongoing disruptions, oil prices are struggling to hold their gains — pointing to something deeper: demand destruction may already be kicking in.

Meanwhile, equities — especially tech and AI names — continue to show resilience, brushing off macro uncertainty and geopolitical noise. Are investors underestimating the risks, or correctly looking through the volatility?

With key US data ahead and Kevin Warsh’s Senate hearing in focus, markets are searching for direction. But in an environment where headlines shift daily, one question remains:

Is this just another “hope-driven” rally — or something more durable?

Listen to find out more!

Ipek Ozkardeskaya has begun her financial career in 2010 in the structured products desk of the Swiss Banque Cantonale Vaudoise. She worked at HSBC Private Bank in Geneva in relation to high and ultra-high net worth clients. In 2012, she started as FX Strategist at Swissquote Bank. She worked as a Senior Market Analyst in London Capital Group in London and in Shanghai. She returned to Swissquote Bank as Senior Analyst in 2020, and launched her own website ipekScope.com in 2025.

Markets are walking a tightrope. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have flared up again, sending oil prices higher and raising fresh questions about global stability. Oil is up, US and European markets are pressured but Asian tech heavy indices are holding up well thanks to encouraging AI news of late.

This week, earnings season is picking up pace, with major companies about to report. Can strong results offset the pressure from higher oil and ongoing conflict?

Listen to find out more!

Ipek Ozkardeskaya has begun her financial career in 2010 in the structured products desk of the Swiss Banque Cantonale Vaudoise. She worked at HSBC Private Bank in Geneva in relation to high and ultra-high net worth clients. In 2012, she started as FX Strategist at Swissquote Bank. She worked as a Senior Market Analyst in London Capital Group in London and in Shanghai. She returned to Swissquote Bank as Senior Analyst in 2020, and launched her own website ipekScope.com in 2025.

For decades, the US dollar has been the undisputed anchor of the global financial system. But what happens if that dominance starts to crack — even slightly? And could the euro step in?

From the weaponisation of finance to rising US deficits and a more fragmented global trade system, the foundations of dollar dominance are being quietly challenged. Europe sees an opportunity: a stronger international euro could reduce imported inflation, lower transaction costs, deepen capital markets and increase financial autonomy.

But the path is far from simple. Without a unified fiscal system, a true safe asset comparable to US Treasuries, and stronger political cohesion, the euro still faces major structural limits.

This isn’t about replacing the dollar — it’s about reshaping the balance.

Listen to find out more!

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Ipek Ozkardeskaya has begun her financial career in 2010 in the structured products desk of the Swiss Banque Cantonale Vaudoise. She worked at HSBC Private Bank in Geneva in relation to high and ultra-high net worth clients. In 2012, she started as FX Strategist at Swissquote Bank. She worked as a Senior Market Analyst in London Capital Group in London and in Shanghai. She returned to Swissquote Bank as Senior Analyst in 2020, and launched her own website ipekScope.com in 2025.

When investors talk about “the market,” they are usually referring to an index. But what exactly are stock market indices, and why have they become such a powerful tool for investors? In this episode, we break down how major benchmarks like the S&P 500, FTSE 100, DAX, and CAC 40 work. We also explore how indices reflect different economies, why diversification matters, and how investors can gain exposure through ETFs or futures. From technology-driven US markets to commodity-heavy indices, discover how tracking the right index can help shape a smarter investment strategy.

Listen to find out more!

Ipek Ozkardeskaya has begun her financial career in 2010 in the structured products desk of the Swiss Banque Cantonale Vaudoise. She worked at HSBC Private Bank in Geneva in relation to high and ultra-high net worth clients. In 2012, she started as FX Strategist at Swissquote Bank. She worked as a Senior Market Analyst in London Capital Group in London and in Shanghai. She returned to Swissquote Bank as Senior Analyst in 2020, and launched her own website ipekScope.com in 2025.

