What the Fed Decision Means for Markets

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What the Fed Decision Means for Markets

Futures are moderately higher on more trade optimism.

President Trump posted on social media that he would announce a new trade deal this morning (likely with the UK) and this is driving optimism for more tariff relief.

Economically, the only notable report was German Industrial Production, which beat estimates (3.0% vs. (E) 2.7%).

Today focus will remain on economic data and specifically Jobless Claims (E: 232K), as investors will want to see claims decline from last week’s spike.  If claims continue to rise, that will increase economic anxiety (and likely pressure stocks).  Other economic events today include a BOE Rate Decision (E: 25 bps cut) and U.S. Unit Labor Costs (E: 5.2%), which are an important measure of inflation (and again, the lower this number, the better).

On earnings, the season is virtually over but there are a few notable reports today:  SHOP ($0.17), COP ($2.06),  COIN ($2.04), MELI ($7.67), AFRM ($-0.08).

Monthly Bitcoin & Crypto Update

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Monthly Bitcoin & Crypto Update

Futures are higher on news the U.S. and China will hold preliminary trade talks in Switzerland Saturday which offset soft tech earnings from SMCI as focus turns to the Fed.

Economically, German Manufacturing Orders jumped 3.6% vs. (E) 1.0% while EU Retail Sales fell -0.1% vs. (E) 0.0%.

Looking ahead to the U.S. session, there is one economic report this afternoon: Consumer Credit (E: $10.0B), but the data is unlikely to move markets given the afternoon Fed decision.

Trader focus will be on any trade headlines this morning before attention turns to the Fed with the FOMC Announcement (2:00 p.m. ET), and Fed Chair Press Conference (2:30 p.m. ET) mid-afternoon.

There are some more late season earnings releases to watch that could move markets in pre-market/after-hours trade including: UBER ($0.51), DIS ($1.18), GOLD ($0.29), CVNA ($0.75), OXY ($0.73), and CLF ($-0.78).

Bottom line, focus is on the Fed today and while no change in the policy rate is expected, traders will be scrutinizing the meeting statement for any changes regarding economic uncertainty or hints on when the FOMC may lower rates next during Powell’s press conference. The more dovish the language and commentary, the better for equities today.

FOMC Preview

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • FOMC Preview
  • ISM Services PMI Takeaways – Resilience Points to Soft Landing

Stock futures are lower thanks to a combination of weak earnings news and disappointing economic data overnight.

On the earnings front, PLTR missed estimates (shares down -8% in premarket trading) while F pulled 2025 guidance noting a tariff impact estimated to be -$2.5B on this year’s earnings.

Economically, China’s Service PMI fell to 50.7 vs. (E) 51.8 in April which dragged the Composite PMI down from 51.8 to 51.1, highlighting the negative impact the global trade war is having on the Chinese economy.

Looking into today’s session, there is one economic report to watch: International Trade Balance (E: -$136.3B). Typically, trade data is now widely followed, however given the trade war, a deeper than anticipated deficit could bolster recession angst.

Moving to the afternoon, the Treasury will hold a 6-Week Bill auction at 11:30 a.m. ET and a 10-Yr Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET. The outcome of the former could shed light on near-term rate-cut odds while the latter auction could offer insight into growth and inflation expectations.

Finally, some late season earnings are due out today including: MAR ($2.27), CEG ($2.14), AMD ($0.75), SMCI ($0.21), and ET ($0.33).

Bottom line, good economic news and dovish money flows in Treasury auctions could help stabilize markets as the Fed meeting gets underway in Washington which will likely result in a growing sense of “Fed paralysis” as the session progresses today.

Can the Rally Keep Going?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Can the Rally Keep Going?
  • Weekly Market Preview: Does the Fed Signal a June Rate Cut?  (And What Does Trump Do If Not?)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  More Signs of Slowing Growth?

Futures are moderately lower on digestion of Friday’s rally and following more tariff threats from President Trump.

President Trump threatened 100% tariffs on movies made outside the U.S., reminding investors that tariff risks remain elevated.

Oil prices are down 1% after OPEC+ increased output by 411k bbls/day starting in July (Saudi Arabia is trying to increase market share and that’s driving oil prices lower).

Today focus will be on the ISM Services PMI (E: 50.2) and if that number drops solidly below 50, we will see economic anxiety rise (the stronger this number, the better).

Earnings season is practically over but there are still some notable reports to watch, including: ON ($0.51) and PLTR ($0.08).

Jobs Day

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Day
  • Will “Sell in May and Go Away” Work This Year?
  • Interesting Signal from the VIX

Futures are modestly higher as positive trade comments from China offset disappointing earnings overnight.

China’s Commerce Ministry issued a statement saying it was potentially open to trade talks with the U.S., stoking speculation that trade negotiations will begin soon.

Earnings overnight were soft as AAPL (down 3% pre-market) and AMZN (-1.3% pre-market) both disappointed.

Today focus will be on the jobs report and expectations are as follows:  130K Job-Adds, 4.2% Unemployment Rate, 3.9% y/y Wage Growth.  Put simply, the stronger this number, the better, as it’s almost impossible that it’ll come in too hot while a strong number (ideally with tame wages) will push back on stagflation fears.

