Here We Go Again: Why Bad Data Isn’t Good for Stocks

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Here We Go Again: Why Bad Data Isn’t Good for Stocks
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are moderately lower following disappointing tech earnings overnight.

META (down 13% pre-open), IBM (down 10% pre-open) and NOW (down 5% pre-open) all posted disappointing results and tech stock weakness is weighing on futures.

Economically there was no notable data overnight.

Today focus will be on economic data and earnings.  From a data standpoint, Advanced Q1 GDP (E: 2.3%) is the key report and markets will want to see a headline that meets (or slightly misses) expectations and price data that’s in-line or lower than estimates (if that occurs, July rate cuts hopes will rise).  Other data today includes Jobless Claims (E: 215K) and Pending Home Sales (E: 1.0%).

On earnings, there is a deluge of reports today, but the key potential market movers include:  MSFT ($2.81), GOOGL ($1.49), INTC ($0.11), AAL (-$0.28), RCL ($1.30), CAT ($5.12), TMUS ($1.89).

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Bull Market Warning From Dow Theory

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Dow Theory Update: Transports Rolling Over (Charts Included)
  • Flash PMI Takeaways – Signs of Weakness
  • Has Gold Bottomed Yet (Probably Not)

Futures are higher on well-received guidance from “Mag-7” member TSLA (+11% pre-market) and U.S. semiconductor giant TXN (+7% pre-market) while economic data in Europe topped estimates overnight.

Economically, Australian CPI was “warm” at 1.0% vs. (E) 0.8% in Q1 which is supporting a modest rise in the aussie dollar while the German Ifo Survey’s Business Expectations Index firmed to 89.9 vs. (E) 88.9 helping bolster European shares.

Today, there is one economic report to watch: Durable Goods Orders (E: 2.3%) and markets will be looking for a “goldilocks,” as-expected number as either a “hot” print would initiate a hawkish reaction while a “cold” print would rekindle growth concerns.

There are no Fed speakers today, but the Treasury will hold a 5-Yr Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET which once again could move yields. A weak auction would send yields towards 5% which is another threat to this week’s robust relief rally.

Earnings season also continues to ramp up with BA (-$1.43), T ($0.53), and GD ($2.89) reporting results ahead of the open while META ($4.32), IBM ($1.59), F ($0.42), and CMG ($11.63) will report after the close. META will be the most important to watch as the results could either bolster this strong week-to-date rally that’s been led by tech, or de-rail it and send stocks back towards the Q2 lows.

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How Nervous Are Investors Right Now?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Sentiment Update – How Nervous Are Investors Right Now?
  • A Timely Chart: NVDA Falls to Target From Last Thursday’s Report

U.S. equity futures are tracking global markets higher after European economic data came in better than expected and traders optimistically look ahead to big-tech earnings.

The EU’s April PMI Composite Flash rose 1.1 points to 51.4 vs. (E) 50.8 thanks to a solid 52.9 Services sub-index print. The strong data is helping ease worries of stagflation and a weakening consumer which have been simmering so far in 2024.

Today, focus will be on economic data early with the PMI Composite Flash (E:51.9) release and New Home Sales (E: 670K) report due out this morning.

There are no Fed speakers today but the Treasury will hold a 2-Yr Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET which could offer insight into any changes in Fed policy expectations (the risk to stocks is an auction with weak demand that sends the 2-Yr yield to-or-through 5%).

Earnings season also continues to pick up today with UPS ($1.33), GM ($2.06), LMT ($5.80), GE ($0.67), PEP ($1.52), and SHW ($2.25) reporting before the bell while TSLA ($0.49) and V ($2.43) will release results after the close.

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What Makes The Pullback Worse?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Makes The Pullback Worse?
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Will Earnings and Growth Data Stabilize Stocks?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Growth focus early in the week, important inflation report on Friday.

Futures are enjoying a modest rebound following a quiet weekend of news and ahead of an important week of earnings (especially in tech).

