Jobs Report Preview (Important for Fed Rate Cut Expectations)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Report Preview (Important for Fed Rate Cut Expectations)
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are modestly lower on continued elevated geo-political tensions and following mixed economic data.

Geopolitically, markets await the response from Israel to Tuesday’s attack and recent reports are stating it will be more aggressive than in April (increasing escalation risks).

Economically, EU and UK Service PMIs were mixed but both stayed above 50 (and economic positive).

Today focus will remain on economic data and the two key reports are Jobless Claims (E: 225K) and the ISM Services PMI (E: 51.5).  If the reports are close to in-line with expectations, look for a bounce in stocks as that will imply a still solid economy (soft landing) with looming Fed rate cuts (50 bps between now and year-end).

Regarding geopolitics, Israel’s response attack could come at any minute and the key here is whether it’s an aggressive attack on key Iranian military or oil infrastructure, or not.  If so, that could lead to further escalation (negative for the market).  If not, we likely have a repeat of April (where the situation cools down).  Regardless, watch oil.  If it spikes numerous percent (say 3% or more) that will reflect real, elevated geo-political tensions.

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What the Iranian Missile Strike Means for Markets

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What the Iranian Missile Strike Means for Markets
  • ISM Manufacturing Mildly Disappoints
  • JOLTS Top Estimates

Stock futures are lower amid a continued risk-off tone in markets as investors digest negative earnings news and await Israel’s response to Iran’s missile attack on Tuesday.

In corporate news, NKE earnings disappointed as sales fell 10% y/y and guidance was withdrawn ahead of a CEO change, leaving shares down 5% pre-market.

Economically, the Eurozone Unemployment Rate held steady at 6.4% in August, meeting estimates which is having little impact on markets today.

Today, investor focus will be on the ADP Employment Report (E: 121.5K) before the bell as well as a handful of Fed speakers on the schedule through the lunch hour: Hammack (9:00 a.m. ET), Musalem (10:05 a.m. ET), Bowman (11:00 a.m. ET), and Barkin (12:15 p.m. ET).

In addition to the jobs data and Fed chatter, tensions in the Middle East will remain a major focus as further deterioration in the Israel-Iran conflict is likely to weigh further on risk assets and influence flight-to-safety money flows.

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Economic Implications of the Port Strikes

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Will the Port Strike Increase Hard Landing Chances
  • Fed Chair Powell’s Commentary Takeaways (Less-Dovish)

Futures are little changed this morning as investors weigh a favorable decline in EU inflation against news that a dockworkers strike has commenced at East Coast ports.

Economically, the Eurozone Manufacturing PMI fell to 45.0 vs. (E) 44.8 while the EU HICP Flash (their CPI) fell 0.4% to 1.8% vs. (E) 2.0% in September. The sub-2% headline was notably the first below-ECB-target print since 2021.

Looking into today’s session, there are several domestic economic data points that will be in focus including, in order of importance: The ISM Manufacturing PMI (E: 47.0), JOLTS (E: 7.7 million), and Construction Spending (E: -0.3%).

Additionally, there is one Fed speaker on the calendar for the late morning: Bostic (11:00 a.m. ET).

Bottom line, investors will be assessing what the market implications of the East Coast port strike will be as the situation develops today while also looking for more “goldilocks” economic data and a less-hawkish tone from Fed officials in order for the early week stock market gains to hold.

 

Sevens Report Quarterly Letter Delivered Today

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Why the Next Four Weeks Are So Important

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why the Next Four Weeks Are So Important
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Does Data Stay Goldilocks?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Jobs Report Friday, ISM PMIs This Week

Futures are slightly lower as markets digest last week’s rally ahead of a busy week of economic data.

Geo-politically, Mid-East tensions rose further as Israel struck Houthi targets in Yemen, expanding its current campaign.  However, for now this is not impacting stocks.

Economically, Chinese manufacturing and non-manufacturing PMIs underwhelmed, raising expectations for even more stimulus (and boosting Chinese stocks).

There are no important economic reports today (they come later this week) so the most important event today is Powell’s speech at 1:55 p.m. ET.  He’s unlikely to say much new (given the FOMC decision was less than two weeks ago) but a dovish reiteration of policy will likely continue to boost markets in the near term.

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Investor Sentiment Update

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Sentiment Update: Investors Aren’t Wildly Bullish, But They Are Complacent
  • August Durable Goods Come in Better-Than-Feared
  • Jobless Claims Point to Further Resilience in the Labor Market

U.S. stock futures are slightly lower this morning as more positive stimulus news out of China is being offset by a stronger yen following Japanese election results.

The PBOC cut 7-day reverse repo rates to 1.5% from 1.7% as well as lowered bank reserve ratios by another 50 bp which sent stocks in Asia solidly higher with some regional benchmarks advancing the most since 2008.

In Japan, Shigeru Ishiba’s election victory to become the nation’s next Prime Minister spurred a more than 1% rally in the yen as he is a monetary policy hawk. The yen strength is weighing on the global carry trade, specifically U.S. tech stocks in the pre-market.

