FOMC Preview: How Likely is a Rate Hike?

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • FOMC Preview: How Likely Is a Rate Hike?
  • The Real Reason Oil Plunged on Monday

Futures are modestly lower following a quiet night of news as markets digest recent tech volatility ahead of earnings while oil fell further on U.S./Iran ceasefire optimism.

Oil prices declined another 2% overnight on more positive ceasefire commentary from Washington.

Today economic data centers on housing via the Case-Shiller Home Price Index (E: 0.0%) and FHFA House Price Index (E: 0.0%) and since they can be big influences on inflation stats (especially CPI), better than expected numbers will be a mild positive.  We also get Consumer Confidence (E: 92.3) but that shouldn’t move markets.

On earnings, the key tech reports start tomorrow but some reports we’re watching today include: PYPL ($1.28), BA ($-0.34), KO ($0.92), UPS ($1.65), DINO ($4.39), V ($3.23), STX ($4.89) and ENPH ($0.16).

 

Ranking the Market’s Five Biggest Problems

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Ranking the Market’s Five Biggest “Problems”
  • Weekly Market Preview: Fed in Focus as Mega-Cap Earnings Continue
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet: Durable Goods to Shed Light on Business Spending

U.S. futures are tracking global equities higher as part of a broad “risk-on/war-off” move with oil down ~7%, and bond yields lower by 3-5 bp across the curve after the U.S. and Iran halted military strikes amid fresh prospects for a new ceasefire deal.

Economically, the July German Ifo Survey was net positive as Current Conditions came in solid at 86.5 vs. (E) 84.4 which added to the positive sentiment to start the week.

Today we will get one of the more important economic data points of the week via the release of June Durable Goods Orders report (E: 1.6%). Investors will be looking for a healthy, but not “too-hot” release as too strong of a print could put renewed upward pressure on yields.

There are no Fed speakers today with the July FOMC meeting getting underway tomorrow, however, there is a 5-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET which could move the bond market and impact equities.

Finally, Q2 earnings season remains in full swing with quarterly results due out from AZN ($2.50), BKR ($0.51), APLD ($-0.20), NVTS ($-0.04), NUE ($4.57), and UHS ($5.66) before the bulk of the remaining Mag-7 earnings reports are due out later this week.

 

Appearing Today on Barron’s Live at Noon ET.

I’m honored to be appearing on Barron’s Live today at noon ET with Barron’s Editor-in-Chief Ben Levisohn and Senior Managing Editor Lauren Rublin.

We’ll be discussing AI, the Iran war, oil prices, rising bond yields, and other market matters!

Click this link to register and listen live!

 

What’s the Reward for Taking Equity Risk Right Now?

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What’s the Reward for Taking Equity Risk Right Now?
  • Jobless Claims Takeaways – Initial Claims Plunge to Multi-Decade Lows

Futures are tentatively higher following yesterday’s biggest stock market selloff of July with oil down 2%-3% amid quiet geopolitical news while global PMI data beat estimates.

Economic data overnight was strong with U.K. Retail Sales jumping 4.2% vs. (E) 2.0% y/y while the EU Composite Flash PMI firmed from 50.0 to 51.9 vs. (E) 50.1 in July.

Looking ahead to today’s session, there are two notable releases to watch in the U.S., the July PMI Composite Flash (E: 54.2) and New Home Sales (E: 613K) for June.

There are no Fed speakers or Treasury auctions today so investors will be looking for Goldilocks data (resilient, steady growth and cooling inflation trends) and easing geopolitical tensions in order for this morning’s rebound to hold.

Finally, earnings season continues today with noteworthy companies reporting Q2 results including: VZ ($1.27), AXP ($4.41), NEE ($1.08), CHTR ($9.66), and HCA ($7.57).

 

Two Themes to Watch in Looming AI Earnings

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Two Themes to Watch in Looming AI Earnings
  • What Is the Bab el-Mandeb and Why Is It a Problem?

Futures are modestly lower on rising geopolitical concerns and mixed tech earnings.

GOOGL earnings were solid but the company boosted capex spending plans, increasing concerns about future free cash flow and tech stocks are lower in response.

Geopolitically, Houthis attacked two Saudi ships in the Red Sea, further disrupting global oil transit (oil is up 4%).

