Why Economic Data is Stronger Than it Appears

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Economic Data Is Stronger Than It Appears

Futures are drifting slightly higher following a mostly quiet night of news.

COVID headlines were mixed as Los Angeles reimposed an indoor mask mandate (negative) while President Biden said the U.S. could ease travel restrictions from Europe soon (positive).  Bottom line, concerns about the Delta variant are a market influence (mild headwind) but at this point, it’s not enough to cause a material pullback.

Economic data was minimal as EU HICP met expectations (0.3% m/m and 1.9% y/y).

Today, focus will be on economic data, specifically Retail Sales (E: -0.4%) and the inflation expectations component in Consumer Sentiment (E: 87.0).  As has been the case, markets will want “Goldilocks” results for both retail sales and inflation expectations (so strong, but not too strong).  There is also one Fed speaker, Williams (9:00 a.m. ET), but he shouldn’t move markets.

Why Powell Wasn’t Dovish (Tapering is Coming)

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Powell Wasn’t Dovish (Tapering is Coming)
  • Infrastructure Update (Tax Hike Risks)
  • Oil Update, EIA Analysis, and OPEC Outlook (Where is Oil Going?)

Futures are modestly lower following mixed Chinese economic data.

Chinese Fixed Asset Investment, Retail Sales, and Industrial Production all beat estimates, although they were offset by a miss in Q1 GDP (7.9% vs. (E) 8.2%).  But, while GDP got most of the headlines, the bottom line is the rest of the data is more current, and on balance, the outlook for the Chinese economy has improved (which is good for global stocks).

Today there are numerous economic reports to watch including, in order of importance:   Philly Fed Manufacturing Index (E: 28.5), Empire State Manufacturing Index (E: 18.3), Jobless Claims (E: 368K), and Industrial Production (E: 0.7%).  As has been the case “Goldilocks” data with muted pricing indices will help stocks rally (markets won’t want to see data that’s too strong or too weak).

Turning to the Fed, Chair Powell speaks to the Senate at 9:30 a.m. ET but we should expect the same message as Wednesday and his comments shouldn’t move markets.

Finally, earnings season continues to gain momentum and some reports we’ll be watching today include: TSC ($0.89), MS ($1.63), UNH ($4.41), USB ($1.14), BK ($1.01).

CPI Takeaways

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • CPI Takeaways

Stock futures are little changed as Treasuries recover some of yesterday’s losses ahead of more U.S. inflation data and Congressional testimony from Fed Chair Powell today.

Economically, U.K. CPI was above estimates in June but PPI was unexpectedly soft while Eurozone Industrial Production also disappointed, but none of the data from overnight seems to be having a material impact on markets this morning.

Today, there is one more inflation report in the U.S., PPI (E: 0.6% m/m, 6.8% y/y) at 8:30 a.m. ET and then focus will turn to Fed speak with Chair Powell’s semiannual testimony before Congress beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET and Kashkari also speaking at 1:30 p.m. ET.

The start of Q2 earnings season will also remain in focus with notable reports coming from: WFC ($0.97), BAC ($0.78), C ($1.99), DAL (-$1.37), BLK ($9.24), and PNC ($4.22).

Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s on July 12, 2021

/in , /by

Virgin Galactic Soars, Rocket Cos. Drops, and Stocks Are Mostly Lower

Futures are slightly lower following a very quiet weekend of news as markets wait for…writes Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research. Click here to read the full article.

What Is Happening With the Bond Market?

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Is Happening With the Bond Market?

Stock futures are little changed amid a stable bond market this morning following good economic data while focus shifts to the unofficial start of earnings season and the latest consumer inflation report in the U.S.

Economically, the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index came in at 102.5 vs. (E) 99.2 for the month of June.

Today, earnings will come into focus as the big banks kick off the Q2 reporting season. Notable companies releasing results today include: JPM ($3.05), GS ($9.57), PEP ($1.52), and FAST ($0.41).

The latest U.S. inflation data will also be released ahead of the opening bell: CPI (0.5% m/m, 5.0% y/y) while there are several Fed officials scheduled to speak in the afternoon: Bostic (12:00 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. ET), Kashkari (12:45 p.m. ET), Rosengren (2:50 p.m. ET).

