Why Did the S&P 500 Hit A New High? (And Is It Sustainable?)

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Did the S&P 500 Hit A New High?  (And Is It Sustainable?)
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Does the Big, Beautiful Bill Pass and Further Support Growth?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  The Big Three Reports This Week:  Jobs Report (Thurs), ISM Manufacturing & Services PMIs

Futures are modestly higher on further progress on passing the “Big, Beautiful Bill” (which would extend and increase ta cuts, further supporting economic growth).

The “Big Beautiful Bill” passed a key procedural vote over the weekend and passage out of the Senate is expected later today (and it could be law by the end of the week).

Economically, the June Chinese manufacturing and service PMIs were slightly better than expected.

Today there is one economic report (Chicago PMI (E: 42.7)) and two Fed speakers, Bostic (10:00 a.m. ET) and Goolsbee (1:00 p.m. ET) but they shouldn’t move markets.  Instead, focus will remain on Washington and if passage of the Big, Beautiful Bill becomes even more likely (meaning it passes the Senate and there’s no major pushback from House members) that should further add to the upward momentum in the market.

Mixed Messages from Market Breadth

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Mixed Messages from Market Breadth

Futures are modestly higher mostly on momentum and continued optimism on trade/tariffs.

The U.S. and China officially signed the recently negotiated trade agreement and Commerce Secretary Lutnick teased 10 more trade deals that could be announced soon.

Economically, Euro Zone Economic Sentiment was slightly weaker than expected (94.5 vs. (E) 95.0).

Today focus will turn to inflation via the Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.1% m/m, 2.6% y/y).  Tame inflation readings have underwritten this slightly dovish shift in rate cut expectations, so this number needs to be in-line or weaker than expected to keep those more dovish expectations intact (and support this week’s rally).

In addition to the data, there are two Fed speakers, Williams (7:30 a.m. ET) and Hammack (9:15 a.m. ET) but they shouldn’t move markets.

 

Sevens Report Q2 ’25 Quarterly Letter Coming This Tuesday.

The Sevens Report Quarterly Letter will be released this coming Tuesday (July 1st) and will give subscribers a professional, turn-key quarterly letter ready to send to their clients that explain the market volatility in Q2, provide needed long-term context and strengthens client relationships – all with zero effort on their part.

The Sevens Report Quarterly Letter has passed compliance at some of the biggest firms on the Street and we provide a full refund if the quarterly letter is rejected by compliance, so you literally risk nothing to try it and get the benefits of value-add client communication! 

We use our strength (writing about the markets) to help you:

  • Save time (an average of 4-6 hours per quarterly letter)
  • Show you’re on top of markets with impressive, compelling market analysis and
  • Strengthen client relationships all with little to no work from you!

You can view our Q1 ’25 Quarterly Letter here.

To learn more about the product (including price) please click this link, and if you’re interested in subscribing please email info@sevensreport.com.

Investor Sentiment Update: Not As Bullish as You Might Think

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Investor Sentiment Update:  Not As Bullish as You Might Think

Futures are modestly higher thanks to a dovish WSJ article on the Fed overnight.

The WSJ reported President Trump will employ a “Shadow Fed” strategy and name Powell’s replacement in the coming months.  That replacement is expected to be more dovish than Powell and that’s weighing on the dollar and boosting futures.

Today focus will be on economic data and the key reports to watch include (in order of importance):  Jobless Claims (E: 245K), Durable Goods (E: 0.1%) and Final Q1 GDP (E: -0.2%).  Given this week’s slight dovish drift in the Fed, markets will want to see stable data further the idea of rate cuts in the next two to three months.

Speaking of the Fed, there are several speakers today including Barkin (8:00 a.m. ET), Hammack (9:00 a.m. ET) and Barr (1:15 p.m. ET).  Markets will be looking to see if any of them also float the idea of a July rate cut.  If so, it won’t make a July cut more likely, but it will further solidify expectations for a September cut (which will be a mild tailwind on stocks).

New ETFs for Your Watchlist (June Update)

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • New ETFs for Your Watchlist – June Update
  • Powell Testimony Takeaways
  • Chart – Consumer Confidence Tumbles (Again)

Futures are flat as investors digest reports that the U.S. strikes on Iran nuclear facilities resulted in limited damage while focus remains on Powell’s semi-annual testimony.

