New ETFs for Your Watchlist

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • New ETFs for Your Watchlist

Futures are moderately lower mostly on continued concerns about loan quality for U.S. banks, although nothing new happened overnight to specifically pressure stocks.

Economically, the only notable report was EU HICP (their CPI) and it was a bit hot, as Core HICP rose 0.2% vs. (E) 0.1% m/m and 2.4% vs. (E) 2.3% y/y.

Today there are some economic reports, including Housing Starts (1.315M), Import & Export Prices (E: -0.2% m/m, 0.0% m/m) and Industrial Production (E: 0.1%).    There is also one Fed speaker, Musalem (12:15 p.m. ET).

However, they are unlikely to move markets.  Instead, focus on credit and loan quality at banks will be the main market driver and any headlines that imply TriColor and First Brands are isolated incidents (which they likely are) will help stocks rebound.

Finally, earnings season rolls on and some reports to watch today include:  SLB ($0.67), AXP ($3.96), STT ($2.62).

 

Are Tri-Color and First Brands “Cockroaches?”

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Are Tricolor and First Brands “Cockroaches?”

Futures are solidly higher following better than expected Taiwan Semiconductor earnings (TSM).

TSM beat earnings and raised guidance, as chip demand is still very strong while the AI cap-ex boom remains in force.

Today there are two notable economic reports, Philly Fed (E: 7.5) and the Housing Market Index (E: 33) along with numerous Fed speakers.  From a data standpoint, given the lack of economic reports lately, solid readings from both reports will be welcomed by investors as it will help reinforce that growth is stable.

Turning to the lineup of Fed speakers today, Waller at 8:00 a.m. ET is likely the only potential market mover because he’s in the running to be the next Fed chair.  Other Fed speakers today include Barkin (8:00 a.m., 12:45 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. ET), Miran (9:00 a.m. & 4:15 p.m. ET), Bowman (10:00 a.m. ET), Kashkari (6:00 p.m. ET).

Finally, earnings season continues to gain momentum and some reports we’ll be watching today include:  TSM ($2.59), SCHW ($1.23), BK ($1.76), USB ($1.11), TRV ($5.88), IBKR ($0.50), CSX (0.42).

Credit Spreads: Are We Seeing Liquidity Tightening?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Credit Spreads: Are We Seeing Liquidity Tightening?

U.S. futures are solidly higher with European equity markets thanks to strong earnings from LVMH and ASML.

Economically, Eurozone Industrial Production fell -1.2% vs. (E) -1.6% m/m in August.

Today, there is one economic release to watch: the Empire State Manufacturing Index (E: -0.9) and a 4-Month Treasury Bill auction at 11:30 a.m. ET that could move short duration yields.

Additionally, today will be a busy day of Fed Speak with Miran (9:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. ET), Bostic (12:10 p.m. ET), Waller (1:00 p.m. ET), and Schmid (1:35 p.m. ET) all scheduled to deliver comments over the course of the day.

Finally, investors will remain keenly focused on earnings with quarterly reports due from ASML ($6.36), BAC ($0.94), MS ($2.08), PGR ($5.08), ABT ($1.30), UAL ($2.64), and JBHT ($1.48) today.

 

Volatility Reset or New Volatility Cycle?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • “Volatility Reset” or the Start of a New “Volatility Cycle?”
  • Silver Joins Gold at All-Time Highs

Markets are trading with a clear risk-off tone this morning amid a reescalation in trade tensions between the U.S. and China ahead of a slew of big bank earnings releases today.

Economically, the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell to 98.8 vs. (E) 100.5 in September but the Employment Subindex favorably rose for a fourth straight month which should help ease some labor market angst.

Looking ahead to today’s session, focus will remain on the trade war, specifically tensions between the U.S. and China, however, there are also two Treasury auctions (for 3-Month and 6-Month Bill at 11:30 a.m. ET) that could impact yields/Fed policy expectations and subsequently move equities.

Additionally, there are two Fed speakers on the calendar today: Bowman (8:45 a.m. ET) and Powell (12:20 p.m. ET). Obviously, any less-dovish tone from Fed Chair Powell has the potential to add pressure to an already fragile and heavy equity market today.

Finally, today marks the unofficial start of Q3 earnings season with several big banks/financials reporting quarterly results including: BLK ($11.25), JPM ($4.83), GS ($10.93), WFC ($1.55), and C ($1.83) as well as other notables: JNJ ($2.77), DPZ ($4.00).

 

Is AI the Only Thing Supporting This Market?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Last Week’s Takeaway: AI Enthusiasm Could Soon Be the Only Thing Holding Up This Market
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet – Fed Surveys in Focus

Stock futures are solidly higher this morning, recovering a good portion of Friday’s losses amid easing trade war fears.

President Trump dialed back Friday’s tariff threats on China with a post on Truth Social saying “Don’t worry about China, it will all be fine,” which is fueling a relief rally today.

Economically, Chinese trade data was strong with exports jumping from 4.4% to 8.3% vs. (E) 6.5% in September.

There are no economic reports in the U.S. today and just one Fed speaker: Paulson (12:55 p.m. ET).

There is one noteworthy “bellwether” earnings release today: FAST ($0.30), however, with bond markets closed in observation of Columbus Day, it is likely to be a quiet day of volatility consolidation.