Bottom line, the number of influences on equities clearly picks up today and for stocks to hold the latest record highs we will need to see 1) earnings at least meet estimates, 2) CPI data not run “hot,” and 3) Fed chatter remain accommodative and importantly not take a hawkish turn.

 

It’s Not Too Late to Send Clients a Quarterly Letter!

Our Q2’21 Quarterly Letter was delivered to subscribers two weeks ago along with compliance backup and citations, and we’re continuing to hear from advisors how happy they are with the quality of the letter and how much time and work it has saved them. 

You can view our Q1’21 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.

An Important Few Weeks for Bonds

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why The Next Few Weeks Are Critical for the Bond Market
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Earnings Season Starts
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Inflation This Week

Futures are slightly lower following a very quiet weekend of news as markets wait for the start of earnings this week along with updated inflation data.

G-20 finance ministers agreed to move forward with a plan for a global minimum tax, but this remains a very, very long way from actual implementation.

China’s reserve requirement ratio cut remained top of the news but it’s unlikely to provide major stimulus and as such it’s not a material bullish catalyst for global stocks.

Today there are no economic reports and just two Fed speakers: Williams (9:30 a.m. ET) and Kashkari (12:00 p.m. ET).  As was the case last week, we expect yields to dictate trading in stocks, so if Treasury yields continue to bounce, stocks should extend Friday’s rally.

Inflation Expectations Dashboard

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Inflation Expectations Dashboard
  • EIA Data Takeaways and Oil Update

U.S equity futures are rebounding with European shares this morning while bond yields are rising from multi-month lows as investors digest a volatile week amid economic uncertainty and renewed COVID-19 concerns.

Economically, Chinese inflation data was “cooler” than expected with June CPI falling from 1.3% to 1.1% vs. (E) 1.4%, helping solidify the idea that inflation has peaked.

Looking ahead to today’s session, the calendar is quiet as there are no notable economic reports and no Fed officials are scheduled to speak.

That will likely leave investors to focus on any developments regarding the Delta variant of COVID-19 and any subsequent lockdown measures as well as price action in the bond market. As long as coronavirus headlines are not materially negative and bond yields extend this morning’s bounce, stocks should be able to claw back more of yesterday’s losses.

Market Multiple Levels: S&P 500 Chart

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Levels: S&P 500 Chart
  • May JOLTS Report Takeaways

Stock futures are sharply lower along with most international equity markets this morning while bond yields are extending recent declines amid new COVID-19 concerns.

Japanese Prime Minister, Yoshihide Suga, issued a state of emergency for Tokyo overnight and the latest reports suggest spectators will be banned from the summer Olympics which is weighing heavily on investor sentiment today.

10-Year yields are down another 7 basis points in early trade while travel and leisure shares are leading markets lower in the pre-market, underscoring concerns about the state of the economic recovery and emerging concerns surrounding the Delta variant of COVID-19.

Today, there is just one economic report: Jobless Claims (E: 353K) and no Fed officials are scheduled to speak.

Investors will be looking for a continued drop in the weekly jobless claims data but focus will likely be on COVID-19 trends and the latest lockdown developments as the health of the economic recovery is reassessed.

Market Multiple Table: July Update

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Table: July Update
  • OPEC+ Update

U.S. stock futures are trading modestly higher with tech shares outperforming (Nasdaq futures are at a fresh record) as bond yields continue to fall to multi-month lows ahead of the Fed Minutes release this afternoon.

Economically, German Industrial Production fell -0.3% vs. (E) +0.5% in May, adding to a recent string of disappointing global economic data that has been pressuring bond yields.

Today, there is just one economic report to watch: May JOLTS (E 9.30M), and while it’s a dated release, some components of the report could shed some new light on the current trends of the labor market.

Looking to the Fed, the release of the June FOMC Meeting Minutes (2:00 p.m. ET) will be the main focus today as investors look for further clarity on the Committee’s taper timeline and eventual plans for raising rates. Additionally, Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic speaks at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Tom Essaye Interviewed by Yahoo Finance on July 1, 2021

/in , /by

Why a ‘too hot’ jobs number could spell trouble for markets.

As I said in my morning report, for the first time in years, I’m actually worried about a too…said Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research. Click here to read the full interview.