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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What Does the Hot CPI Report Mean for Markets

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Does the Hot CPI Report Mean for Markets?
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are modestly lower and extending yesterdays’ declines ahead of more inflation readings and following disappointing Chinese economic data.

China’s CPI rose less than expected (0.1% vs. (E) 0.5%) and in China that’s a negative as deflation remains a major risk in that slow-growth economy.

Geopolitically, U.S. officials have warned about an imminent Iranian retaliation against Israel either directly or via proxy groups.

Today will be another busy day of events and following the hot CPI, today’s PPI (E: 0.3% m/m, 2.3% y/y) will be in focus. If it rises more than expected, look for higher yields and lower stock prices.  Conversely, if PPI is lower than expected it should deliver a bit of relief and potentially cause a bounce in stocks (and decline in yields).  Other notable events today include the ECB Rate Decision (E: No Change) and Jobless Claims (E: 215k).

Finally, there three Fed speakers today:  Williams (8:45 a.m.), Barkin (10:00 a.m.), Bostic (1:30 p.m.).  If they push back on rate cut hopes following yesterday’s CPI expect more pressure on stocks and if they are partially dismissive of it, expect a rebound.

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The Most Important Long-Term Market Indicator

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • The Most Important Long-Term Indicator for Markets
  • Remaining Catalysts This Week
  • Chart: 2-Yr Yield Quietly Breaks Out to New 2024 Highs

S&P futures are flat while Treasury yields are slightly lower and the dollar is little changed following a quiet night of news ahead of today’s critical U.S. CPI report.

In corporate news, TSM reported the fastest revenue growth since 2022, renewing some AI optimism in global markets.

The biggest catalyst of the day will hit before the bell with CPI (E: 0.3% m/m, 3.5% y/y) and Core CPI (E: 0.3% m/m, 3.7% y/y) being reported at 8:30 a.m. ET. Simply put, a “hot” print will be hawkish and bad for stocks; a “cool” print will be “risk-on.”

There are no other economic reports on the calendar, however, there is a 10-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET and the monthly Treasury Statement (-$340B) will hit the wires at 2:00 p.m. ET. Both could move yields and impact stocks (higher yields will pressure equities).

Regarding the Fed, there are two speakers on the schedule today, Bowman right after CPI (8:45 a.m. ET), and Goolsbee mid-day (12:45 p.m. ET) before the March FOMC Meeting Minutes are released mid-afternoon (2:00 p.m. ET).

Any hawkishness in the speakers’ tone or language that points to “higher for longer” policy will be negative for stocks. Conversely, if a summer cut and three total 2024 rate cuts are reinforced that will support risk assets and rally stocks broadly.

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CPI Preview: Good, Bad, Ugly

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • CPI Preview: Good, Bad, Ugly
  • Where to Find Rate Cut Probabilities

Stock futures are modestly higher this morning as the bond market steadies ahead of tomorrow’s key inflation data while financial newswires were mostly quiet overnight.

Overseas, Taiwan’s headline CPI fell sharply from 3.1% to 2.1% vs (E) 2.5% in March. Domestically, the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index dropped to 88.5 vs. (E) 89.9.

Looking ahead to today’s session, there are no economic reports today and no Fed officials are scheduled to speak which is setting up a fairly quiet morning in the markets.

The one potential catalysts on the calendar today is the 3-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET. Equity markets are watching yields closely here, so if today’s auction is weak and yields move higher this afternoon that will weigh on stocks and other risk assets. However, moves should be limited as traders position into tomorrow’s inflation data.

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The Most Important Short-Term Market Indicator

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • The Most Important Short-Term Market Indicator
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Will CPI Decline Further?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Inflation in Focus This Week (And It Needs to Keep Falling)

Futures are flat following a mostly quiet weekend as markets digest Friday’s rally and look ahead to Wednesday’s CPI.

Geo-political tensions eased slightly and that’s weighing modestly on oil prices as Iran said it would not retaliate again Israel if a cease-fire in Gaza is reached.

Economically, German Industrial Production solidly beat estimates (2.1% vs. (E) 0.3%).

Today will be a mostly quiet day as there are no notable economic reports and just one Fed speaker, Kashkari (7:00 p.m. ET), but he speaks after the close.  So, digestion of Friday’s rebound and positioning ahead of Wednesday’s CPI will likely drive trading today.

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Why Did Stocks Drop Again?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Did Stocks Drop Again?
  • How High Can Gold Go?

Futures are bouncing modestly from Thursday’s afternoon selloff, following a quiet night of news and as investor look ahead to today’s jobs report.

Economic data overnight (German Manufacturers’ Orders and Euro Zone retail sales) slightly missed expectations but the numbers aren’t increasing growth worries.

Today the focus will be on the jobs report and expectations are as follows: 200K Job Adds, 3.9% Unemployment Rate, 4.1% y/y Wage Growth.  The risk for this market remains for a “Too Hot” report that shows strong job adds, low unemployment and hot wages, while a number modestly below expectations would be welcomed as “Goldilocks” and likely spur a rebound in stocks and bonds.

In addition to the jobs report, we also have several Fed speakers including Collins (8:30 a.m. ET), Barkin (9:15 a.m. ET), Logan (11:00 a.m. ET) and Bowman (12:15 p.m. ET). If their tone is hawkish, it could reduce June rate cut chances and increase volatility.

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Jobs Report Preview (An Important One)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Report Preview (An Important One)
  • Is the Short-Vol Trade Starting to Unwind?
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are modestly higher as economic data and corporate earnings were slightly better than expected.

Economically, Euro Zone and UK Composite PMIs were above 50 and that’s pushing back on EU recession worries.

On earnings, Levi Strauss (LEVI) posted strong results (stock up 9% pre-market) and that’s helping to counter soft retailer earnings from PVH and ULTA.

Markets are still sensitive to hawkish data or commentary that reduces June rate cut chances, so the focus today will be on Jobless Claims (E: 213K) and on several Fed speakers including Barkin (12:15 p.m. ET), Mester (2:00 p.m. ET) and Kugler (7:30 p.m. ET).  Tomorrow’s jobs report should keep volatility somewhat subdued, but if there are any hawkish surprises from the data or Fed speak, don’t be surprised if there’s more volatility.

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