Takeaways from OpenAI’s Secondary Offering (More Evidence of An AI Bubble?)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Takeaways from OpenAI’s Secondary Offering (More Evidence of An AI Bubble?)

Futures are slightly higher following another quiet night of news, as there was no notable progress on resolving the government shutdown overnight.

Economic data from Europe was mixed as the EU Services PMI as essentially in-line (51.3 vs. (E) 51.4) and rose since August, while the UK reading was weak, falling to 50.8 vs. (E) 51.9, a solid drop from the 54.2 August level.  That will add to anxiety about the UK economy.

Today there is no jobs report because of the slowdown so all the focus will be on the ISM Services PMI (E: 51.6) and the key for this number is to stay above 50.  If it drops below 50, that will add to slowdown concerns (although don’t be shocked by another “bad is good” rally in the short term).

There are also two Fed speakers today, Logan (1:30 p.m. E.T) and Jefferson (1:40 p.m. ET) but they shouldn’t move markets.

 

When We’ll Know If the Labor Market Is a Problem

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • When We’ll Know If the Labor Market Is a Problem
  • What the Negative ADP Jobs Report Means for Markets

Futures are marginally higher following a mostly quiet night of news.

Politically, there are reports of back-channel negotiations occurring to end the government shutdown and a prolonged shutdown is not expected, although no resolution is imminent (and that’s still ok from a market standpoint).

Economically, Eurozone Unemployment slightly missed estimates (6.3% vs. (E) 6.2%).

Today there will be no jobless claims because of the shutdown so the key economic reports will be Challenger Job Cuts (E: 86k) and Factory Orders (E: 1.4%) while we also have one Fed speakers, Logan (10:30 a.m. ET).  Given yesterday’s negative ADP report, a spike in Challenger layoffs will create additional anxiety about the labor market (and possibly weigh on stocks more than ADP did initially on Wednesday).

 

What the Government Shutdown Means for Markets

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What the Government Shutdown Means for Markets
  • JOLTS & Case Shiller HPI Takeaways

Markets are trading with a risk-off tone this morning as stock futures are lower, bonds are steady and gold broke out to record highs above $3,900 after the government shutdown for the first time since 2018 at midnight.

Economically, the final Eurozone Manufacturing PMI for September edged up to 49.8 vs. (E) 49.5 while the EU’s Core CPI Flash met estimates at 2.3% y/y but the data is not materially impacting markets with the government shutdown news dominating headlines.

While the implications of the government shutdown will remain top of news, there are multiple important economic reports today including the ADP Employment Report (E: 50K), ISM Manufacturing PMI (E: 49.0), and Construction Spending (E: -0.1%). There is also one Fed official scheduled to speak: Barkin (12:15 p.m. ET).

Some late season earnings to watch include reports from CAG ($0.33) and RPM ($1.87), however, the government shutdown is likely to continue to dominate the newswires today so any signs of progress towards some sort of spending agreement in Congress would likely spark a relief rally while rising political tensions that could prolong the shutdown could prompt further losses in risk assets.

 

The Sector Winner from a “Run-Hot” Economy

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • The Sector Winner From a “Run-Hot” Economy
  • Pending Home Sales Takeaways

Futures are lower and bonds are rallying modestly amid the growing threat of a government shutdown this week.

Economically, China’s official Manufacturing PMI edged up 0.4 points to 49.8 vs. (E) 49.6 in September.

Today kicks off jobs week with the August JOLTS report (E: 7.100 million) due out shortly after the bell. The closer the headline is to estimates, the better as a too-hot or too-cold print could weigh on already shaky markets amid the government shutdown worries.

Additionally, Consumer Confidence (E: 96.0), the Case-Shiller Home Price Index (E: -0.2%), the FHFA House Price Index (E: 6.7%), and Chicago PMI (E: 43.5) will all be released today.

There are a handful of Fed speakers today: Collins (9:00 a.m. ET), Goolsbee (1:30 p.m. ET), and Logan (7:10 p.m. ET), and the more dovish their tone, the better for markets as two more rate cuts in 2025 are still largely priced in.

Finally, there are a few late-season earnings releases to watch: PAYX ($1.21), UNFI ($-0.22), NKE ($0.28).

 

Why the Bullish Argument Got Slightly Weaker Last Week

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why the Bullish Argument Got Slightly Weaker Last Week
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Does Goldilocks Data Keep the Rally Going?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  The “Big Three” Monthly Economic Reports this Week

Futures are solidly higher following a quiet weekend and despite no progress on averting a government shutdown.

Chances of a partial government shutdown starting Wednesday are rising and if that occurs, the biggest impact for markets will be via delayed data (possibly including Friday’s jobs report).

There were no material economic reports overnight.

Today focus will be on any progress on averting a shutdown (a shutdown wouldn’t be a material market negative, but it’s definitely something the market could do without).

Economically, the only notable report is Pending Home Sales (E: 0.2%) while there are several Fed speakers:  Hammack (8:00 a.m. ET), Musalem & Williams (1:30 p.m. ET).  Bottom line, solid data and dovish Fed speak is what the market needs not just today, but all week, to rebound from last week’s declines.