There were no noteworthy economic reports overnight and financial news wires were mostly quiet since yesterday’s close.

Today, there is one economic report to watch with New Home Sales (E: 694K) due out just after the bell. Housing data has been trending weaker but that has bolstered dovish money flows so a “hot” print could spark a hawkish reaction and weigh on stocks.

Fed Chair Powell’s semi-annual Congressional testimony continues today at 10:00 a.m. ET which will be a primary focus for markets as investors look for clues as to when the FOMC will resume cutting interest rates.

Moving into the afternoon, there is a 5-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET. Demand has been strong in recent weeks so a weak outcome that sends rates higher is a hawkish risk to watch for that would weigh on risk assets.

Finally, there are a few more late-season earnings reports to watch including PAYX ($1.18), GIS ($0.71), MU ($1.61), and JEF ($0.43).

 

Sevens Report Q2 ’25 Quarterly Letter Coming Next Tuesday

The first half of 2025 has been historically volatile, with tariffs, the Iran/Israel war, no Fed rate cuts and a 14% drop in the S&P 500 in April!

This is the type of environment where investors are anxious and want to hear from their advisor and a quarterly letter is the perfect tool to help demonstrate your market knowledge and differentiate yourself from the competition.

We will be releasing the Q2 2025 Sevens Report Quarterly Letter to subscribers next Tuesday, July 1. 

The Sevens Report Quarterly Letter is a turnkey client communications solution. We use our strength (writing about the markets) to help you:

  • Save time (an average of 4-6 hours per quarterly letter),
  • Show you’re on top of markets with impressive, compelling market analysis, and
  • Strengthen client relationships all with little-to-no work from you.

You can view our Q1 ’25 Quarterly Letter here.

To learn more about the product (including price) please click this link, and if you’re interested in subscribing please email info@sevensreport.com.

What Would Make Markets Care About the Israel-Iran Conflict?

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Would Make Markets Care About the Israel-Iran Conflict?
  • June Flash PMI Takeaways

U.S. equity futures are tracking global shares higher after President Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, greatly reducing geopolitical worries.

Economically, the Business Expectations component of the German Ifo Survey rose to 90.7 vs. (E) 89.8 in June which is adding to optimism that a recession will be avoided in most developed nations in 2025.

Looking into today’s session, there are multiple economic reports due to be released including the Case-Shiller Home Price Index (E: 4.0%), FHFA House Price Index (E: 0.1%), Consumer Confidence (E: 99.0), and Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index (E: -7.0).

There are also multiple Fed speakers on the calendar to watch with Hammack (9:15 & 10:15 a.m. ET), Powell (10:00 a.m. ET), Williams (12:30 p.m. ET),  and Collins (2:05 p.m. ET) all due to deliver remarks today.

Finally, some noteworthy earnings releases to keep an eye on include CCL ($0.24), SNX ($2.56), FDX ($5.93), and BB ($0.00).

Bottom line, the two most important catalysts to watch today will be the Consumer Confidence release with investors looking for a healthy/better than expected headline and easing inflation expectations, and Powell’s Humphrey-Hawkins testimony on Capitol Hill as investors gauge the prospects for a July rate cut (the more dovish expectations are, the better for stocks).

Two Analogies to Explain Tariffs to Clients

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Two Analogies to Explain Tariffs to Clients
  • Weekly Market Preview:  How Does Iran Respond? (And Does That Increase Worries About the Conflict Spreading?)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  More Important Growth Data This Week

Futures are slightly higher despite an increase in geopolitical tensions over the weekend.

The U.S. attacked and destroyed three Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend. But, despite ominous headlines, we are not seeing an increase in oil prices or geopolitical tensions in the markets as fears of the conflict spreading remain low.

Today focus will remain on geopolitics and specifically how Iran responds to the direct U.S. attack.  Despite the headlines about this event, from a market standpoint, unless investors fear the conflict will spread and engulf the entire region and dramatically reduce oil supplies, then rising geopolitical tensions won’t be a material negative on this market.

