Have We Reached Peak Hawkishness?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Are We At Peak Hawkishness?
  • Putting the Pullback in 2-Yr Yields in Perspective: Chart
  • JOLTS Fall Sharply

Stock futures are down roughly 1% this morning as investors digest the sizeable week-to-date gains amid rebounds in Treasury yields and the dollar.

Looking overseas, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand raised rates 50 bps overnight, meeting consensus expectations while the Eurozone Composite PMI came in at 48.1 vs. (E) 48.2.

Today, the focus will be on economic data early with the ADP Employment Report (E: 200K) due out before the bell as well as data on International Trade in Goods and Services (E: -$68.0B), and then the ISM Services Index (E: 56.0).

There is also one Fed official scheduled to speak in the afternoon: Bostic  (4:00 p.m. ET).

Bottom line, most of this week’s gains have been a function of renewed “peak-hawkishness” hopes however if economic data comes in stronger than expected and we see yields turn back higher and the dollar resume its rally, then we could see stocks give back some of this week’s rally which has admittedly occurred at an unsustainable pace.

Is Credit Suisse Going the Way of Lehman?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is Credit Suisse Going the Way of Lehman?
  • Chart: 10-Yr Yield Breaks Critical Uptrend
  • ISM Manufacturing Takeaways

U.S. stock futures and European equities are solidly higher this morning while bond yields continue to pull back with the dollar amid renewed hopes of a “less-hawkish pivot” by global central banks.

The RBA was seen as dovish overnight, raising their policy rate by 25 basis points vs. (E) 50 bp which is helping pressure global bond yields and support continued risk-on money flows this morning.

Economically, EU PPI rose to 5.0% vs. (E) 4.9% in August but the fact that the print was not a “hotter” surprise is also adding a tailwind to global equities this morning.

Today, there are two economic reports to watch: Factory Orders (E: 0.2%) and JOLTS (11.150M) and multiple Fed officials speaking: Williams (9:00 a.m. ET), Logan (9:00 a.m. ET), Mester (9:15 a.m. ET), Jefferson (11:45 a.m. ET), and Daly (1:00 p.m. ET).

As long as the pullback in bond yields and the dollar continue over the course of the day, stocks should be able to extend yesterday’s gains however the pace of the early quarter rebound has approached an unsustainable level and at some point, we will need to see some consolidation across asset classes.

Tom Essaye Quoted in Benzinga on September 28th, 2022

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Bank Of England Begins Purchasing UK Bonds To Stabilize Market, 10-Year US Treasury Rates Hit 4%

“Going forward, this currency and bond market volatility absolutely adds downward pressure on stocks and increases the chances we see a funding crisis of some sort that could send stocks sharply lower,” Tom Essaye said. Click here to read the full article.

Sevens Report Analysts Quoted in Market Watch on September 28th, 2022

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U.S. oil prices settle back above $80 as Hurricane Ian forces production cuts

We have to acknowledge the dominant trend is still lower for the oil market right now but we do continue to look for the market to stabilize soon as we do not believe the combination of over-compliance by OPEC+, tight global physical markets, and the geopolitical uncertainty surrounding the war in Ukraine can be solely offset by concerns about the global economy…wrote analysts at Sevens Report Research, in a note. Click here to read the full article.

What’s Needed for Markets to Stabilize

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Bottom Line:  What’s Needed for Markets to Stabilize (It’s Not That Much)
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Can Bond Yields Fall Further?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Jobs Report on Friday

Futures are slightly higher following some backtracking on the UK fiscal spending plan.

UK PM Truss has abandoned part of her spending/tax cut plan amidst market and political pressure as she will no longer eliminate the 45% top tax rate (this is a mild positive as GILT yields were slightly lower on the news).

Oil prices rallied 3% as markets expect a material production cut from OPEC+ at this week’s meeting.

Today focus will be on the ISM Manufacturing PMI (E: 52.0) and while the headline reading is important as always, the Prices index will also be closely watched.  If that index can decline below 50 it will be a strong signal that dis-inflation is starting to work its way into the economy (and that’s a good thing). There’s one Fed speakers today, Williams at 3:10 p.m. ET but he shouldn’t move markets.

Why Stocks Hit New Lows

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Stocks Hit New Lows

Futures are higher on potential improvement in the UK fiscal drama and on better than feared economic data.

UK PM Truss will meet with the UK Office for Budget Responsibility today and the hope is something comes from the meeting to further stabilize markets.

Economically, the September Chinese manufacturing PMI beat estimates and rose back above 50 (50.1 vs. (E) 49.4).

The key event today will be the result of the meeting between UK PM Truss and the Office for Budget Responsibility, as that whole situation needs to stabilize if stocks are going to hold up.  Beyond the UK fiscal drama, today there is an important inflation report, the Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.5% m/m, 4.8% y/y) but unless it surprisingly drops, it shouldn’t move markets.

Finally, there are several Fed speakers today but the most important one is Brainard (9:00 a.m. ET) and if she’s slightly dovish, that could help stocks further rally.  Other speakers include Barkin (8:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. ET), Bowman (11:00 a.m. ET) and Williams (4:15 p.m. ET).

