Odd peace optimism

Markets are starting the week with an odd sense of optimism despite another roller-coaster weekend for Middle East diplomacy. One moment the Strait of Hormuz is open, the next it's closed, then open again, as US-Iran negotiations begin while geopolitical tensions remain elevated. Yet investors continue to focus on the possibility of a breakthrough. Oil briefly rose above $78 per barrel before retreating, while Asian equities pushed higher on strong technology appetite, a weaker yen, and renewed enthusiasm around AI and robotics. Micron reports earnings this week. With expectations running sky-high, investors will be looking for confirmation that the memory-chip boom still has room to run. 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.