Are Tariffs A Bearish Gamechanger? Not Yet.

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Are Tariffs A Bearish Gamechanger? Not Yet.: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Are Tariffs A Bearish Gamechanger?  Not Yet.
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Tar War 2.0 and Key Economic Data (Including Friday’s Jobs Report)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  The “Big Three” Monthly Reports (Highlighted by Friday’s Jobs Report)

Futures are sharply lower (more than 1%) after President Trump made good on threats and placed 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico in addition to an incremental 10% tariff on China, igniting another round of trade wars.

Economically, EU and UK manufacturing PMIs were slightly better than expected but both still were solidly in contraction territory, reinforcing EU and UK growth concerns.

Today could be a very busy day in the markets.  Obviously trade rhetoric will dominate trading today and to that end, Trump has calls planned today with Canadian PM Trudeau and Mexican President Sheinbaum and obviously those headlines will move markets.  Outside of trade drama, however, we get an important economic report, the ISM Manufacturing PMI (E: 49.5) and markets will want to continue to see Goldilocks readings close that are in-line or slightly weak.

In addition to trade drama and an important economic report, we also have two Fed speakers, Bostic (12:30 p.m. ET) and Musalem (6:30 p.m. ET) and their commentary on future cuts could also move markets.

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Two Sector Rotation Strategies With Proven Outperformance

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Two Sector Rotation Strategies With Proven Outperformance: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Two Sector Rotation Strategies With Proven Outperformance
  • Dueling Political Influences on Oil Prices

Futures are modestly higher on more solid tech earnings and as markets are in a “show me” mode on tariff threats.

Apple (AAPL) beat earnings overnight and the stock is up 3% pre-market and that’s helping push futures higher.

On tariffs, markets remain skeptical tariffs will be implemented against Canada and Mexico tomorrow and if they are, they’ll be largely ineffectual.

Today focus will be squarely on the Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.2% m/m, 2.6% y/y).  This is the Fed’s favorite measure of inflation and markets will want to see an in-line to weaker number to keep rate cut expectations intact.  If this number is above expectations, however, look for yields to jump and for that to likely hit stocks.

In addition to the core PCE Price Index we do have one Fed speaker today (Bowman at 8:30 a.m. ET) and some more notable earnings (XOM ($1.58), ABBV ($2.13), CL ($0.89)) but they’re unlikely to move markets.

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What Would Cause the Fed to Cut Rates Again? (Two Answers)

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What Would Cause the Fed to Cut Rates Again? (Two Answers): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Would Cause the Fed to Cut Rates Again? (Two Answers)

Futures are modestly higher despite mixed tech earnings.

TSLA (up 3% pre-market) and META (up 1% pre-market) results were “fine” while MSFT disappointed (MSFT down  4% pre-market) but none of the results were surprising enough to impact the broader tech sector.

Today will be a busy day of economic data and earnings including, in order of importance, the ECB Rate Decision (E: 25 bps cut), Jobless Claims (E: 224K), Advanced Q4 GDP (E: 2.7%) and Pending Home Sales (E: 0.4%).  And, following yesterday’s Fed meeting, it remains the case that in-line to slightly weak results are the “best” case for stocks as they imply solid growth but keep rate cut expectations stable.

On earnings, the key results today include: AAPL ($2.36), INTC ($0.12), V ($2.66), UPS ($2.52), MA ($3.68), CAT ($4.97).

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FOMC Preview (Good, Bad, and Ugly Scenarios)

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FOMC Preview (Good, Bad, and Ugly Scenarios): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • FOMC Preview – What’s Expected, Hawkish-If, Dovish-If Scenarios
  • December Durable Goods Orders Takeaways (Goldilocks)
  • NVDA Chart – An Ominous Technical Setup

Stock futures are slightly higher ahead of today’s Fed decision as global bond markets remain steady on the back of some favorable inflation metrics overnight.

Economically, Australian CPI fell from 2.8% to 2.4% vs. (E) 2.6% in Q4’24 and Eurozone M3 Money Supply rose 3.5% Y/Y vs. (E) 4.0%, both of which helped ease inflation fears.

There are no economic reports today leaving market focus on the FOMC Decision (2:00 p.m. ET) and Powell’s Press Conference (2:30 p.m. ET). As today’s Fed preview details, a hawkish outcome that sends yields higher could cause a painful selloff in equities.

Today is also the first day of big tech earnings with TSLA ($0.75), META ($6.90), MSFT ($3.12), and IBM ($3.74) all due to report quarterly results after the close. Expectations are already optimistic for 2025 so any disappointment could pressure stocks in after-hours trading regardless of the initial reaction to the Fed announcement.

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Is DeepSeek a Bearish Gamechanger?

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Is DeepSeek a Bearish Gamechanger?: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is DeepSeek a Bearish Gamechanger?

Futures are enjoying a relief rally after yesterday’s steep, tech-led losses as traders shrug off negative tariff news.

Late yesterday, Trump said he wants universal tariffs “much bigger than 2.5%” which pressured Asian markets overnight but is so far having a limited impact on U.S. stocks.

Looking into today’s session, price action should stabilize somewhat as the FOMC meeting gets underway and traders position into tomorrow’s policy announcement.

However, there are several noteworthy economic reports to watch this morning that could move markets including: Durable Goods (E: 0.8%), the Case-Shiller Home Price Index (E: 4.1%), and Consumer Confidence (E: 106.3). Investors will be looking for more Goldilocks data (cooling inflation, slowing but not collapsing demand/growth).