 

Technical Trends in the Economic Data

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Technical Trends in the Economic Data

Futures are little changed following a flurry of new tariff announcements overnight.

The administration announced several new tariffs on specific industries, most notably pharmaceuticals and semiconductors.

While the tariff headlines appear negative, the announcements include provisions to reduce the practical impact, they aren’t materially impacting markets.

Today focus will be on further dissecting the tariff announcements (as long as there are “outs” for companies, the announcements won’t be direct negative influences on markets) but also on inflation, as we get the Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.2% m/m, 2.9% y/y), and the inflation expectations in Consumer Sentiment (1-Yr Inflation Expectations: 4.8%, 5-Yr. Inflation Expectations: 3.0%).  Markets need inflation data to stay stable to continue to support rate cut hopes, so in-line to slightly soft numbers will be welcomed by markets (and a hot number would be a negative headwind).

Turning to the Fed, there are two speakers today:  Barkin (9:00 a.m. ET) and Bowman (1:00 p.m. ET) but they shouldn’t move markets.

 

A Surprising Sentiment Update

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • A Surprising Sentiment Update

Futures are little changed following a generally quiet night of news and ahead of several economic reports today.

Economically, there were no notable reports overnight.

After two quiet days in the market, today brings a busy calendar of economic data and Fed speak.

Economically, there are numerous reports today including, in order of importance,  Jobless Claims (E: 238K), Durable Goods (E: -0.5%). Final Q2 GDP (E: 3.3%) and Existing Home Sales (E: 3.95 million).  With the Fed now cutting rates, the stronger the data, the better (especially for jobless claims).

Turning to the Fed, there’s a parade of speakers today but none of them are Fed leadership.  Nonetheless, their general tone on future rate cuts will matter and the more dovish the commentary, the better.  Speakers today include: Goolsbee (8:20 a.m. ET), Schmid (9:00 a.m. ET), Bowman (10:00 a.m. ET), Barr (1:00 p.m. ET), Logan (1:40 p.m. ET) and Daly (3:30 p.m. ET).

Finally, earnings continue and some notable reports today include: ACN ($2.98), JBL ($2.81), COST ($5.82).

 

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is Valuation a Problem for the Market (Yes & No)
  • September Flash PMI Takeaways

Futures are rebounding from yesterday’s Powell-induced declines with tech leading as MU reported solid Q3 earnings while BABA announced a $50B AI investment overnight.

Economically, Germany’s Ifo Survey disappointed across the board with the headline Business Climate down to 87.7 vs. (E) 89.1.

Today, there is one economic report to watch: New Home Sales (E: 649K) and one Fed official scheduled to speak: Daly (4:10 p.m. ET).

The Treasury will hold a 4-Month Bill auction (11:30 a.m. ET) and a 5-Yr Note auction (1:00 p.m. ET) today, and as has been the case recently, the results have the potential to move fixed income markets/Fed policy expectations and ultimately could impact stocks.

Additionally, there are a few more noteworthy earnings releases due out today including: CTAS ($1.19), THO ($1.16), KBH ($1.50).

 

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New ETFs to Watch and AI-Bubble Update

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • More Bubble Signs? OpenAI and NVDA Partnership
  • New ETFs for Your Watchlist

Futures are little changed as traders digest mixed EU Flash PMI data and await fresh comments from Fed Chair Powell today.

Economically, the EU Composite PMI Flash rose to 51.2 vs. (E) 50.9 with the Services Index notably rising to 51.4 vs. (E) 50.5 however the Manufacturing index disappointed.

Today, there are two economic reports to watch in the U.S., both of which will print shortly after the open: PMI Composite Flash (E: 53.0) and the Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index (E: -10).

The Fed’s speaker circuit will remain fairly busy today with Bowman (9:00 a.m. ET) and Bostic (10:00 a.m. ET) speaking this morning before focus will turn to commentary from Powell (12:35 p.m. ET) mid-day.

Additionally, there is a 2-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET that could move bond yields and ultimately impact equities if there are any surprises regarding demand metrics (the stronger the demand the better for stocks).

Finally, some late season earnings reports continue to trickle in with notables reporting today including AZO ($50.52) and MU ($2.69).

 

Understanding Why Stocks Hit New Highs

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Understanding Why Stocks Hit New Highs
  • Weekly Market Preview: Does Goldilocks Growth and Inflation Data Continue?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet: September Flash PMIs Tuesday, Core PCE Price Index Friday are Key Reports

Futures are modestly lower as markets digested last week’s new highs following a mostly quiet weekend of news.

Politically, the U.S. government could shut down this Friday and that is weighing slightly on markets, although we don’t view any temporary, partial shutdown as a risk to the rally.

There was no notable economic data overnight.

Today the only economic report is the Chicago Fed National Activity Index (E: -0.19) and it’s unlikely to move markets, so focus instead will be on the Fed.

There are several Fed speakers today and the most important of them is Williams at 9:45 a.m. ET.  If Williams embraces two additional rate cuts this year, that should help support markets.  More broadly, markets will want to see dovish tones from most Fed speakers going forward, confirming the Fed intends several more rate cuts.  Other Fed speakers today include: Musalem (10:00 a.m. ET), Hammack (12:00 p.m. ET) and Barkin (12:00 p.m. ET).