What war?

Major US indices hit fresh record highs yesterday but the contrast between market prices and fundamentals is striking. Geopolitical tensions remain elevated, energy markets are volatile and macro data is starting to show strain. Yet risk assets continue to climb, driven less by the physical economy and more by narrative momentum—especially around AI and long-term productivity gains. The growing gap raises a broader question—are markets still pricing reality, or expectations? 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.