Silver is often grouped with gold as a “precious metal” — but that label can be misleading. Unlike gold, silver is not a safe haven. It behaves more like a cyclical asset, driven by industrial demand rather than financial stress. With roughly half of global demand coming from sectors like electronics, solar panels, and electric vehicles, silver is deeply tied to economic growth and the energy transition.

That makes its price sensitive not just to macro conditions and interest rates, but also to the US dollar and broader commodity cycles. On top of that, supply dynamics are complex, as most silver is produced as a by-product of other metals like copper and zinc.

From the gold-silver ratio to futures market structure, silver is volatile, nuanced, and often misunderstood — offering opportunity, but not protection.

Listen to find out more!

Ipek Ozkardeskaya has begun her financial career in 2010 in the structured products desk of the Swiss Banque Cantonale Vaudoise. She worked at HSBC Private Bank in Geneva in relation to high and ultra-high net worth clients. In 2012, she started as FX Strategist at Swissquote Bank. She worked as a Senior Market Analyst in London Capital Group in London and in Shanghai. She returned to Swissquote Bank as Senior Analyst in 2020, and launched her own website ipekScope.com in 2025.

In the first episode of a series focused on commodities, we dive into the world of crude oil in this special episode, break down the key factors shaping oil prices — from global supply and demand dynamics to geopolitics, US dollar moves, interest rates and economic growth. Learn how OPEC+, US shale and top consumers like China, the US, and India influence market balance and imbalances. We also explore trading strategies: spot markets, futures, equities and energy ETFs, highlighting risks, opportunities and the nuances of the market structure.

Listen to find out more!

Ipek Ozkardeskaya has begun her financial career in 2010 in the structured products desk of the Swiss Banque Cantonale Vaudoise. She worked at HSBC Private Bank in Geneva in relation to high and ultra-high net worth clients. In 2012, she started as FX Strategist at Swissquote Bank. She worked as a Senior Market Analyst in London Capital Group in London and in Shanghai. She returned to Swissquote Bank as Senior Analyst in 2020, and launched her own website ipekScope.com in 2025.

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Natural gas is one of the most important — and often misunderstood — energy commodities in the world. While oil usually dominates the conversation, natural gas plays a crucial role in heating homes, fueling power plants, supporting industrial activity and acting as a bridge fuel in the global energy transition.

In this episode, we explore how natural gas markets actually work. Why are there different regional prices? Why can gas prices diverge dramatically between the US, Europe and Asia? And how do traders and investors gain exposure to natural gas through futures, ETFs, or energy companies?

Listen to find out more!

Ipek Ozkardeskaya has begun her financial career in 2010 in the structured products desk of the Swiss Banque Cantonale Vaudoise. She worked at HSBC Private Bank in Geneva in relation to high and ultra-high net worth clients. In 2012, she started as FX Strategist at Swissquote Bank. She worked as a Senior Market Analyst in London Capital Group in London and in Shanghai. She returned to Swissquote Bank as Senior Analyst in 2020, and launched her own website ipekScope.com in 2025.

US equities surged nearly 3% on renewed hopes that tensions between the US and Iran could ease, lifting investor sentiment across global markets. Oil prices pulled back, the US dollar weakened, and the euro gained as traders reassessed central bank expectations. A more cautious tone from the Federal Reserve, combined with softer US economic data, contrasted with rising inflation pressures in Europe—fueling moves in FX markets.

But is this rally built to last? Much will depend on energy prices and whether geopolitical risks continue to ease or flare up again. With the Strait of Hormuz remaining a key pressure point – and closed ! - volatility could return quickly.

Meanwhile, equity markets—especially cheapened tech valuations – look increasingly appetizing to investors.

Listen to find out more!

Ipek Ozkardeskaya has begun her financial career in 2010 in the structured products desk of the Swiss Banque Cantonale Vaudoise. She worked at HSBC Private Bank in Geneva in relation to high and ultra-high net worth clients. In 2012, she started as FX Strategist at Swissquote Bank. She worked as a Senior Market Analyst in London Capital Group in London and in Shanghai. She returned to Swissquote Bank as Senior Analyst in 2020, and launched her own website ipekScope.com in 2025.