There are major tech earnings this week (TSLA, META, GOOG, MSFT) and tech stocks are bouncing this morning ahead of those reports.

There was no notable economic or geo-political news over the weekend.

This is a potentially busy week of economic data and earnings but it starts slowly, as today there’s only one economic report,  Chicago Fed National Activity Index (E: 0.05), and that’s unlikely to move markets.

On earnings, the importance of the results increases this week.  Results we’re watching today include:  VZ ($1.12), TFC ($0.78), NUE ($3.62).

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What Has Really Changed In This Market?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Thoughts on the Israeli Strike in Iran
  • What Has Really Changed In This Market?
  • Oil Market:  Technicals vs. Fundamentals

Futures are moderately lower as Israel conducted a limited strike in Iran while NFLX guidance disappointed.

Israel struck an Iranian military base in response to the weekends’ drone attack, but the operation was small and viewed as an effort to de-escalate the situation.

NFLX posted strong earnings but mixed guidance and the stock is down 6% pre-market.

Today there are no economic reports and only one Fed speaker, Goolsbee at 10:30 a.m. ET, and on the dovish side of the spectrum so barring a hawkish tone from him, he shouldn’t move markets.

On the earnings front, results early in the season have been a bit disappointing and focus on earnings will increase (especially next week).  This market needs better results to help stabilize.  Earnings we’re watching today include:  AXP ($2.97), PG ($1.42) and SLB ($0.74).

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Did Powell Really Get More Hawkish on Tuesday?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Did Powell Really Get More Hawkish on Tuesday?
  • EIA Update and Oil Market Analysis

Futures are slightly higher on better-than-expected earnings and following a generally quiet night of news.

Taiwan Semi-Conductor (TSMC) posted solid earnings and that’s helping to offset yesterday’s disappointing ASML report and giving tech stocks (and global stocks) a mild boost.

Looking forward, today is a busy day of data, Fed speak and earnings.

Starting with the economic data, the market needs Goldilocks reports to help stocks and bonds stabilize, which means readings at or below expectations, especially on the price indices in the Philly Fed survey.  Key reports today include:  Jobless Claims (E: 215K), Philly Fed (E: 0.0) and Existing Home Sales (E: 4.18 M).

Turning to the Fed, there are three speakers today:  Bowman (9:05 a.m. ET), Williams (9:15 a.m. ET) and Bostic (11:00 a.m. ET).  Williams is the most important of the three, but if the commentary reinforces there are no near-term rate cuts coming, that will be an incremental headwind on stocks and bonds.

Finally, on the earnings front, the calendar continues to heat up and key reports today include:  TSMC ($1.29), NFLX ($4.51), PPG ($1.86), WAL ($1.70).

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A Return to Reasonable Valuations? April MMT Chart

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • A Return to Reasonable Valuations? April MMT Chart
  • Dip-Buying Becomes Riskier in Late-Cycle Environments
  • Housings Starts Plunge in March – Chart

Futures are higher this morning as the geopolitical situation in the Middle East is tense but stable, inflation data was largely as-expected, and good consumer-focused earnings are helping offset soft sales from chip-maker ASML.

Economically, EU Core CPI met estimates at 2.9% while the U.K.’s Core CPI figure was “warm” at 4.2% vs. (E) 4.1% but neither report is materially impacting the general “higher for longer” central bank policy stance in place right now.

There are no notable economic reports today and just two late-day Fed speakers: Mester (5:30 p.m. ET), Bowman (7:15 p.m. ET).

That will leave trader focus on the Treasury’s 20-Yr Bond auction at 1:00 p.m. ET as weak demand would add upward pressure on yields and pressure stocks.

Additionally, earnings season continues with TRV ($4.75), CFG ($0.75), CSX ($0.45), and DFS ($2.98) reporting today, however, none of those names should have a significant impact on the broader market unless there is a glaring disappointment or upside surprise.

