A Tale of Three Markets (And Playbooks for Each)

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • A Tale of Three Markets (And Playbooks for Each)

Stock futures rallied to fresh all-time highs overnight thanks to news the U.S. government will ease restrictions on chip sales to China, specifically some of NVDA’s more powerful AI-chips as CPI data and big bank earnings loom.

There are a slew of potential market catalysts this morning starting with inflation data as CPI (E: 0.3% m/m, 2.7% y/y) and Core CPI (E: 0.3% m/m, 3.0% y/y) data for June will be released ahead of the bell along with one of the first July economic reports, the Empire State Manufacturing Index (-10.0).

Investors will be looking for data that pushes back on stagflation or hard landing scenarios to keep the stock rally going.

Additionally, there are multiple Fed officials scheduled to speak including Bowman (9:15 a.m. ET), Barr (12:45 p.m. ET), Barkin 1:00 p.m. ET), and Collins (2:45 p.m. ET). The market will be looking for positive economic commentary and/or hints of a potential rate cut this month.

Finally, today also marks the unofficial start to Q2 earnings season with several big banks and other noteworthy U.S. companies reporting results including: JPM ($4.51), C ($1.61), BLK ($10.78), WFC ($1.41), BK ($1.74), STT ($2.36), JBHT ($1.34). The stronger the corporate results, the better as strong earnings growth is priced in for the year ahead with equities trading at current levels.

Are Stock Vigilantes Coming to this Market?

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Are Stock Vigilantes Coming to this Market?
  • Weekly Market Preview: Do tariffs start to boost inflation this month?
  • Weekly Market Preview: Important inflation and growth updates this week.

Futures are modestly lower following more tariff threats over the weekend.

President Trump announced 30% tariffs on the EU and non-USMCA goods from Mexico starting August 1st, although the modest decline in markets still implies investors think tariff rates will be negotiated lower ahead of the deadline.

Economically, the only notable number overnight was Chinese exports, which beat expectations (5.8% vs. (E) 5.0%).

This week is an important one from an economic standpoint as we’ll get important updates on inflation (via CPI & PPI) and growth (via retail sales), but the week starts quietly as there are no notable economic reports today.

On earnings, the Q2 reporting season begins to heat up this week via big bank earnings, although today the only notable report to watch is FAST ($0.28).

Bitcoin/Crypto Monthly Update

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Bitcoin/Crypto Monthly Update

Futures are modestly lower following more tariff increases and escalation in the tensions between the White House and Fed.

President Trump increased tariff rates on non-USMCA goods from Canada to 35% and threatened to increase the baseline tariff on all imports to 15% – 20% (from 10%).

Tensions between the White House and Fed rose on Thursday, as the Office of Management and Budget is now investigating the Federal Reserve building renovation.

Today there are no economic reports so trade headlines will be in focus, including the tariff rates on the EU and Taiwan.  Markets have been impressively resilient this week in the face of potentially dramatic tariff escalation, but if negative trade headlines continue throughout the day, don’t be surprised if this early selloff accelerates because tariff rates are possibly going much, much higher than previously expected.

Two Ways Tariff Policy Could Hurt Stocks (Even If TACO is True)

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Two Ways Tariff Policy Could Hurt Stocks (Even If TACO is True)

Futures are slightly lower following a quiet night of news as markets digest the latest tariff threats.

Tariff threats from the administration have intensified over the week including the 50% tariff on copper imports and 50% tariff on Brazilian imports, but markets continue to largely ignore them and view it all as a negotiation.

Today focus will be on economic data, trade headlines and earnings.  Starting with the data, the key report today is Jobless Claims (E: 238K) and markets will want to see continued stability to further support last Friday’s good jobs number (and push back on any slowdown fears).  There are also three Fed speakers today, Musalem (10:00 a.m. ET), Waller (1:15 p.m. ET and Daly (2:30 p.m. ET), but they shouldn’t move markets.

On trade, markets are still waiting for updates on the EU and Taiwan.  A “deal” with the EU would further reduce trade anxiety while a letter would likely (slightly) escalate trade anxiety.