Today the only notable economic report is Jobless Claims (E: 214K) and that shouldn’t move markets, so focus will remain on geopolitics (any progress at all towards a ceasefire will pressure oil prices and boost stocks) and on the reaction from tech stocks to mixed earnings (if tech stocks stay soft post GOOGL earnings it’ll weigh on the major indices).

Earnings season continues, meanwhile, and some important reports we’re watching today include: INTC ($0.21), NOK ($0.07), AAL ($0.03), BX ($1.32), LMT ($7.32), FCX ($0.60), RTX ($1.66).

 

Sevens Report Technicals

When sector volatility reaches levels only seen around 2000, 2001, and 2009, it deserves more than a passing glance. That’s exactly what we explore in this week’s Sevens Report Technicals.

Beyond the major indices, we examine where money is rotating beneath the surface, why Value continues to outperform Growth, how Treasury, credit, and volatility markets are either confirming or challenging the equity narrative, and what those signals could mean for portfolio positioning.

If you want to better understand whether this is simply another pullback or the beginning of a more meaningful shift in market leadership, click here to learn more about this week’s Technicals report and see why advisors rely on it to stay one step ahead.

 

Tech Decline Part Two: Staying Long With Less Risk

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Tech Decline Part Two: Ways to Stay Long Tech But Reduce AI Infrastructure

Futures are in the red as oil prices hit six-week highs overnight (WTI topped $88/barrel) amid ongoing geopolitical angst surrounding the U.S.-Iran war, but global equities are stabilizing as the fear bid in energy is beginning to show signs of near-term exhaustion.

Economically, U.K. CPI fell -0.2% to 2.6% vs. (E) 2.7% Y/Y while Core CPI held steady at 2.6% vs. (E) 2.5% Y/Y, the latest evidence that global inflation pressures have potentially peaked.

There are no noteworthy economic reports today and no Fed officials are scheduled to speak (pre-July meeting blackout period) but there is a 20-Yr Treasury Bond auction at 1:00 p.m. ET that could shed light on longer-term inflation expectations and potentially impact equities (the stronger the demand for the bonds, the better).

The primary focus of today’s session will remain the fluid geopolitical conflict in the Middle East (any signs of a ceasefire deal on the table will be a positive) and the Q2 earnings season which remains in full swing with GEV ($3.16), T ($0.59), PM ($2.04), TSLA ($0.53), GOOGL ($2.87), TXN ($1.91), and LUV ($0.52) all due to release quarterly results today.

 

Tech Decline Part One: Five Reasons Tech Has Dropped

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Tech Decline Part One: Five Reasons Tech Has Dropped

Futures are higher as global tech shares rebound amid easing geopolitical fears with focus shifting to key tech/semiconductor earnings looming.

Economically, the U.K. Unemployment Rate held steady at 4.9% vs. (E) 5.0% while the German ZEW Survey’s Economic Sentiment figure jumped 8.3 points to 26.3 vs. (E) 18.0 helping shore up global growth estimates.

There are no notable economic reports today and no Fed officials are scheduled to speak, however there is a 6-Week Treasury Bill auction at 11:30 a.m. ET.

The quiet macro calendar will leave trader focus on earnings with HAL ($0.54), GM ($3.13), SCHW ($1.53), MMM ($2.27), ALK ($-0.97), COF ($4.88), and IBKR ($0.63) all due to report quarterly results today.

 

Did Markets Pass or Fail the Three Tests Last Week?

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Did Markets Pass or Fail the Three Tests Last Week?
  • Weekly Market Preview: Focus on Earnings This Week
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet: Important Growth Updates

Futures are slightly higher as markets bounce from Friday’s declines despite further escalation between the U.S. and Iran over the weekend.

Oil prices hit $90/bbl overnight on continued escalation between the U.S. and Iran but pulled back and are flat after both sides reiterated they are still open to negotiations.

Economically, there was more positive inflation data as German PPI fell more than expected (-0.3% vs. (E) -0.2%).

Today there are no notable economic reports but focus will remain on geopolitics and any progress (at all) on a new ceasefire agreement will be a positive for stocks.

On earnings, this week is an important one although most of the major reports come later this week.  Some results we’re watching today include: DPZ ($4.09), AMC ($-0.01), STLD ($3.66).