October Bitcoin & Cryptocurrency Update

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Monthly Bitcoin & Crypto Update (October)

U.S. equity futures are flat while most overseas stock markets traded lower overnight as global investors book profits amid historically high valuations and an uncertain macroeconomic outlook given the ongoing government shutdown.

Economically, Japanese PPI held steady at 2.7% vs. (E) 2.5% in September, a slightly “warm” print that supported a modest rally in the yen overnight.

Looking into today’s session, there is one noteworthy private sector economic report to watch today: Consumer Sentiment (E: 54.0, 1-Yr Inflation Expectations: 4.5%) and the results could move markets as the government shutdown has resulted in a prolonged void in official growth/inflation data this week (the better the headline and cooler the inflation outlook, the better for stocks).

Additionally, there are two notable Fed speakers today: Goolsbee (9:45 a.m. ET) and Musalem (1:00 p.m. ET), and the more dovish the commentary, the better for risk assets.

The Latest on AI Bubble Discussions

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • The Latest on AI Bubble Discussions

Futures are little changed following a generally quiet night of news as there was no progress on resolving the shutdown and as investor attention turns to earnings.

Economically, the only notable report was German exports which declined modestly (down –3.9%).

Today there are no notable economic reports but there are several Fed speakers including, most importantly, Powell (8:30 a.m. ET).  Other Fed speakers today include Bowman (8:35 a.m. & 3:45 p.m. ET), Barr (12:45 p.m. ET), Daly (6:40 p.m. ET).  The key for markets here is clear:  If Powell (and others) reiterate their concern about the labor market and hint at more rate cuts, that should help support stocks amidst this absence of economic data.

Earnings season also kicks off this week, although next week is when results begin in earnest.  Some reports to watch today include: DAL ($1.52), PEP ($2.27), HELE ($0.34), LEVI ($0.31).

October MMT Chart and a Caution Signal From the VIX

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • October MMT Levels – S&P 500 Chart
  • Technical Observation: VIX vs. SPX Caution Signal

Futures turned higher with Treasuries overnight after the Bank of New Zealand cut policy rates by -50 bp to 2.50% vs. (E) -25 bp, a dovish surprise aimed at spurring growth.

Economically, Taiwan’s CPI remained low at 1.25% y/y while German Industrial Production plunged -4.3% vs. (E) -1.0% but the downbeat data is bolstering dovish central bank policy bets and buoying both bond and equity markets this morning.

Looking ahead to today’s session, the void of government economic data continues and there are no notable private sector releases today which will leave markets continuing to focus on Treasury auctions and Fed speak.

Regarding the first of those two topics, the Treasury will hold a 4-Month Bill auction at 11:30 a.m. ET and a (more important) 10-Yr Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET.

Regarding the second topic, the Fed’s Musalem (9:20 a.m. ET), Barr (9:30 a.m. & 5:45 p.m. ET), Kashkari (3:15 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. ET), and Goolsbee (7:15 p.m. ET) are all scheduled to speak today.

And finally, the September FOMC meeting minutes will be released at 2:00 p.m. ET, and any evidence that pushes back on the thesis that the Fed will cut two more times in 2025 could send the dollar and yields (potentially sharply) higher and weigh meaningfully on equities.

 

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Our Q3 ’25 Quarterly Letter was delivered to subscribers last week, complete with compliance backup and citations.

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You can view our Q2 ’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.

October Market Multiple Table

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • October Market Multiple Table Update

Stock futures are trading back to flat after overnight weakness amid mostly quiet news flow.

Economically, German Manufacturing Orders fell -0.8% vs. (E) +1.3% in August but the news is being digested as modestly dovish (market positive) rather than a fresh source of growth concern.

Today, data on International Trade in Goods (E: $-61.0B) and Consumer Credit (E: $13.5B) were due to be released but both are likely to be impacted/delayed due to the government shutdown which will leave focus on Fed speak and Treasury auction results.

On those fronts, it is a relatively busy day with Bostic (10:00 a.m. ET), Bowman (10:05 a.m. ET), Miran (10:30 a.m.), and Kashkari (11:30 a.m. ET) all due to speak over the course of the day before there is a 3-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET. Investors are pricing in a dovish Fed between now and yearend so anything that doesn’t support that outlook could prompt volatility.

Finally, there is one late season earnings release worth noting: MKC ($0.81).

 

Acknowledging the Negative Outcome

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Acknowledging the Negative Outcome
  • Weekly Market Preview: Does Fed Commentary Back-up Rate Cut Expectations?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet: Fed speak the key with no government data this week.

Futures are solidly higher thanks to strength in Japanese stocks following a surprise election outcome and despite no progress on resolving the U.S. government shutdown.

The Nikkei surged more than 4% after the ruling Liberal Democratic Party elected Sanae Takaichi to be the new Prime Minister, a mildly surprising outcome that’s seen as positive for more economic stimulus from the BOJ.

Politically, there was no progress on resolving the U.S. government shutdown over the weekend, although markets are continuing to ignore the shutdown (and likely will for another two weeks or so, should it last that long).

Today there are no economic reports so focus will remain on any progress on resolving the shutdown.  There is also one Fed speaker today, Schmidt at 5:00 P.M. ET, but his comments come after the close and shouldn’t move markets.