The Bull Case vs. the Bear Case (Updated Post Tariffs)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • The Bull Case vs. the Bear Case (Updated Post Tariffs)
  • Jobs Day

Futures are sharply lower again (down more than 2%) as there were no incrementally positive trade headlines overnight.

Unsurprisingly, messaging from the White House was contradictory overnight, as President Trump said he’s open to negotiations on tariff reduction while aides said the opposite and the mixed messaging is only increasing investor angst.

Today, trade headlines will continue to dominate markets and any continued mixed/contradictory messaging from the White House will only pressure stocks further, while any evidence that tariff reduction is possible could cause a bounce.

Away from trade, today is the jobs report and expectations are as follows:  131K Job-Adds, 4.2% Unemployment Rate, 4.0% y/y Wage Growth.  If the jobs report is soft, it’ll only make the selloff worse as recession fears rise, while a strong jobs report will likely be dismissed as “outdated” now that we have the new tariff regime.

Finally, Fed Chair Powell speaks at 11:25 a.m. ET and if he’s dovish there could be a mild bounce in stocks, but I’m afraid the Fed can’t really fix this problem for the markets.  There are two other Fed speakers,  Barr (12:00 p.m. ET) and Waller (12:45 p.m. ET) but they shouldn’t move markets.

That marks the start of what could be a crippling trend of declining demand

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That marks the start of what could be a crippling trend of declining demand: Tyler Richey Quoted in Market Watch

U.S. oil supplies rise sharply, and trade-war ‘angst’ may be to blame for a drop in demand

“If that drop in demand is being fueled by tariff worries and trade-war angst … then that marks the start of what could be a crippling trend of declining demand that would, barring supply-side surprises, spark a selloff in oil,” Tyler Richey, co-editor at Sevens Report Research, told MarketWatch. That could see U.S. benchmark prices begin to sell off toward the downside target of between $57 and $58 a barrel, he said. May West Texas Intermediate crude was up 21 cents, or 0.3%, at $71.41 a barrel, after losing 0.4% Tuesday.

Also, click here to view the full MarketWatch article published on April 2nd, 2025. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

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Dow Theory flipped to a bearish signal

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Dow Theory flipped to a bearish signal: Sevens Report Analysts Quoted in Investing.com

Warning: ’Dow Theory’ flips from bullish to bearish for first time since July 2023

According to the Sevens Report, Dow Theory flipped to a bearish signal on March 14, ending a bullish stretch that began in July 2023.

“A bearish reversal in Dow Theory effectively means that the bull market off the October 2022 lows has either ended or is in the process of ending,” the report said. While the S&P 500 remains near multi-week highs, the signal implies rising downside risks as macro uncertainty builds.

The system has a reputation for lagging but historically offers “a relatively high conviction bullish or bearish call for the primary trend in the stock market once a reversal is ‘confirmed’,” Sevens Report explained.

Importantly, Sevens Report stresses that the signal is not just a technical indicator. “If everything is priced in and both the Dow Industrials and Dow Transports have or are in the process of falling into technical downtrends, then the economy is very likely already in contraction and falling into recession, based on history.”

Also, click here to view the full article featured on Investing.com published on March 26th, 2025. 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.

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Is the Tariff Announcement A Bearish Gamechanger?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is the Tariff Announcement A Bearish Gamechanger?
  • Jobs Report Preview

Global markets are sharply lower as S&P 500 futures fall three percent in response to President Trump’s worse than feared reciprocal tariff announcement.

President Trump announced baseline 10% tariffs on virtually all imports and dramatically higher tariffs on numerous major trading partners, dramatically intensifying the global trade war and spiking global recession concerns.

Today focus will remain on trade and any hint that the announced tariffs could be negotiated lower will help stocks bounce, while the administration dismissing negotiations will only add more downward pressures to markets.

Away from trade, there are several important economic reports today including Jobless Claims (E: 226K) and the ISM Services PMI (E: 53.0).  If those numbers disappoint, the selling will get worse as recession fears surge.  Finally, there are two Fed speakers today, Jefferson (12:30 p.m. ET) and Cook (3:30 p.m. ET), although they shouldn’t move markets.

Tariff Preview (Good/Bad/Ugly)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Tariff Preview – Good/Bad/Ugly
  • Table: U.S. Trade Grievances Visualized
  • ISM Manufacturing PMI and JOLTS Takeaways

A modest risk-off move in global markets overnight intensified during the last hour thanks to reports that China is “restricting companies from investing in the U.S.,” adding to trade war angst ahead of Trump’s tariff announcement.

There were not noteworthy economic reports overnight and no market moving headlines aside from the China/U.S. investment news.

Looking into today’s session, traders will be watching several important economic reports including: The ADP Employment Report (E: 120K), Factory Orders (E: 0.5%), and monthly Motor Vehicle Sales (E: 16.0 million) and there is one Fed official scheduled to speak after the close: Kugler (4:30 p.m.ET).

Unless there are any premature tariff details leaked or released ahead of time, however, the market’s main focus today will be on President Trump’s “Make America Wealthy Again” remarks regarding the administration’s tariff plans which are scheduled to be delivered from the Rose Garden at 4:00 p.m. ET.