Understanding What’s Happening in the UK and with the BOE (This Matters to U.S. Stocks and Bonds)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Understanding What’s Happening in the UK and with the BOE (This Matters to U.S. Stocks and Bonds)
  • What the Nordstream Pipeline Sabotage Means for Energy Markets

Futures are down close to 1% on digestion of Monday’s bounce and as UK PM Truss defended her spending plan.

UK Prime Minister Truss doubled down on her tax cut and spending package, calling it the “right plan.”  The market still disagrees, however, and the Pound is down –0.5% and 10-year GILT yields are up 14 bps on the comments.

Economically the only notable report was EU Economic Sentiment which missed estimates (93.7 vs. (E) 96.0).

Today the key economic report will be weekly Jobless Claims (E: 218K) and as we’ve consistently said, the sooner this number moves towards 300k, the better for markets.  We also get the final Q2 GDP (E: -0.6%) and there are two Fed speakers, Mester (1:00 p.m. ET) and Daly (4:45 p.m. ET) but they shouldn’t move markets.

Like the past several days, the British Pound and 10-year GILT yields will drive global markets.  If the Pound drops and GILT yields rise further, stocks will fall and could give back most, if not all, of yesterday’s gains.

Fundamentals Remain Bearish

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Bottom Line: Fundamentals Remain Bearish
  • Economic Data Takeaways: Durable Goods and Consumer Confidence
  • Chart: Nasdaq Holds June Lows So Far

Global equities continued to bleed lower overnight as yields and the dollar rose to new highs however those moves are reversing on the breaking news out of the BOE.

The Bank of England announced a bond-buying program aimed at stabilizing volatile market conditions and while it is not a long-term fix, markets have responded positively so far and the efforts may be enough to trigger a near-term relief rally today as the market remains oversold.

Today, there are two lesser followed economic reports due to be released: International Trade in Goods (E: -$88.7B) and Pending Home Sales (E: -0.8%) but neither should materially move markets.

The Fed speaker circuit remains busy with: Bostic (8:35 a.m. ET), Bullard (10:10 a.m. ET), Powell (10:15 a.m. ET), Bowman (11:00 a.m. ET), and Evans (2:00 p.m. ET) all speaking today. If there is any sign of a less-hawkish pivot, especially by Powell, that could bolster the early attempt at a relief rebound in stocks and other risk assets.

Finally, there is a 7-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET and if the results come in solid, which would be a contrast to yesterday’s 5-Yr auction, a pullback in yields could also be well received by equity markets and trigger a bounce.

Why the U.K. Budget Drama Matters to You

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why the U.K. Budget Drama Matters (Hint: Spiking Yields)
  • Two Technical Takeaways from Yesterday’s New Lows

Stock futures are trading cautiously higher while yields and the dollar ease from yesterday’s highs after the Fed’s Evans made some less hawkish commentary overnight.

While speaking on “Squawk Box Europe” early this morning, Charles Evans said he was getting nervous about the Fed’s pace of tightening and that if inflation peaks, the FOMC could cut rates as soon as early 2023 which has sparked a relief rally across risk assets amid renewed hopes for “peak hawkishness.”

Economically, Chinese Industrial Profits declined -2.2% in August from -1.1% in July but slowing global growth is largely priced into the market at this point.

Looking into today’s session there are multiple economic reports to watch including: Durable Goods (E: -1.2%), S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index (E: 0.3%), New Home Sales (E: 498K), and Consumer Confidence (E: 104.3). Investors will be continuing to look for slowing growth, a moderating labor market and most importantly any further signs of easing price pressures as those are all necessary components in getting the Fed to “peak hawkishness.”

Regarding the Fed, there are several officials speaking today: Powell (7:30 a.m. ET), Daly (8:35 a.m. ET), and Bullard (9:55 a.m. ET). And while it is unlikely any of them echo Evans’ dovish tone form earlier this morning, if they do come across as less hawkish, we could see a violent relief rally play out as stocks have become oversold in recent sessions.

How Bad Can It Get? (And What Makes It Stop?)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • How Bad Could It Get and What Makes It Stop?
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Can the June lows hold?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Does economic growth stay resilient?

Futures are modestly lower as global bond yields rose further while the British Pound remained extremely volatile.

The British Pound plunged to an all time low vs the dollar earlier this morning before rebounding and the extreme volatility is adding to investor worries.

Economically, the German Ifo Business Expectations Index fell to the lowest level since March 2020 (84.3 vs. (E) 87.1).

Today there are no notable economic reports but there are numerous Fed speakers, including Collins (10:00 a.m. ET), Bostic (12:00 p.m. ET), Logan (12:30 p.m. ET) and Mester (4:00 p.m. ET).  But, they shouldn’t move markets (we already know what the Fed intends to do).

Instead, the Pound and global bond yields (especially 10-year GILT yields) will determine trading today.  Markets need to see the Pound stabilize and 10-year GILT yields stop rising (they’re up nearly 60 bps in two days) to inject some macro-economic stability into the markets.  Don’t be shocked if the Bank of England announces a surprise rate hike today (or in the coming days) and if so, that should help global yields stabilize (which would be positive for sentiment and markets).