A Positive Scenario for 2023

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Bottom Line – There’s a Positive Scenario for 2023, Too
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet: Focus on Jobless Claims

U.S. equity futures are tracking global markets higher while the dollar is lower in risk-on trading this morning following more positive reopening news out of China.

China will end its eight day quarantine for inbound travelers on January 8th and scrapped international flight limits in the latest move away from Covid-Zero which is bolstering the outlook for global growth in the months ahead and markets are responding favorably to the news.

Today, there are three economic reports due to be released: International Trade in Goods (E: -$97.0B), Case Shiller Home Price Index (E: -1.2%), and FHFA House Price Index (E: -0.5%) but none of them should meaningfully impact the outlook for Fed policy and therefore are likely to have a limited impact on stocks.

There are no Fed speakers today but the Treasury will hold a 2-Yr Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET. If demand is weak and yields rise following the auction, that could weigh on equities as it would be a mildly hawkish signal from the fixed-income market as we approach the end of the year.

 

Sevens Report Q4’22 Quarterly Letter Coming January 3.

The Q4 2022 Quarterly Letter will be delivered to advisor subscribers on Tuesday, January 3.

Especially given all the volatility in 2022 and continued challenges for markets, we think the start of the year is a critically important time to communicate with clients and prospects.

We will deliver the letter on the first business day of the quarter because we want you to be able to send your quarterly letter before your competition (and with little-to-no work from you).

You can view our Q3‘22 Quarterly Letter here.

If you’d like to learn more or are interested in subscribing, please email info@sevensreport.com.

Is the Yield Curve Already Forecasting a Fed Rate Cut?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is the Yield Curve Already Forecasting a Fed Rate Cut?

Futures are slightly higher following a quiet night of news as investors digest Thursday’s declines and look ahead to the long weekend.

Economically the only notable report was Japanese CPI and it came in slightly lower than expectations at 3.7% y/y vs. (E) 3.8% y/y. but it didn’t move markets.

Today focus will be on economic data and the key reports are, in order of importance: Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.2% m/m, 4.6% y/y), University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment (E: 59.1), Durable Goods (E: -0.8%) and New Home Sales (E: 600k).   Markets will want to see further confirmation of dis-inflation in the Core PCE Price Index and the Five Year Inflation Expectations in the University of Michigan report, and if that happens it could spur a mild rally following yesterday’s declines.

Economic Breaker Panel

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • December Economic Breaker Panel

Futures are slightly lower following a disappointing earnings report by Micron (MU).

Micron (MU down –3% after hours) reported underwhelming results and guidance and announced layoffs, and that’s reversing some of the earnings-driven gains we saw in stocks on Wednesday.

Economic data remained sparse but UK GDP slightly missed estimates, falling –0.3% vs. (E) -0.2%.

Today’s focus will be on Weekly Jobless Claims (E: 225k) and this number needs to move higher (towards 300k) to show the Fed that the labor market is returning to better balance (something the Fed said is needed before they can think about a pivot).  We also get the Final Q3 GDP (E: 2.9%) but that data is very old now (July-September) and it shouldn’t move markets.

 

What the BOJ “Rate Hike” Means for Markets

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What the BOJ “Rate Hike” Means for Markets (Possible a Positive)

Futures are moderately higher following better-than-expected earnings overnight.

Both Nike (NKE up 12% after hours) and FedEx (FDX up 4% after hours) posted better-than-expected earnings overnight and those results are helping to ease rising anxiety about 2023 earnings.

The only notable economic report was German Gfk Consumer Climate and it was in line (–37.8 vs. (E) -37.5).

Today the calendar stays quiet (it picks up tomorrow) but the focus will be on Consumer Confidence (E: 101.0) and Existing Home Sales (E: 4.2M) and the key for data will remain moderation (but not a collapse that implies looming stagflation).

Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s on December 19th, 2022

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Stocks Fall to Start the Week as Recession Worries Linger

“A lot of people are throwing in the towel on the year, for lack of a better word, and you’re seeing people sort of remove some of those hopeful year-end bullish bets,” Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Research, told Barron’s on Monday. Click here to read the full article.

