Hard vs. Soft Data: A Growing Economic Disconnect

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Hard vs. Soft Data: A Growing Economic Disconnect
  • Durable Goods and GDP Data Takeaways

U.S. equity futures are modestly lower in thin holiday trade as this week’s market advance to fresh all time highs is digested amid mostly quiet newswires.

Economically, Taiwan Industrial Production rose 16.42% in November, up from 14.5% in October but the data is having a limited impact on markets this morning.

Today, there is one noteworthy economic release ahead of the bell: Jobless Claims (E: 225K) and markets will be looking for ongoing resilience in the labor market via a steady to lower than expected headline print to help shore up soft landing hopes.

The Treasury will hold a 4-Week and 8-Week Bill auction at 11:30 a.m. ET and a 7-Yr Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET, and as has been the case recently, the stronger the demand the better.

There are no Fed officials scheduled to speak today and no noteworthy earnings releases which will result in a likely quiet holiday trading session with the NYSE closing early at 1:00 p.m. ET.

 

New ETFs for Your Watchlist (November Launches)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • New ETFs for Your Watchlist (November Launches)

U.S. futures are flat while overseas equity markets were little changed overnight amid mostly quiet newswires and thinning attendance ahead of the Christmas holiday with focus on the slew of U.S. economic data due out today.

There were no noteworthy economic reports overnight and limited market moving headlines.

Looking ahead to today’s session, focus will be on the long list of economic reports due to be released in the U.S., including Durable Goods Orders (E: -1.5%), Q3 GDP (E: 3.2%), Industrial Production (E: 0.1%), Consumer Confidence (E: 91.9), and the Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index (E: -7.0).

There are no Fed officials scheduled to speak today, however there is a 5-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET that could shed light on investors’ outlook for Fed policy (the stronger the demand, the better).

Bottom line, with thinning attendance and light volumes given the holiday trading week, markets are likely to remain quiet today, however, if economic data meaningfully misses expectations and weighs on growth expectations, a decent pullback could easily occur.

 

Sevens Report Q4 ’25 Quarterly Letter Coming Next Friday  

It was another strong year for stocks, but it will be a different environment as we start 2026 with 1) Concerns about an AI bubble rising, 2) The Fed rate-cutting cycle potentially ending and 3) The unemployment rate hitting a multi-year high.

Those are factors that could make 2026 more volatile than expected and we will address those risks (and celebrate 2025’s strong performance) in the upcoming Q4 Sevens Report Quarterly Letter).

The letter will be delivered to subscribers next Friday, January 2nd. 

The Sevens Report Quarterly Letter is a turnkey client communications solution. We use our strength (writing about the markets) to help you:

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You can view our Q3 ’25 Quarterly Letter here.

To learn more about the product (including price), please click this link and if you’re interested in subscribing, please email info@sevensreport.com.

 

Can the Market Rally Without AI and a Dovish Fed?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Can the Market Rally Without AI and a Dovish Fed?
  • Weekly  Market Preview: Santa Rally On?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet: More Insight on Growth

Futures are marginally higher mostly on momentum from Friday’s rally and following a quiet weekend of news, as AI linked tech stocks continued to rebound.

Both gold and silver hit new all-time highs on rising geopolitical tensions as U.S. forces boarded another oil tanker bound for Venezuela, further increasing tensions.

Economically, the only notable report overnight was United Kingdom Q3 GDP, which met expectations rising 0.1% q/q and 1.3% y/y.

Market and economic calendars are mostly quiet this week and that includes today as there are no notable economic reports or Fed speakers.  That said, geo-politics remains a potential market mover this week, if we see a further increase in tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela.

 

MMT Chart (December Edition)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • MMT Chart (December Edition)

Futures are modestly higher on momentum from Thursday’s rally and as the BOJ rate decision was no worse than feared

The Bank of Japan hiked rates by 25 bps, as expected, but gave no indication when rates might rise again and the yen weakened 1% vs. the dollar.