 

What is the Copper-Gold Ratio Telling Us About This Market?

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What is the Copper-Gold Ratio Telling Us About This Market?

Futures are sharply lower as the selling in tech continued overnight and that is dragging the entire market lower.

Nothing especially “negative” happened overnight but the reality is it’s been a tough week for tech (ASML and TSM earnings weren’t good enough and IBM was bad) and given elevated valuations, it’s triggering intense selling.

Geopolitically, Iran and the U.S. continued to trade strikes but the conflict did not materially escalate.

Focus today will stay on economics and the most important report is the University of Michigan Inflation Expectations, and if they decline solidly that should pressure yields and help support this market.  Away from inflation we also get Industrial Production (E: 0.2%) and Consumer Sentiment (E: 51.3) and the stronger those reports, the better.

Earnings season also continues with a focus today on regional banks including: RF ($0.64), TFC ($1.08), FITB ($0.98), TRV ($5.16).

 

Tom Essaye Interviewed on Yahoo Finance

/in , /by

It’s definitely been a surprise, Says Tom Essaye

June CPI sparks debate over the Fed’s next move on interest rates

Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi, Senior Business Reporter Brooke DiPalma, and Sevens Report Research founder Tom Essaye discuss the June Consumer Price Index (CPI) report and what it means for the outlook on inflation, the Federal Reserve, and the path forwasaysrd for interest rates.

It’s definitely been a surprise. He has definitely come out more hawkish than I think people have thought in his tone. But, you know, we also have to focus on what the Fed does and if we cut through kind of the very short statement and some of his commentary, the Fed really didn’t do and exactly what we thought they were going to do and they’re most likely going to do in July, what we think they’re going to do, which is nothing.

So certainly, I think that he is trying to use a little bit of a hawkish tone to help the market do some work for him on rates and to pressure inflation. But while the CPI print was positive, the market’s always what have you done for me lately, right?

And so now we’re looking at oil higher and even if inflation peaked in June or in May, which it probably did for the year, it still has to decline further to take rate hikes off the table for later in 2026. We’ve got to see some more continuation of these numbers in the coming months.

Also, click here to view the full video published on Yahoo Finance on July 14th, 2026. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

If you want research that comes with no long term commitment, yet provides independent, value added, plain English analysis of complex macro topics, then begin your Sevens Report subscription today by clicking here.

To strengthen your market knowledge take a free trial of The Sevens Report.

Join hundreds of advisors from huge brokerage firms like Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo Advisors, Raymond James, and more! To start your quarterly subscription and see how The Sevens Report can help you grow your business, click here.

How to Talk to Clients About the Latest in Iran

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • How to Talk to Clients About the Latest in Iran

Futures are slightly lower following disappointing tech earnings and more strikes between the U.S. and Iran.

Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) posted “not good enough” earnings and the stock is down –4% pre-market and that’s weighing on futures.

Focus today will stay on economic data, the Fed and earnings.  On the data front, the key reports are, in order of importance:   Retail Sales (E: -0.3%), Philly Fed (E: 3.0) and Jobless Claims (E: 220K).

Looking at the Fed, there are several speakers including Logan (12:30 p.m. ET), Schmid (1:25 p.m. ET) and  Jefferson (7:00 p.m. ET) although given the Warsh and Williams comments yesterday, these speakers will need to be very hawkish or dovish to move markets.

Finally, earnings season continues and key reports today include: UNH ($4.87), TSM ($3.87), GE ($1.86), ABT ($1.28), NFLX ($0.79), ISRG ($2.50), AA ($2.33).

 

Alpha Webinar Today at 1:30 p.m. ET: Where the AI Trade Goes Next

AI remains one of the most important investment themes in this market, but it’s no longer enough to simply be “bullish AI.” Leadership within the trade is changing, performance is becoming much more selective, and the next winners may look very different from the last winners.

In today’s Alpha Webinar (1:30 p.m. ET), we’ll explain how the AI trade is evolving, identify the groups we believe are best positioned for the next phase of the cycle, discuss the biggest risks investors should be watching, and outline what all of this means for portfolios over the coming months.

If AI is an important part of your investment process, join us this afternoon. Click here to register.