Finally, the Q2 earnings season starts (effectively) today and some reports we’re watching include:  DAL ($2.01), CAG ($0.59), LEVI ($0.14), PSMT ($1.16), WDFC ($1.43).

 

It’s Not Too Late To Send Clients A Quarterly Letter!

If you are behind on your quarterly letter, please let us help!

You can have a quality quarterly letter ready to send to clients by the end of the day! 

Our Q2 ’25 Quarterly Letter was delivered to subscribers last week, complete with compliance backup and citations. We continue to get feedback about how it is saving advisors time and helping them communicate with their clients in this headline driven market!

You can view our Q1 ’25 Quarterly Letter here.

To learn more about the product (including price), please click this link.

If you’re interested in subscribing, please email info@sevensreport.com.

July MMT Chart: New S&P 500 Targets to Watch

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • July MMT Chart: New S&P 500 Targets to Watch

U.S. equity futures are mostly higher, albeit modestly so while global bond yields are steady as investors continue to digest this week’s latest tariff headlines and broader trade war developments.

Economically, Chinese CPI edged up +0.1% vs. (E) -0.1% y/y in June while PPI fell -3.6% vs. (E) -3.2% y/y last month.

Looking into today’s session, there is one lesser-followed economic report due to be released: Wholesale inventories (E: -0.3%) but the reports shouldn’t materially move markets.

Moving into the afternoon, there are two potential catalysts to watch: A 10-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET (foreign demand for yesterday’s 3-Yr auction was light and more of the same today would put upward pressure on yields and likely weigh on stocks), and the release of the June FOMC Meeting Minutes (2:00 p.m. ET) which could shed more light on the timeframe for the Fed’s next rate cut.

Bottom line, the economic calendar and Fed speaker circuit both remain light/thin today as has been the case all week which will leave investors primarily focused on very fluid tariff headlines and sentiment towards the broader global trade war. The more progress towards concrete deals, the better for risk assets while any further escalations are likely to further weigh on stocks in thin summer trade.

July Market Multiple Table Update

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • July Market Multiple Table – Is the Good News All Priced In?
  • Needed Context for Tariff & Trade Deal Announcements

U.S. futures are slightly higher while global shares were mixed overnight with Asian markets outperforming and EU equities lagging as the latest trade war news was digested.

President Trump’s latest round of tariffs were viewed as not-as-bad-as-feared with deadlines being pushed back and multiple mentions of potential exemptions mentioned in discussions with the EU and Asian trading partners, leaving markets steady this morning.

Economically, the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index edged down from 98.8 to 98.6 vs. (E) 98.7 in June but the report is not materially impacting markets this morning.

Today there is just one, lesser-followed economic report due out in the afternoon: Consumer Credit (E: $11.5B) and there are no Fed officials scheduled to speak.

There is a 3-Year Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET that could potentially move yields and impact equity markets, but otherwise, trader focus will remain on the still very fluid trade war narrative.

Market Outlook: Positive News, but Investor Complacency is Surging

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Outlook: Positive News, but Investor Complacency is Surging
  • Weekly Market Preview: Tariff Updates – Is TACO Still Valid?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet: More Focus on the Labor Market This Week

Futures are moderately lower on an increase in trade anxiety as the July 9th reciprocal tariff deadline approaches.

President Trump threatened a 10% tariff for any countries that align with “anti-American” BRIC policies and that is reminding investors of ever-present trade tensions.

On reciprocal tariffs, Secretary Bessent said tariff rates won’t increase until August 1st but several countries would be notified of higher tariff rates this week.

Economically, UK retail sales & German IP beat estimates.

Today there are no economic reports nor any Fed speakers so focus will be on trade headlines.  Any reports of any more trade “deals” ahead of the July 9th deadline will be a positive for markets and help stocks recoup these early losses.

 

Sevens Report Quarterly Letter

Our Q2 ’25 Quarterly Letter was delivered to subscribers last Tuesday, complete with compliance backup and citations.

We’re already receiving feedback about how it is saving advisors time and helping them communicate with their clients!

If you are behind on your quarterly letter, let us help!  The Sevens Report Quarterly Letter will be delivered immediately after you subscribe. 