Five Market Questions That Need to be Answered in 2023

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Five Market Questions That Need to be Answered in 2023 (And Which Answers are Positive or Negative)

Futures were volatile overnight but are now little changed following the Bank of Japan’s shock announcement of an effective interest rate increase.

The BOJ announced that it is widening the trading band on the 10 year Japanese Government Bond to 0.00% – 0.50% from the previous 0.0% – 0.25%.  This amounts to a 25 basis point rate hike.

Economic data was positive as German PPI fell more than expected (-3.9% m/m vs. (E) -2.2%) in what is another sign of global dis-inflation.

Today there is one economic number, Housing Starts (E: 1.4M), but that won’t move markets.

Instead, focus will be on the fallout from the BOJ surprise “ rate hike.”  Bottom line, markets dropped late last week and yesterday in part on higher global bond yields (following the hawkish ECB announcement) so this rate hike by the BOJ is another headwind and I’d not be surprised to see stock decline modestly on this news today, barring any positive surprises.

The Key Influence on Markets as We Approach 2023

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • The Key Influence on Markets as We Approach 2023
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Can Economic Data Help Stop the Selling?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Core PCE Friday the Key Report

Futures are slightly higher on a mild oversold bounce following last weeks’ losses and a quiet weekend of news.

China announced the closing of schools in Shanghai on Monday in response to surging COVID cases, but the broader economic reopening remains on track.

Economically, the German IFO Business Expectations Survey was higher than expected (83.2 vs. (E) 82.0) as was UK Industrial Trends (-6% vs. (E) -9%) but neither number is moving markets.

Today the only notable economic report is the Housing Market Index (E: 34) and markets will want to see continued moderation in the data (housing remains a major contributor to high CPI so more progress on that front will be a mild positive).

Why Stocks Are Falling (It’s Not Just the Fed)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Stocks Are Falling (It’s Not Just the Fed)

Futures are sharply lower on momentum from Thursday’s selling as investors further digest the hawkish ECB decision and yesterday’s lackluster economic data.

Despite weaker stock prices this morning, economic data overnight was mildly encouraging.  EU and UK December flash PMIs both slightly beat estimates while the EU HICP wasn’t any worse than feared at 10.1% y/y.

Today there are two important economic reports, the Flash Manufacturing PMI (E: 47.7) and Flash Services PMI (E: 46.5) and markets will need to see those data points show 1) Resilient activity and 2) Declining price pressures (more dis-inflation) if they are going to help stocks stabilize.  We also get one Fed speaker, Daly (12:00 p.m. ET), but she shouldn’t move markets.

Finally, today is a Quadruple Witching options expiration and it could cause some intense volatility as many traders had been positioned for a year-end rally, and as those hopes are being dashed, some book-squaring is likely in order.  Point being, don’t be surprised by an uptick in volatility this afternoon and into the close.

What the Fed Decision Means for Markets

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What the Fed Decision Means for Markets
  • Why Stocks Didn’t Fall More Yesterday Despite the Hawkish Fed (Important)
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are sharply lower as markets digest yesterday’s Fed decision and a deluge of global central bank rate hikes.

By the time stocks open today, seven separate global central banks (including the Fed, ECB, BOE and Swiss National Bank) will have hiked rates over the last 24 hours and while it was all expected, it’s still weighing on sentiment.

Today will be a very busy day of central bank decisions and economic data.  First, we get the BOE Rate Decision (E: 50 bps hike) and ECB Rate Decision (E: 50 bps hike) and the keys there will be the commentary (do either central bank hint that they’re close to the end of tightening).

On the economic front, the key reports today are (in order of importance): Philly Fed Manufacturing Index (E: -9.9), Empire State Manufacturing Index (E: -0.4), Jobless Claims (E: 230K), Retail Sales (E: -0.2%) and Industrial Production (E: 0.1%).  If the data can show moderation and easing price pressures (especially in Empire and Philly) that’ll be a positive for stocks.

Sevens Report Analysts Quoted in Market Watch on December 12th, 2022

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Oil ends higher as a major pipeline shutdown and improving Chinese demand outlook feed supply worries

Oil traded lower into the weekend, but the pace of declines “slowed as WTI approached technical support between $70 and $72,” said analysts at Sevens Report Research in Monday’s newsletter. Click here to read the full article.