Now What? Updated Market Outlook

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Now What?  Updated Market Outlook
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Will Yields Keep Rising?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Key Growth Updates This Week

Futures are modestly higher on a bounce back from last week’s losses following a generally quiet weekend of news.

Economic data was sparse and the only notable report was EU M3 money supply, which rose less than expected (3.5% vs. (E) 3.9%).

Geopolitically, fears are easing that China will send arms to Russia (concerns about this weighed on stocks late last week and an easing of them is helping futures rally).

Today focus will remain on economic data and the two notable reports are Durable Goods (E: -4.0%) and Pending Home Sales (E: 1.0%).  While neither should be a major market mover, markets will want to see stable data (so reports that don’t imply growth is too strong, or too weak).  We also get one Fed speaker, Jefferson (10:30 a.m. ET).

Core PCE Price Index Preview (Good, Bad & Ugly).

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What the Core PCE Price Index Will Mean for Markets (Good, Bad & Ugly)
  • EIA and Oil Market Analysis

Futures are moderately lower mostly on positioning ahead of the Core PCE Price Index release but also in reaction to disappointing EU economic data.

German GDP underwhelmed and fell –0.4% vs. (E) -0.2% while Gfk Consumer Climate also slightly missed estimates (-30.5 vs. (E) -30.4).

Today, focus will be on inflation and the key report is the Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.4% m/m, 4.3% y/y).  We have a full Core PCE Price Index preview in the Report, but generally speaking, if the numbers are below expectations, it’ll spark a rally, if they are around expectations that’s mostly priced in, and if Core PCE is higher than last month, prepare for a selloff.

Other data today includes Personal Incomes and Outlays (E: 1.0%, 1.2%), , New Home Sales (E: 617K) and Consumer Sentiment (E: 66.4), but barring a move in five year inflation expectations above 3% none of those reports should move markets.

Finally, we also have two Fed speakers today, Mester (10:15 a.m. ET) and Collins (1:30 p.m. ET).

Tom Essaye Quoted in Forbes on February 21st, 2023

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‘Damage Is Done’: Stock Market Likely Set For Another Plunge As Economic Warning Signs Abound, JPMorgan Cautions

“Markets are admitting the Fed may not be close to done,” Sevens Report strategist Tom Essaye wrote in a Tuesday note, as stocks sank following worse-than-expected retail earnings. Click here to read the full article.

Are Junk Bonds Signaling Recession?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Are Junk Bonds Signaling Recession?
  • What Does Terminal Fed Funds Mean in Plain English?

Futures are modestly higher on solid tech earnings and after another global central bank ended rate hikes.

Nvidia (NVDA) earnings beat estimates and the stock us up 8% pre-market, and that’s helping general tech sentiment.

South Korea’s central bank ended its rate hike campaign and while that’s not a major central bank, it’s another reminder the global hiking cycle is ending.

Focus today will remain on economic data and Fed speak and that includes Jobless Claims (E: 200K) and Revised Q4 GDP (E: 2.9%). Fed speakers include Bostic (10:50 a.m. ET) and Daly (2:00 p.m. ET) and as has been the case for two weeks, any data or comments that increase rate hike expectations will pressure stocks (and vice-versa).

Tom Essaye Joins Yahoo Finance To Discuss The Economy on February 21st, 2023

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‘The economy is stronger than everybody thought,’ Sevens Report Research Founder says

Sevens Report Research Founder and President Tom Essaye to discuss the expectations for the Fed’s upcoming FOMC minutes meeting, the future of Fed policy pathway, why investors should remain on recession watch in 2023, and the outlook for markets. Click here to watch the full discussion.

Equity Risk Premium Hits 2007 Levels

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Equity Risk Premium at 2007 Levels
  • February Composite PMI Flash Takeaways
  • Why Are Rising Rates Causing Stocks to Drop Now?
  • S&P 500 Chart: Trend Support From the October Lows In Focus

U.S. equity futures are little changed this morning following yesterday’s steep losses as Treasuries have stabilized ahead of today’s Fed meeting minutes release.

Economically, German CPI met estimates at 8.7% y/y but that remains a historically very high reading which continues to warrant aggressive policy from the ECB in the months ahead.

Looking into today’s session, there are no notable economic reports which will leave investors primarily focused on the FOMC meeting minutes release (2:00 p.m. ET). Before that release, the Treasury will hold a 5-Yr Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET which could move bond markets, and if we see new highs in yields, expect additional pressure on stocks.

Finally, the Fed’s Williams speaks after the close at 5:30 p.m. ET and his comments could move markets in after-hours trading if he is materially hawkish.

Tom Essaye Quoted in Benzinga on February 17th, 2023

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3 Reasons The 2023 Stock Market Rally May Be ‘Another Bull Trap’

Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research, said Friday there are at least three warning signs that the rally could be yet another bull trap for investors. Market expectations for Fed rate hikes are now showing a 56% probability of a June rate hike, up from basically 0% just four weeks ago!” he said. Click here to read the full article.

Sevens Report Analysts Quoted in Market Watch on February 16th, 2023

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Energy Shares Fall as Oil Prices Edge Lower — Energy Roundup

The “primary risk to oil prices remains to the downside as recession warnings from the Treasury market point to a potential collapse in consumer demand in the coming months or quarters,” analysts at Sevens Report Research wrote. Click here to read the full article.

Sevens Report Analysts Quoted in MorningStar on February 16th, 2023

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Oil ends lower on signs of ‘sluggish’ U.S. consumer demand and a big build in supplies

The U.S. Energy Information Administration data so far this year has been “consistently bearish and pointed to sluggish consumer demand, hesitant refining activity, sizeable builds in oil stockpiles and incrementally rising domestic oil production,” analysts at Sevens Report Research wrote in Thursday’s newsletter. Click here to read the full article.

Is the Market Pendulum Swinging Back?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is the Market Pendulum Swinging Back?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet

Stock futures are lower while the dollar and Treasury yields move higher as part of a continuation of last week’s hawkish money flows, partially thanks to strong data overnight.

Economically, the EU Composite PMI jumped to 52.3 vs. (E) 50.7 due to strength in the service sector, bolstering expectations for increasingly aggressive monetary policy in the months ahead which is weighing on risk assets globally this morning.

Today, economic data will be in focus early with the key report in the U.S. being the PMI Composite Flash (E: 47.2) while Existing Home Sales (E: 4.10M) will also be released. A hot PMI print like we saw in Europe earlier this morning would likely add to the hawkish tone and weigh further on stocks today while a weaker, but not terrible report, could see yields and the dollar ease back and allow for a modest relief rally.

As far as other catalysts go, there are no Fed officials scheduled to speak but there is a 2-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET and if yields continue higher in the wake of the auction, expect more pressure on stocks, especially higher valuation/growth names.

Finally, earning season is winding down but a pre-market release by WMT ($1.52) should shed some light on the health of the consumer and could impact markets as well.