What to Buy If You Want to “Dip a Toe”

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What to Buy If You Want to “Dip a Toe”
  • Flash Composite PMI Data Takeaways

Futures are higher with global shares while oil and bond yields are both sharply lower as investors react to a potential 1-month ceasefire deal between the U.S. and Iran.

Economically, Germany’s Ifo Survey was mixed with Current Conditions flat at 86.7 but Business Expectations fell to 86.0 vs. (E) 88.0 while U.K. CPI was in-line at 3.0% Y/Y.

Today, focus will remain primarily on the U.S.-Iran ceasefire headlines and any further, concrete details surrounding the prospects for a deal will continue to support risk-on money flows.

Additionally, there is one second tiered economic report (delayed due to the government shutdown) due to be released with Import Prices (E: 0.6% m/m) poised to hit ahead of the bell.

There is also a 5-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET, and if demand for the Notes is as weak as it was during yesterday’s 2-Year auction, yields could begin to bleed lower and act as a renewed headwind on equity markets.

Finally, there is one Fed speaker after the bell: Miran (4:10 p.m. ET) and a handful of late season earnings reports that are unlikely to materially impact markets given the geopolitical development of the last 24 hours. Companies reporting include: CHWY ($0.09), PAYX ($1.68), and CTAS ($1.23).

 

Four Reasons the “Pause” Is Not Yet a Bullish Gamechanger

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Four Reasons the “Pause” Is Not Yet a Bullish Gamechanger

Futures are slightly lower this morning while global markets were mixed overnight as investors assessed prospects for a potential ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran.

Economically, the Eurozone’s Flash Composite PMI fell to 50.5 vs. (E) 50.7 in March from 51.9 in February highlighting a potential slowdown in global growth is taking shape.

Looking into today’s session there are several economic reports to watch including the Flash Manufacturing PMI (E: 51.3), the Flash Services PMI (E: 52.1), and the Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index (E: -5.0.).

Additionally, there is one Fed speaker to watch: Barr (6:30 p.m. ET) but his comments will come after the close and therefore will not impact today’s price action but could move futures markets this evening.

Finally, there is a 2-Year Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET and based on the recent rout in the bond market, the stronger the demand the better for stocks in the near-term.

 

Key Technical Signals and Correction Territory

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Key Technical Signals and Correction Territory
  • Weekly Market Preview:  All About Iran – Do We See De-escalation?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Any Signs Higher Oil Is Impacting Growth?

Futures have reversed this morning’s losses and are sharply higher after President Trump announced a pause in strikes on energy infrastructure and cited “productive” talks with Iran.

This comes after President Trump threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants if the Strait of Hormuz was not reopened to ship traffic (he implied a Monday night deadline).

Oil prices fell sharply in response to the U.S-Iran update from the President this morning.

Today focus will remain on the U.S./Iran war and we can continue to expect stocks to trade inversely to the price of oil. So, any signs of de-escalation (including social media posts or actual events) should make oil drop and stocks rebound while any signs of further escalation (again, including social media posts or actual events) will put more pressure on stocks.

Outside of geopolitics, there is one economic report today, Construction Spending (E: 0.1%), but that shouldn’t move markets.

 

Monthly Bitcoin & Crypto Update (March)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Monthly Bitcoin & Crypto Update (March)

Futures are modestly lower as oil rises near $110/bbl amid continued Middle East escalation overnight.

Iran warned of “zero restraint” while attacks have reduced Qatar LNG output invoking force majeure on short-term deliveries and raised risks to regional energy supply.

Economically, German PPI came in at -0.5% m/m vs. (E) 0.3% m/m which continues a trend of easing producer inflation but that’s not moving markets.

Today focus will remain on geopolitics and oil, although it is a Quadruple Witching Options Expiration which could increase volatility into the close.

There are no economic reports or notable earnings today. And Fed Chair Powell will be speaking on Saturday (1:30 p.m. ET).

 

What the Fed Decision Means for Markets

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What the Fed Decision Means for Markets

Futures are little changed as markets digest yesterday’s Fed decision while rising oil prices keep inflation concerns elevated.

Brent Crude Oil is surging after Iranian strikes hit LNG facilities in Qatar and a refinery in Saudi Arabia, raising fears of a broader energy shock.

Economically, the BOJ held rates steady (0.75%) and warned higher oil prices could boost inflation, but that’s not moving markets.

Today focus will be on Jobless Claims (E: 215K), Philly Fed (E: 5.5), and New Home Sales (E: 728K). Markets will want stable data as higher oil prices add to inflation concerns.