Economically, there are two notable reports today: Flash Manufacturing PMI (E: 51.1) and the Flash Services PMI (E: 52.9) and markets will want to see stability in both to push back on slowdown fears. On the Fed front, there are multiple speakers today including Bowman (10:00 a.m. ET), Goolsbee (1:10 p.m. ET), Kugler & Williams (2:30 p.m. ET). But, with Powell’s testimony before Congress starting tomorrow, these speakers shouldn’t move markets.

Unknowns Are Weighing on the Markets

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Unknowns Are Weighing on the Markets

Futures are modestly lower as markets still wait for a decision on direct U.S. involvement in the Israel/Iran conflict.

The White House said the President will make a decision on U.S. involvement within two weeks, leaving a potential diplomatic window open.

Economically, UK retail sales were weaker than expected, falling –2.7% vs. (E ) 1.3% while German PPI met expectations (1.2% y/y).

Today focus will be on economic data and the two notable reports are Philly Fed (E: -1.0) and Leading Indicators (E: -0.1%).  As has been the case, the stronger these readings, the better for stocks (it pushes back against the slowdown narrative).

FOMC Technical Preview

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • FOMC Technical Preview
  • Retail Sales Data Takeaways – Signs of Weakness in Consumer Spending

Futures are higher as investors continue to monitor the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and digest largely as expected European inflation data ahead of the Fed.

Economically, Eurozone HICP fell to 1.9% from 2.2%, as expected, while UK CPI edged down to 3.4% vs. (E) 3.5% which is supporting a bid in the global bond market with yields falling moderately in premarket trade.

Today, there are two economic reports to watch: Jobless Claims (E: 244K) which come a day early, and Housing Starts and Permits (E: 1.360M, 1.430M). Another sharp rise in jobless claims could bolster concerns about the health of the labor market but a big reaction from markets is unlikely given the looming Fed decision.

Speaking of which, the primary focus of today’s session will be the FOMC Announcement (2:00 p.m. ET) and Fed Chair Powell’s press conference (2:30 p.m. ET) as investors look for clarity on the future path of monetary policy.

There are two late season earnings releases to watch as well: ACB ($0.11) and KFY  ($1.25) but with the Fed in focus, neither should materially move markets today.

FOMC Meeting Preview

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • FOMC Preview
  • Empire State Manufacturing Survey Takeaways

Futures are lower amid an elevated sense of market uncertainty after President Trump left the G-7 summit early as tensions between Israel and Iran remain elevated.

Economically, Economic Sentiment within the latest German ZEW Survey rose from 25.2 to 47.5 vs. (E) 31.3, however European stocks are trading with a heavy tone amid the elevated geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Today, there are several noteworthy economic reports to watch including: Retail Sales (E: -0.6%), Import & Export Prices (E: -0.3%, -0.1%),  Industrial Production (E: 0.1%), Business Inventories (E: 0.0%), and the Housing Market Index (E: 36).

Beyond the economic data, the June FOMC meeting gets underway today which should prompt a sense of “Fed paralysis” as investors await clarity on the future path of monetary policy.

Finally, there are two late-season earnings releases to watch: JBL ($2.15) and LZB ($0.93) but neither should move the broad markets as focus shifts to the Fed decision.

Why Are Markets Ignoring Scary Headlines?

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Are Markets Ignoring Scary Headlines?
  • Weekly Market Preview: Does the Fed Signal Rate Cuts Ahead?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet: Is Consumer Spending Losing Momentum?

Futures are modestly higher as geopolitical risks didn’t rise substantially over the weekend while Chinese economic data was stronger than expected.

Geopolitically, the Israel/Iran conflict escalated as the two countries exchanged attacks over the weekend, but there are no signs it’s spiraling into a broader regional conflict and that’s keeping geopolitical concerns anchored.

Economically, Chinese retail sales rose 6.4% y/y vs. (E) 4.9%, pushing back on concerns of a dramatic slowdown.

Today focus will remain on geo-political headlines but as long as the conflict stays limited between Israel and Iran, it’s unlikely to materially impact the markets.  Outside of geopolitics, the notable report today is the June Empire Manufacturing Survey (-7.3) and markets will want to see stable data and declining prices (further pushing back on stagflation fears).