Sean Aylmer

We had three rate cuts last year, three rate hikes this year.

That's actually quite a lot of movement in monetary policy.

When asked about the capital gains tax and negative gearing changes, she said they can affect supply, but she thinks the bigger impact will be on the share of housing owned by owner occupiers, adding that more work needs to be done to improve the supply of housing.

That is the bottom line for our housing market.

We need more houses.

She went on to say that the tax changes are seeking to address intergenerational equity, and in part, they will boost productivity by supporting innovation.

Not sure about that one.

Yeah, very interesting, man.

Not helping the market yesterday.

The Middle East at one point looked like negotiations were progressing.

And then, of course, there's a renewal of fighting.

Oil prices eased slightly yesterday.

It was another tough day for the banks with the big four all ending lower.

In fact, all of the top 10 stocks in the BORST finished down yesterday.

The defensive stocks, or at least some of the defensive stocks, companies like CSL, Woolies, some of the other health care companies did best.

Yeah, I mean, it's about 45% of its highs, 40, 45% of its highs.

Gold's been relatively steady in recent times, trading around $44.30 an ounce.

The Aussie dollar is buying just over 71 US cents.

Given the strength in the US dollar against all currencies, it's like on a trade-weighted basis, it's at about a two-month high.

The Aussie is actually holding up pretty well.