On earnings, the peak of the season is now behind us (on balance it’s been better than feared) but there are a few notable reports to watch today: XOM ($1.74), CI ($6.39), CVX ($2.15).

Jobs Report Preview: Recession Risks Rising?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Report Preview: Recession Risks Rising?

Futures are sharply higher on strong earnings overnight.

META (up 6% pre-market) and MSFT (up 9% pre-market) both beat estimates and posted strong guidance and that’s helping futures rally.

Economically, the only notable report was UK Manufacturing PMI, which beat estimates (45.4 vs. (E) 44.0).

Today will be an important day for economic data and earnings.  On the data front, the two key reports today are Jobless Claims (E: 221K) and the ISM Manufacturing PMI (E: 47.9).  The stronger these reports are, the better for stocks as they’ll push back on slowdown fears.

On the earnings front, AMZN ($1.35) and AAPL ($1.61) are the most important reports (both after the close) but there are several other notable earnings as well: LLY ($3.52), CVS ($1.67), MA ($3.57).

Contrarian Indicator: Sentiment & Confidence Hit Historic Lows

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Consumer and Investors Haven’t Been This Negative in Well Over a Decade (Contrarian Indicator)
  • JOLTS Takeaways – Labor Market Shows Signs of Deterioration
  • Consumer Expectations Plunge Due to Bleak Outlook

Stock futures are lower as weak tech-sector earnings offset mostly positive economic data overnight.

SMCI (-16% premarket) missed on earnings and lowered 2025 guidance which is weighing on big-tech stocks this morning, dragging the broader market lower in the pre-market.

Economically, China’s Manufacturing PMI beat estimates while Eurozone GDP was inline.

Today, there is a slew of economic data to watch early in the day including the ADP Employment Report (E: 125K), Q1 GDP (E: 0.2%), Chicago PMI (E: 45.8), Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.1% m/m, 2.6% y/y), and Pending Home Sales (E: 1.0%).

The Core PCE Price Index will be the key figure to watch as it is the Fed’s preferred inflation measure and a hot print could add to worries about the Fed’s ability to achieve their dual-mandate with growing inflation risks and declining growth metrics in 2025.

In the afternoon, focus will shift to earnings as several mega-cap tech companies are due to report earnings after the close including: MSFT ($3.20), META ($5.22), QCOM ($2.27) as well as other non-tech companies HUM ($9.98) and CAT ($4.30).

A Wildcard to Watch: Legal Challenges to Trump’s Tariffs

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Wildcard to Watch: Legal Challenges to Trump’s Tariffs
  • The “Rest of the Market” Continues to Outperform – Chart

Stock futures are wavering between gains and losses this morning as traders digest potential tariff relief for auto imports and position into more mega-cap earnings reports.

Economically, Germany’s GfK Consumer Climate Index rose to -20.6 vs. (E) -25.5, helping German markets outperform with the DAX up ~0.75% this morning.

Today, focus will be on economic data early with International Trade in Goods (E: $-142.0B), Case-Shiller Home Price Index (E: 4.7%), FHFA House Price Index (E: 0.3%), Consumer Confidence (E: 87.5), and JOLTS (E: 7.464 million) data all due to be released.

Earnings season also continues today with noteworthy companies reporting results including: PYPL ($1.15), UPS ($1.42), KO ($0.71), V ($2.68), and SBUX ($0.49).

Can Trump’s “Happy Talk” Keep the S&P 500 Above 5,500?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Can Trump’s “Happy Talk” Keep the S&P 500 Above 5,500?
  • Weekly Market Preview:  More Insight on Tariff Fallout (Important Earnings and Economic Data)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Jobs Report on Friday and ISM Manufacturing on Thursday are Key Reports to Watch

Futures are modestly weaker following a mostly quiet weekend of news as investors await more clarity on trade deals and insights on how much damage tariffs will do to the economy.

There were no new trade headlines over the weekend (not even notable social media posts) although investors are hopeful trade deals will be announced soon, possibly this week.

Today markets should be quiet (assuming no trade surprises) as there is no notable economic data, no Fed speakers and just one notable earnings report, NXPI ($2.18).  However, don’t let the slow start fool you, as this will be a very busy week of important earnings (AMZN, AAPL, META, MSFT, V) and economic data and as the week moves on, the busier it will get.

Reading Market Volatility: If, Then.

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Reading Market Volatility:  If, Then…

Futures are little changed despite solid earnings overnight and more signs of trade war de-escalation.

GOOGL posted stronger than expected results and tech earnings broadly last night were solid, boosting the sector.

On trade, China exempted several categories of U.S. imports from 125% tariffs in a further small de-escalation of trade tensions.

Trade headlines will continue to dominate intra-day trading today but there’s also a notable economic report this morning via University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment (E: 50.8).  The key part of this report will be the inflation expectations and estimates are as follows: One Year Inflation Expectations: 6.7%, Five-Year Inflation Expectations 4.4%.  If the actual data is hotter than those estimates, it will put upward pressure on yields and could weigh on stocks.

On earnings, results so far have been better than expected and that has helped this rally.  Notable results today include: ABBV ($2.40),  CHTR ($8.53) and PSX ($-0.77).