Later, the Treasury will auction 4 & 8-Week Bills (11:30 a.m. ET) and 10-Yr TIPS (1:00 p.m. ET). Earnings today include BABA ($1.73), ACN ($2.86), LUNR ($-0.04), FDX ($4.14), and PL ($-0.13).

 

New ETFs for Your Watchlist

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • New ETFs for Your Watchlist (February Launches)

Futures are higher as oil pulls back while investors await the FOMC decision later today.

Oil is lower after an Iraq export deal eased supply concerns, although geopolitical risks remain elevated near the Strait of Hormuz. And chip stocks are helping sentiment after Nvidia said it restarted H200 production for China

Economically, Eurozone CPI met expectations and is not moving markets.

Today focus is squarely on the FOMC decision (2:00 p.m. ET) and Powell’s press conference (2:30 p.m. ET). Markets will want a balanced tone that acknowledges inflation risks without signaling a more hawkish path.

Lastly, we will get earnings reports due from GIS ($0.76), M ($1.53), MU ($8.64), FIVE ($3.99) today.

 

FOMC Preview

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • FOMC Preview
  • Empire State Manufacturing Survey Takeaways

Futures are slightly lower this morning as oil rises near $100/bbl after attacks on Middle East energy infrastructure while investors await the start of the Fed meeting.

Oil is rising after strikes on energy facilities overnight in Iraq and the UAE while uncertainty remains around a U.S.-led effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Economically, German ZEW Economic Sentiment and Eurozone ZEW both missed estimates, but that’s not moving markets.

The Treasury will hold a 6-Week & 52-Week Bill auction at 11:30 a.m. ET and a 20-Yr Bond auction at 1:00 p.m. ET. however, they won’t likely move markets meaningfully.

Finally, earnings season continues with quarterly reports due from ASO ($1.99), TME ($0.21), and LULU ($4.77) today.

 

3 Market Headwinds, 3 Indicators to Watch

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Three Market Problems, Three Indicators to Watch
  • Weekly Market Preview: De-escalation or Not?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet: FOMC Decision the Key Event

Futures are modestly higher after several tankers transited the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, raising hopes the key oil route could reopen.

Rhetoric from both sides continues to downplay the chances of near-term negotiations while reports say the U.S. may form a coalition to escort ships through the Strait.

There were no notable economic reports overnight.

Today focus will be on Empire Manufacturing, Industrial Production (E: 0.1%), and the NAHB Housing Market Index (E: 37). Markets will want to see stable growth data as investors monitor oil prices.

Beyond the data, the Treasury will auction 3 & 6-Month Bills at 11:30 a.m. ET while earnings today include DLTR ($2.53) and BEKE ($0.07).

 

Market Multiple Table Chart: Similarities to March 2025

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Table Chart: Similarities to March 2025

Futures are little changed as markets digest the rise in oil and as there were no material new attacks on oil infrastructure overnight.

Rhetoric from both sides (U.S. and Iran) continue to downplay the chances for a cease-fire in the near term.

Economically, EU Industrial Production missed estimates (-1.5% vs. (E) 0.5%) but that’s not moving markets.

Today focus will remain first and foremost on geo-political headlines and we can expect stocks to continue to trade inversely to the price of oil.

Beyond geopolitics, there are several notable economic reports today including, in order of importance, Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.4% m/m, 3.0% y/y), JOLTS (E: 6.75 million), Durable Goods (E: 0.5%), Final Q4 GDP (E: 1.4%) and Consumer Sentiment (E: 56.2).  If Core PCE and the growth data are better than expectations, that will help support this market.

 

March Market Multiple Table: Two New Risks

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • March Market Multiple Table: Two New Risks

Futures are moderately lower on higher oil prices as Iran continued attacks on tankers in the Persian Gulf.

Iran attacked additional oil tankers overnight, setting at least two tankers ablaze off Iraq and that pushed oil back above $90/bbl, which weighed on futures.

There were no notable economic reports overnight.

Today focus will stay on the war and put simply, the sooner hostilities abate and ships move through the Strait of Hormuz again, the better for markets.  Any progress towards that will pressure oil and boost stocks and any increased attacks on tankers will boost oil and pressure stocks.

Outside of the conflict, there are two notable economic reports today, Jobless Claims (E: 217K) and Housing Starts (E: 1.34M) and the stronger the numbers, the better as the last thing this market needs is a sudden growth scare.

Finally, earnings continue today and some important reports include: ADBE ($4.85), ULTA ($7.99), DG ($1.61) and DKS ($3.36).