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Market Multiple Table: April Update

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Table – April Update
  • Retail Sales Takeaways
  • Empire State Manufacturing Index Disappoints

Futures are slightly lower amid Chinese growth worries, hawkish Fed expectations and simmering geopolitical risks.

Economically, Chinese GDP was solid (5.3% vs. E: 4.9%) but Retail Sales were soft at 3.1% vs. (E) 5.0% and Home Prices dropped 2.2% y/y which weighed on Asian markets overnight.

Looking into today’s session, there are two economic reports to watch: Housing Starts (E: 1.48 million) and Industrial Production (E: 0.4%). Markets are looking for slowing growth in the economic data so anything “too hot” or “too cold” in today’s releases will further weigh on stocks.

There are also several Fed speakers today. In chronological order they are: Jefferson (9:00 a.m. ET), Williams (12:30 p.m. ET), Barkin (1:00 p.m. ET), and most importantly, Powell (1:15 p.m. ET). Any commentary supporting “higher for longer” Fed policy rates will be negative while a dovish surprise could spark a sharp short-covering rally given near-term oversold conditions in equity markets.

Earnings season also continues today with BAC ($0.77), MS ($1.69), UNH ($6.65), and JNJ ($2.64) reporting ahead of the bell while UAL (-$0.53) and JBHT ($1.53) will release results after the close.

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How Bad Was Last Week for the Rally?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Initial Thoughts on the Iranian Strikes on Israel
  • How Bad Was Last Week for the Rally
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet – Growth Metrics in Focus

Stock futures are rebounding modestly from Friday’s steep selloff as geopolitical developments from the weekend were not as bad as feared leaving focus on the start to Q1 earnings season and key economic data this week.

Geopolitically, Iran attacked Israel with a series of well-telegraphed drone and missile strikes over the weekend, but most were intercepted. There were limited casualties and little damage so the situation is seen as “contained” for now, however, a retaliatory strike by Israel would be a negative development for risk assets.

Looking into today’s session, there are two important investment bank earnings reports due out ahead of the bell: GS ($8.54) and SCHW ($0.73). following Friday’s disappointing results from other major banks including JPM, investors will want to see good numbers.

Economically, we get several important data points today including the Empire State Manufacturing Index (E: -5.1), Retail Sales (E: 0.4%), and the Housing Market Index (E: 51). Data needs to come in Goldilocks, especially, Retail Sales as the last two reports missed estimates and have raised concerns about the health of the consumer. Otherwise selling pressure is likely to pick up again today.

Finally, there are two Fed officials speaking today: Williams (8:30 a.m. ET) and Daly (8:00 p.m. ET). Any less hawkish tone will be welcomed while “higher for longer” commentary will be negative for stocks and bonds (yields higher).

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Understanding Why the Decline in Inflation Has Stalled

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Understanding Why the Decline in Inflation Has Stalled

Futures are slightly lower following more disappointing Chinese economic data and as geo-political concerns rise.

Chinese exports fell –7.5% vs. (E) -1.9% underscoring that growth remains a major concern in the Chinese economy.

Oil and gold are sharply higher on a WSJ article stating Iran could directly retaliate against Israel this weekend (a direct attack on Israel by Iran would be a substantial escalation).

Today there is one notable economic report, Consumer Sentiment (E: 79.0), but barring major surprise that shouldn’t move markets.    Instead, focus will be on Fed Speak and earnings.

Starting with the Fed, we have several speakers today including Schmid (1:00 p.m.), Bostic (2:30 p.m.) and Daly (3:30 p.m.) and if they echo Thursday’s commentary that rate cuts aren’t coming soon, expect mild pressure on stocks.

On earnings, today is the start of the Q1 earnings season and several big banks report including: JPM ($4.18), BLK ($4.92), WFC ($1.09) and C ($1.29).  Focus will be on the results and on consumer commentary and the stronger the commentary, the more of a tailwind earnings will provide to stocks.

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