Laura Bessarati

We're not sure what's going to happen, but yeah, a lot of contradictory statements, but things are looking good, at least at the moment now.

And I think that's what's kept markets a little bit calmer, but uninspiring, cautious, you know, just taking a breather, as you said, and just waiting to get more concrete information, I think.

Yeah, and I think consumer discretionary is doing worse today because there was a broken note out that warned of a prolonged period of elevated oil prices and rising interest rates driven by the war could actually impact earnings until June 2027.

That's just the opinion of one broker, but that certainly has been weighing on some of the retail stocks in today's session.

In fact, if we have a look at the worst performers today,

Templin Webster, the online furniture retailer, is currently doing worst.

It's down around 6.5%.

Harvey Norman is also within the top 10 losers.

It's down by around 3% as we speak.

We should also mention energy stocks because, of course, they've been a big topic of discussion since the conflict began.

At the moment, we are seeing the energy sector down by roughly half of 1%.

So last night we did see oil prices actually lifting, but they have trimmed gains today.

They're back down.

after President Trump voiced that optimism about a potential agreement to end the conflict with Iran.

So still very much volatile.

And if we look at where they're sitting at the moment, they are below 100 US a barrel.

They did approach 120 US a barrel, you know, at the peak of the conflict.

Shares of Viva Energy remain in a trading halt after a major fire broke out at its Geelong refinery two nights ago, which is one of just two oil refineries remaining in Australia.

Now, while about 40% of petrol production has been impacted, the company says supply disruption should be manageable today.

with imports helping to fill the gap.