Today focus will remain on economic data via another important inflation report, the Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.2% m/m, 2.8% y/y) and some growth data: Existing Home Sales (E: 4.15 million), Consumer Sentiment (E: 53.4).

The best outcome for stocks remains that the data generally hits expectations and it’s not so good it encourages the hawks to push back on further rate cuts, nor so weak it raises growth concerns.  Most of the data we’ve received this week (and really the last few weeks) has been that way and Goldilocks data is absolutely helping support this market.

 

December Market Multiple Table – Deterioration Across Market Influences

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • December Market Multiple Table – Deterioration Across Market Influences

Futures are seeing a solid rebound thanks to strong tech earnings and positive AI news.

Micron (MU) beat earnings estimates (stock up 11% pre-open) and, more importantly, gave robust guidance and that’s helping to reinforce AI Enthusiasm and lift tech and the entire market this morning.

Today will be a busy day of central bank decisions and economic data.  The most important economic report today is CPI (E: 0.3% m/m, 3.1% y/y), followed by Jobless Claims (E: 225K) and Philly Fed  (E: 2.2).  CPI needs to come in at or under expectations to push back on the hawkish Fed narrative and help support stocks.  Other economic data, meanwhile, needs to stay solidly positive to imply stable economic activity.

On the central bank front, we get a BOE Rate Decision (E: 25 bps cut) and ECB Rate Decision (E: No change) and as long as there are no hawkish surprises from either, they shouldn’t move markets.

Finally, on the earnings front, some reports we’re watching today include:  ACN ($3.74), KMX ($0.32), DRI ($2.09), NKE ($0.37), FDX ($4.05), KBH ($1.79).

 

A “Santa Rally” Chart for Clients

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • An Interesting Chart to Show Clients: Santa Tends to Arrive in the Second Half of December
  • Economic Data Takeaways: November BLS, October Retail Sales, & December Flash PMIs

Futures are higher as cooler-than-anticipated inflation data in Europe is offsetting an uptick in geopolitical tensions between Russia and the West as leaders jawbone about ceasefire negotiation details.

Economically, Eurozone CPI cooled to 2.1% vs. (E) 2.4% while U.K. CPI fell to 3.2% vs. (E) 3.4%, both of which supported dovish money flows overnight.

Looking into today’s session, we will get another look at the health of the U.S. consumer ahead of the bell with the November Retail Sales report due to be released (E: 0.2%) while data on Business Inventories (E: 0.2%) will also be reported. The former will be the key economic focus and investors will be looking for a healthy, “Goldilocks” print to support a relief rally.

The Treasury will hold a 4-Month Bill auction at 11:30 a.m. ET and a 20-Yr Bond auction at 1:00 p.m. ET, and the stronger the demand measures are in each, the better for stocks and bonds today.

There are also three notable Fed speakers today: Waller (8:30 a.m. ET), Williams (9:05 a.m. ET), and Bostic (12:30 p.m. ET), and the more dovish their collective tone is, the better for risk assets.

Finally, there are some late season earnings still trickling in with quarterly reports due from JBL ($2.27), GIS ($1.02), TTC ($0.86), and MU ($3.67) today. Obviously, weak earnings could fuel a further decline in equities today while strong results would be well received.

 

Why Do Markets Like Warsh Over Hassett?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Do Markets Like Warsh Over Hassett?
  • Jobs Report Preview

Futures are trading lower with global equities this morning thanks to soft economic data out of Europe overnight with focus shifting to the November BLS jobs report today.

Economically, the EU Flash Composite PMI fell to 51.9 vs. (E) 52.8 in December from 52.8 in November while the U.K. Unemployment Rate rose to a 4+ year high of 5.1%; both data points raised concerns about the health of the global economy.

Today, focus will be on economic data early with the November BLS Employment Situation Report (E: 40K Job-Adds, 4.5% Unemployment Rate, 3.6% Wage Growth) and Retail Sales (E: 0.2%) due to be released ahead of the bell, both of which have the potential to move markets.