You can view our Q1 ’25 Quarterly Letter here.

To learn more about the product (including price) please click this link.

If you’re interested in subscribing, please email info@sevensreport.com.

Jobs Day

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Day
  • Would New Highs in the Dow Be Positive for Stocks? (Not Necessarily)

Futures are little changed as markets await today’s important jobs report.

Politically, the Big, Beautiful Bill made more progress in the House overnight and it is expected to pass by July 4th (although this expected so it’s not a market moving event).

Economically, both EU and UK Composite PMIs beat expectations, pushing back growth fears in those regions.

Today focus will be on economic data and specifically the jobs report and expectations are as follows: 110K Job-Adds, 4.3% UE Rate, 0.3% Wages.  Given yesterday’s soft ADP report, the stronger the number, the better as it’ll push back on slowdown fears.  Other important reports today include Jobless Claims (E: 240K) and the ISM Services PMI (E: 50.5) and, again, better than expected numbers will be welcomed by the markets.

Finally, there is one Fed speaker: Bostic (11:00 a.m. ET) but he shouldn’t move markets.

Jobs Report Preview (Two-Sided Risks)

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Report Preview (Two-Sided Risks)
  • Powell’s Tone Tilts Dovish
  • ISM Manufacturing Data Takeaways
  • Chart – Rise in JOLTS Highlights Labor Market Resilience

Stock futures are slightly higher but well off their overnight highs as traders mull President Trump’s fresh tariff threats (mostly directed at Japan) and await June payrolls data.

Economically, the Eurozone Unemployment Rate ticked up 0.1% to 6.3% vs. (E) 6.2% in May which was a slight negative regarding the outlook for the global economy.

Looking ahead to today’s session, there are no Fed officials scheduled to speak which will leave early focus on today’s June ADP Employment Report (E: 103K) due out ahead of the bell.

Additionally, UNF ($2.12) is due to report earnings (but the release should not materially move markets) and there is a 4-Month Treasury Bill auction at 11:30 a.m. ET.

Bottom line, with the June jobs report looming tomorrow, a big surprise in the ADP could impact markets while the 4-Month Bill auction could shed light on Fed policy expectations (the more dovish, the better) but today should be a relatively quiet day of positioning into the BLS release barring any new trade war developments.

Is This Rally Sustainable?

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is This Rally Sustainable? It Depends on What You Think About Growth.
  • Chart – The Latest Chicago PMI Points to a Loss of Economic Momentum

Futures are lower, led by TSLA shares and big tech after the latest social-media rift between President Trump and Elon Musk offsets mostly upbeat economic data from overnight while the strong Q2’25 gains are digested.

Economically, China’s Caixin Manufacturing PMI rose from 48.3 to 50.4 vs. (E) 49.0 in June while the EU’s final manufacturing PMI edged up from 49.4 to 49.5 vs. (E) 49.4. On the inflation front, the Eurozone HICP Flash (CPI equivalent) rose 0.1% to 2.0% as expected.

Looking into today’s session, there are three noteworthy economic reports to watch: The ISM Manufacturing PMI (E: 48.8), Construction Spending (E: 0.1%), and May JOLTS (E: 7.3 million). Investors will be looking for further evidence of resilience in growth metrics amid tame inflation pressures in order to short up rally-supporting soft landing hopes.

Finally, Fed Chair Powell will speak as part of a panel at an ECB Economic Forum in Portugal at 9:30 a.m. ET and any while he is unlikely to stray from the narrative that the FOMC is in “wait-and-see” mode, any insight on the future policy path could move markets today.

 

Sevens Report Quarterly Letter Delivered Today

Your quarterly letter could be done today with virtually zero work from you!

Our Q2 ’25 Quarterly Letter will be released today and some advisors will have it ready to send to clients almost immediately thereafter!

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
  • Improve client communications and strengthen relationships.

And it takes virtually no work from you and is zero risk because we offer a full refund if the letter doesn’t pass compliance.

You can view our Q1 ’25 Quarterly Letter here. To learn more about the product (including price), please click this link.

If you’re interested in subscribing, please email info@sevensreport.com.