Looking into today’s session, the most important potential catalysts hits before the bell with the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, Core PCE (E: 0.2% m/m, 2.7% y/y) due out at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Additionally, the latest Consumer Sentiment Report (E: 69.0, 1-Yr Inflation Expectations: 2.7%) will be released at 10:00 a.m. ET and there is one Fed speaker in the early afternoon: Bowman (1:15 p.m.) but Fed speak has been benign this week and is likely to stay that way today.

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Is the VIX Signaling Another Volatility Spike is Coming?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is the VIX Signaling Another Volatility Spike is Coming?

Futures are sharply higher thanks to strong tech earnings, more Chinese stimulus and more global rate cuts.

Micron (MU up 15% pre-market) beat earnings and raised guidance and that’s helping futures rally this morning.

An FT article promised even more Chinese stimulus is coming and that is boosted Asian markets and U.S. futures.

Today there is potentially important economic data and the key reports are:   Jobless Claims (E: 224.5K), Durable Goods (E: 0.1%) and Final Q2 GDP (E: 3.0%).  In-line to better-than-expected readings will help further fuel this rally while weak data, especially in claims and Durable Goods, will increase hard landing fears (and weigh on stocks).

On the Fed front, there are multiple speakers today with most speaking at a Treasury Market Conference (there were so many that it’d take up the whole pre-seven look if we listed them all). The most notable is Powell (9:20 a.m. ET) but don’t expect any of the comments to move markets as the Fed told markets last week what it’s going to do and until the outlook for another 50 bps of easing changes, Fed speak shouldn’t move markets.

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Are Utilities the New AI Stocks?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Are Utilities the New AI Stocks?
  • Chart – Utilities Overtakes Tech Stocks in YTD Performance

Stock futures are slightly lower this morning while international markets were mixed in quiet trading overnight.

Economically, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) raised their 2024 global growth forecast to 3.2% vs. 3.1% in May which saw yields edge higher overnight.

Looking into today’s session, there is one economic report to watch: New Home Sales (E: 700K) and one Fed speaker on the calendar but not until the close: Kugler (4:00 p.m. ET).

The Treasury will hold a 4-Month Bill auction at 11:30 a.m. ET and a 5-Yr Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET. The Note auction has more potential to move markets, especially if demand is weak and yields move higher in reaction (negative for stocks), however the Bill auction could also move short-duration yields and impact stocks today.

Finally, there is one notable tech company reporting earnings today: MU (E: $1.15), but barring a big surprise either way, it is unlikely to move the broader stock market.

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0DTE Options Primer (3 ETF Plays)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • A Primer (and Potential Plays) on 0DTE Options
  • September Flash PMI Takeaways
  • Chart: The Rally in the “Rest of the Market” Is Losing Momentum

U.S. stock futures are tracking most global equity markets higher after the People’s Bank of China announced new stimulus measures to support economic growth overnight.

The PBOC cut a key policy interest rate, reduced bank reserve requirements, and injected more than $100B into the financial system sending Chinese stocks higher by 4%+.

Today, there are three economic reports to watch: Case-Shiller Home Price Index (E: 5.9%), FHFA House Price Index m/m (E: -0.1%), and Consumer Confidence (E: 103.0). After last week’s 50 bp rate cut from the Fed, investors are looking for stable and solid economic data so the risk to markets is underwhelming data this morning.

There is one Fed speaker today: Bowman at 9:00 a.m. ET and investors are increasingly hopeful the FOMC will cut rates by 50 bp again in November in order to pull off a soft landing so any pushback on that idea from Bowman could weigh on risk assets.

Finally, there is a 2-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET. Strong demand (lower yields) will be supportive of a continued rally in stocks while a weak auction (higher yields) could also weigh on equity markets this afternoon.

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Understanding Why the Fed Cut 50 bps

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Understanding Why the Fed Cut 50 bps
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Can Momentum Keep Pushing Markets Higher?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Focus Turns Back to Growth

Futures are slightly higher following a mostly quiet weekend of news and despite soft economic data overnight.

Economically, the EU flash PMIs were weaker than expected as manufacturing declined to 44.8 vs. (E) 45.7 while services nearly broke 50 (falling to 50.5 vs. (E) 52.3).

Geopolitically, Israeli strikes against Hezbollah continued but for now, markets are ignoring the escalation.

Today brings the two most important economic reports of the week vis the Flash Manufacturing PMI (E: 48.5) and Flash Services PMI (E: 55.3).  Numbers that meet or modestly exceed estimates should keep last week’s rally going while very disappointing readings will modestly increase growth concerns.

There are also several Fed speakers today including Bostic (8:00 a.m. ET), Goolsbee (10:15 a.m. ET) and Kashkari (1:00 p.m. ET).

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Hard Landing/Soft Landing Scoreboard (Updated)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Hard Landing/Soft Landing Scoreboard (Updated)
  • Post Fed Technical Takeaways

Futures are modestly lower on disappointing earnings results and as markets digest Thursday’s big rally.

Fed Ex (FDX) missed earnings, cut guidance and voiced concern about economic growth and that negative print is contributing to the decline in futures.

The Bank of Japan kept rates unchanged (as expected) and didn’t provide a hawkish surprise, although the BOJ is expected to hike rates again between now and year-end.

Today there are no notable economic reports and just one Fed speaker (Harker (2:00 p.m. ET)) and given that lack of catalysts we’d expect some continued digestion of Thursday’s big rally.

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