What worked in the first quarter would continue to work in the second

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What worked in the first quarter would continue to work in the second: Tom Essaye Quoted in Business Insider

Buy the dip or stay defensive? Where to invest as tariffs roil stocks

Tom Essaye, the founder of Sevens Report Research, said what worked in the first quarter would continue to work in the second.

That is, basically everything except for tech, consumer discretionary, communication services, and industrials. Those are the four S&P 500 sectors, out of 11, that are in the red so far this year.

Energy and defensive sectors — which are usually healthcare, utilities, and consumer staples — in particular, should outperform in the months ahead, Essaye said.

“Tariffs are going to continue to cause whiplash, but there are parts of the market that are actually performing pretty well,” he said.

Also, click here to view the full Business Insider article published on April 1st, 2025. 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.

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The name is still too expensive to buy, Essaye said

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The name is still too expensive to buy: Tom Essaye Quoted on Yahoo Finance

Palantir (PLTR) Is Called Too Expensive by Schwab Guests

Similarly, Essaye said that PLTR should be examined “in a context of reasonable valuation.” Although the shares are down a great deal from their highs, the name is still too expensive to buy, Essaye said. He added that the stock is being pressured by worries over the AI sector and fears about lower spending on contracts by Washington.

“Federal contracts are a large part of the company’s business,” Essaye noted.

Expressing his view of PLTR more bluntly, Essaye said that it “can continue to decline,” adding that it would have to drop a great deal more before he would “become interested” in it.

“It’s a good company, but it’s so richly valued that it can fall quite a bit more before value buyers step in,” he warned.

Also, click here to view the full article featured on Yahoo Finance published on April 1st, 2025. 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.

Is the Bond Market Warning About an Economic Slowdown?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is the Bond Market Warning About an Economic Slowdown?

Markets are trading with a risk-off tone to start Q2 this morning with equity futures modestly lower while safe-haven Treasuries and gold rally as traders look ahead to the Trump administration’s looming tariff announcements.

Economically, China’s March Manufacturing PMI rose to 51.2 vs. (E) 50.6.

In Europe, the March Manufacturing PMI rose to 48.6 vs. (E) 48.7, Narrow Core HICP fell to 2.4% vs. (E) 2.6% y/y, and the UE Rate fell to 6.1% vs. (E) 6.2%.

The mostly encouraging global economic data overnight is helping drive overseas equity markets higher this morning despite the weakness in U.S. futures.

Looking into today’s session, a busy week of domestic economic data releases kicks off with the ISM Manufacturing Index (E: 49.6) and JOLTS (E: 7.6 million) both due to be released shortly after the bell.

Additionally, there is one Fed speaker: Barkin (9:00 a.m. ET). Investors will be looking for a dovish tone from Barkin and “Goldilocks” economic data with stable growth and evidence of cooling or at least steady inflation pressures.

 

Sevens Report Quarterly Letter Delivered Today

Our Q1 ’25 Quarterly Letter will be released today.

We use our strength (writing about the markets) to help you:

  • Save time (an average of 4-6 hours per quarterly letter)… and
  • Show you’re on top of markets with impressive, compelling market analysis.

You can view our Q4 ’24 Quarterly Letter here. To learn more about the product (including price) please click this link.  If you’re interested in subscribing, please email info@sevensreport.com.

 

Tariff Week

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Tariff Week
  • Weekly Market Preview:  All About Tariffs (How Bad Will It Be?)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Is the U.S. Economy Rolling Over?  (We Get the Big Three Economic Reports This Week)

Futures are sharply lower as articles over the weekend implied the looming tariff announcements could be both chaotic and more far-reaching than previously thought.

The WSJ, Politico, New York Times and others warned the administration’s tariff policy 1) Isn’t yet finalized (raising fears of more policy whiplash) and 2) Is more intense than articles implied last week.

Economically, Chinese economic data was good as March manufacturing and services PMIs both beat estimates.

This week is a potentially pivotal one for markets with Wednesday’s looming tariff announcements and key economic data but it starts slowly as there are no notable reports today.  As such, we can expect tariff preview articles to drive trading (and the more articles point to intense tariffs, the lower stocks will go).

New ETFs for Your Watchlist

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • New ETFs for Your Watchlist
  • GDP Details Point to Economic Weakness Emerging in Q4

U.S. equity futures are flat to lower this morning as traders continue to digest this week’s fluid tariff and trade war developments ahead of critical domestic inflation data.

Economically, Germany’s GfK Consumer Climate Index came in at -24.5 vs. (E) -22.0 while the official German Unemployment Rate ticked up 0.1% to 6.3% vs. (E) 6.2%. The downbeat German data is weighing on EU markets.

Today, focus will be on inflation data early with the Fed’s preferred inflation metric due out ahead of the bell: PCE Price Index (E: 0.3% m/m, 2.5% y/y), Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.3% m/m, 2.7% y/y). A cooler-than-expected or in-line number will be well-received by investors.

Then after the open, the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index will be released (E: 57.9, 1-Yr Inflation Expectations: 4.9%) and markets will want to see a stabilizing headline and steady or lower 1-Yr inflation expectations in order for markets to stage a rebound.

Finally, there are two Fed speakers this afternoon: Barr (12:15 p.m. ET) and Bostic (3:30 p.m. ET). Fed speak has been on the hawkish/cautious side this week so any encouraging commentary or a dovish tone would be welcomed, especially in the wake of “cool” inflation data.