Additionally, data on Business Inventories (E: 0.2%), Housing Starts (E: 1.325M), the Flash Manufacturing PMI (E: 52.0) and Flash Services PMI (E: 53.9) for December will also be released and could move markets.

There are no Fed officials scheduled to speak today and earnings season is slowing down materially with just one quarterly report due today: LEN ($2.23) which will leave investors primarily focused on the key economic data due out early in the day.

 

Annual Discounts on Sevens Report, Alpha, Quarterly Letter and Technicals

We’ve recently been contacted by advisor subscribers who want to use the remainder of their 2025 pre-tax research budgets to extend their current subscriptions, upgrade to an annual (and get a month free) or add a new product (Alpha, Quarterly Letter, Technicals).

If you have unused pre-tax research dollars, we offer month-free discounts on all our products.

If you would like to extend current subscriptions or save money by upgrading to an annual subscription (across any Sevens Report research offering), please email: info@sevensreport.com.

 

Updated Market Outlook Post Fed Decision & AI Disappointment (Still Bullish?)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Updated Market Outlook Post Fed Decision & AI Disappointment (Still Bullish?)
  • Weekly Market Preview: Does Data Stay Goldilocks (And Further Fuel RSP over SPY?)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet: Jobs Report Tomorrow is the Key Event

Futures are solidly higher on rising hopes that Kevin Warsh, not Kevin Hassett, would be the next Fed Chair.

President Trump said that Fed Governor Warsh had moved to the top of his Fed Chir list and that’s positive as markets view Warsh as more independent then Hassett.

Economically, Chinese data disappointed as retail sales, industrial production and Fixed Asset Investment missed estimates.

Today focus will be on economic data via the first data point for December, Empire Manufacturing (10.6).  This is a volatile metric but as long as it’s mostly stable (so no big drop) it shouldn’t weigh on markets.

We also get the Housing Market Index (E: 38) and have two Fed speakers: Miran (9:30 a.m. ET) and Williams (10:30 a.m. ET).  Of the two, Williams is the most important and if he’s dovish, it should help support markets.

 

Post Fed Money Flows Highlight 2026 Positioning Risk

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Post Fed Money Flows Highlight 2026 Positioning Risk

Futures are mixed as tech stocks drop on more underwhelming earnings (AVGO) while the rest of the market trades higher.

Broadcom (AVGO) beat on earnings and revenue but concerns about the sustainability of the performance weighed on the stock and it’s down –6% pre-market.

Economic data slightly underwhelmed as UK GDP and Industrial Production both slightly missed estimates.

Today there are no notable economic reports but there are three Fed speakers: Paulson (8:00 a.m. ET), Hammack (8:30 a.m. ET and Goolsbee (10:35 a.m. ET).  Of the three, Goolsbee is the most important because he dissented on Wednesday and voted for no rate cut, so hearing his reasoning will be notable for markets (and if he’s more hawkish than expected it could be a mild headwind on stocks).

 

What the Fed Decision Means for Markets (Bullish Short-Term but Not Long Term)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What the Fed Decision Means for Markets (Bullish Short-Term but Not Long Term)

Futures are moderately lower as disappointing ORCL earnings reversed Wednesday’s post Fed rally.

ORCL posted underwhelming quarterly results (ORCL down –11% pre-market) and did little to reduce fiscal concerns, further stoking AI skepticism and weighing on tech broadly.

Economically, the only notable report overnight was Italian Unemployment which met expectations (6.1%).

Today focus will be on economic data via Initial Jobless Claims (E: 220k) and an in-line number will be generally positive for markets as it implies solid growth.  Beyond economic data, important earnings loom after the close including, in order of importance:  AVGO ($1.49), LULU ($2.22), COST ($4.26) and RH ($2.13).  Solid AVGO earnings to help offset ORCL disappointment would help the market finish the week strong.