In the afternoon, there is a 7-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET and it will be important to see solid demand to help shore up the idea that rates have put in at least a near-term peak (weak demand and subsequently rising yields could weigh on stocks).

Finally, earnings season continues will a few noteworthy companies reporting today, including: BA (-$2.27), GM ($1.65), SYF ($1.90), and SYY ($0.93).

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Why Did Stocks Hit New Highs?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Did Stocks Hit New Highs?
  • Weekly Market Preview: Major Tech Earnings and Wednesday’s Fed Decision
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet: Fed Wednesday (Do They Push Back on Pause Fears?)

Futures are sharply lower (down more than 2%) on AI and tariff concerns.

Tech stocks are extremely weak (Nasdaq futures are down 4%) on news that a Chinese AI company “Deep Seek” has produced cutting edge AI with minimal costs and no next-gen chips, and this is seriously undermining AI enthusiasm.

Geopolitically, Trump threatened Colombia with tariffs over the weekend and while they ultimately weren’t implemented, it’s a reminder that trade volatility is back.

Today there is only one notable economic report, New Home Sales (E: 669K) and that shouldn’t move markets.  Instead, tech (and specifically the Mag 7) will lead the markets and for stocks to rebound from these steep early losses, we’ll need to see the Nasdaq stabilize and rebound, otherwise this is looking like an ugly day in the markets.

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Were Tariff Fears Exaggerated? (No. Two Reasons Why)

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Were Tariff Fears Exaggerated? (No. Two Reasons Why): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Were Tariff Fears Exaggerated? (No. Two Reasons Why)

Futures are slightly lower following a major central bank rate hike and despite better-than-expected economic data.

The Bank of Japan raised interest rates 25 bps, as expected, and signaled further rate hikes are coming (also as expected).

Economically, Euro Zone and UK Manufacturing PMIs slightly beat estimates but both remained in contraction territory.

Today we get the most important economic reports of the week via the January Flash Manufacturing PMI (E: 48.9) and Flash Services PMI (E: 56.7) and again, markets will want to see in-line to slightly soft data.  Stronger than expected readings would likely boost yields and pressure stocks.  Other economic reports today include Existing Home Sales (E: 4.16 million) and Consumer Sentiment (E: 73.2).

Turning to earnings, the key report I’m watching today is AXP ($3.03) as that will give us insight into consumer spending and the stronger the report, the better.

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What Happens to Markets If the Bond Vigilantes Return?

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What Happens to Markets If the Bond Vigilantes Return?: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Happens to Markets If the Bond Vigilantes Return?
  • What Happens to Markets If the Bond Vigilantes Don’t Return?

Futures are slightly lower mostly on digestion of the recent rally and following a mostly quiet night of news.

Economically, the only notable number was UK CBI Industrial Trends, which were slightly better than expected (-34% vs. (E) -40%).

Politically, President Trump conducted an interview with Sean Hannity overnight but nothing new was revealed.

Today we get our first notable economic report of the week via Jobless Claims (E: 218K) and the case remains that Goldilocks data (so in-line to slightly weak) is the best case scenario for stocks, as it implies solid growth but won’t further reduce rate cut expectations.

On earnings, the reporting season continues to gain steam and some reports we’re watching today include GE ($1.02), AAL ($0.64), FCX ($0.25), TXN ($1.19), ISRG( $1.77).

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Bond Vigilantes Are Back (Part 1)

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Bond Vigilantes Are Back (Part 1): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • The Bond Vigilantes Are Back (They’re Just Not Here Yet) – Part One

U.S. futures are higher with global markets this morning amid a continued relief rally after Trump focused on AI and energy initiatives instead of tariffs on his first day.

Economically, New Zealand CPI came in as expected at 0.5% in Q4 which helped ease global inflation worries.

Today there is just one, second-tiered economic report due to be released: Leading Indicators (E: -0.1%) which is unlikely to move markets.

The Treasury will hold a 4-Month Bill auction at 11:30 a.m. ET and a 20-Year Bond auction at 1:00 p.m. ET. Investors will want to see more strong demand for both short duration and longer duration Treasuries to keep yields from rising again.

Finally, earnings season continues today with PG ($1.87), JNJ ($2.01), ABT ($1.34), KMI ($0.33), DFS ($3.15), and AA ($0.91) all releasing quarterly reports. Generally strong top and bottom line results would be an added tailwind to stocks.

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Four Key Areas of Policy and Politics That Matter Most

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Four Key Areas of Policy and Politics That Matter Most: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Four Key Areas of Policy and Politics That Matter Most to Markets
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet: Composite PMIs and Jobless Claims in Focus

Futures are higher in volatile trade as investors weigh Trump’s fresh tariff threats against pro-growth policy plans.

Economically, the German ZEW Survey was mixed while the U.K. Unemployment Rate ticked up to 4.4% from 4.3%.

Looking into today’s session, there are no notable economic reports and no Fed officials are scheduled to speak, however, there are Treasury auctions for 3-Month and 6-Month Bills at 11:30 a.m. ET and 52-Week Bills at 1:00 p.m. ET. Rising yields in reaction to the auction results could lead to more market volatility and pressure stocks while strong demand (lower yields) would be welcomed by investors.

Additionally, earnings season continues today with quarterly reports from SCHW ($0.90), MMM ($1.66), DHI ($2.41), NFLX ($4.19), UAL ($3.01), and COF ($2.66), and investors will want to see evidence of continued earnings growth to support the case for a further stock market rally in 2025.

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