Omicron Update: The Two Key Questions We Need Answered

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Omicron Update:  The Two Key Questions We Need Answered
  • Weekly Market Preview:  How Big A Risk is the New Variant?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  A Very Busy Economic Week:  Jobs Report Friday, Final PMIs.

Futures are solidly higher as markets bounce following Friday’s COVID related steep declines.

The new COVID variant, named Omicron, was identified in numerous countries over the weekend, and governments enacted more travel bans to try and stop the spread.  But, beyond those measures, the market didn’t learn anything “new” about the variant over the weekend.

Regarding today’s bounce in futures, Friday’s steep declines were due in part to light liquidity and attendance, so we’re seeing that portion of the declines reversed this morning now that people are back to work.

Today we get the Pending Home Sales Index (E: 0.7%) and we have one Fed speaker (Williams at 3:00 p.m. ET) but the focus will be on COVID headlines.  It’s safe to assume the variant is already in the U.S. but a headline confirming that might create a short-term headwind.  Beyond the short term, however, the major unknown is whether the variant can evade the current vaccines, and that will determine whether this COVID pullback in stocks is brief, or something more extended.

What the New COVID Variant Means for the Rally (So Far)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What the New COVID Variant Means for the Rally (So Far)

Futures are sharply lower on concerns about a new COVID variant discovered in South Africa.

A new COVID variant discovered in South Africa has multiple new mutations and the WHO has called its discovery “concerning.”

Several countries have stopped flights from countries in Africa, and the discovery of the variant is only compounding worries about more COVID lockdowns.

There are no economic reports today and the NYSE closes at 1:00 p.m. ET.

Regarding the new COVID variant, clearly this is something to watch closely but COVID variants only become real risks to the rally if they can breakthrough a vaccine or render therapeutics ineffective, and there has been no research out so far that implies that’s the case with his new South African COVID variant.  In the near term, though, it’ll exacerbate COVID lockdowns/restrictions concerns, which is the real reason stocks are lower and the lack of liquidity on the Friday after Thanksgiving is only making the market reaction more intense.

What the SPR Release Means for Oil

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Global Flash Composite PMI Data Takeaways
  • What the SPR Release Means for Oil

Stock futures are trading lower and international markets were mixed overnight as investors look ahead to a very busy day of economic data while volumes are already thinning out given the Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow.

Today, there is a slew of economic data due out including: Durable Goods Orders (E: 0.3%), Q3 GDP (E: 2.1%), Jobless Claims (E: 264K), New Home Sales (E: 790K), Core PCE (E: 0.4%, 4.1%), and Consumer Sentiment (E: 66.9).

There are no Fed officials speaking today however the November FOMC meeting minutes will be released at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Bottom line, investors will be looking for good economic data today, but not so good that it will cause the Fed to accelerate tapering plans or pull forward the first rate hikes. That is especially true for the Core PCE print as it is the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation.

What Powell’s Renomination Means for Markets

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Powell’s Renomination Means for Markets
  • Gold Update: Cooling Inflation Outlook Favors the Bears

U.S. stock futures are trading lower with most overseas equity markets as elevated bond yields continue to weigh on big-cap tech names.

Economically, Composite PMI data in Europe was better than expected with the Eurozone figure hitting 55.8 vs. (E) 53.1 for November however the upbeat data is further supporting bond yields which are weighing on equities.

Looking into today’s session, there is one domestic economic report to watch: PMI Composite Flash (E: 57.8) and if it is as strong as the releases in Europe, that could support a further rise in yields which will keep pressure on equity markets.

There are no Fed officials scheduled to speak today but the Treasury will hold a 7-Yr Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET that could serve as another catalyst for higher yields. And again, that is a potential negative for stocks as big-cap tech names will almost certainly extend yesterday’s late-day declines if yields continue this week’s rise.

Why Last Week Was More Positive for Stocks Than It Seems

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Last Week Was More Positive for Markets Than It Seems
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Will COVID Concerns Recede?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Key Inflation Report on Wednesday

Futures are moderately higher on Powell optimism and as there were no incremental COVID restrictions in Europe.

President Biden was reportedly highly complimentary of Powell in meetings this weekend, leading markets to fully expect he will be reappointed as Fed Chair this week.

There were no new COVID restrictions announced in Europe over the weekend, providing some hope lockdowns won’t be extensive.

There were no notable economic reports overnight.

Today there are no Fed speakers and just one economic report, Existing Home Sales (E: 6.20 M), and that won’t move markets.  So, any news on Powell’s reappointment as Fed Chair and incremental COVID headlines will move markets today (if Powell is reappointed and COVID headlines don’t get worse, stocks can extend the rally).

Another Hot Economic Report

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Another Hot Economic Report (Philly Fed)

Futures are modestly lower on negative global COVID headlines.

Austria because the first European country to reimpose a national lockdown due to rising COVID cases and markets fear more countries could follow (especially Germany).

Inflation and economic data again implied a “hot” recovery as German PPI rose 3.8% vs. (E) 1.6% while UK retail sales rose 0.8% vs. (E) 0.5%.

There are no economic reports today although there are two Fed speakers, Waller (10:45 a.m. ET) and Clarida (12:15 p.m. ET).  Clarida’s comments will we watched but he is likely to repeat Powell’s dovish mantra (gradual tapering and no rate hikes until late 2022).  Beyond the Fed, COVID headlines are again driving short term trading, so if we see more restrictions from Europe that will be an increased headwind for stocks.

Two Potential Sources of Volatility Into Year-End

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Two Potential Sources of Volatility Into Year-End
  • Oil Update and EIA Analysis

Futures are bouncing from yesterday’s declines thanks to solid earnings and following an otherwise quiet night of news.

Widely held chipmaker Nvidia (NVDA) posted strong earnings after the close and that’s helping to ease some anxiety around chip supplies.

There were no notable economic reports overnight.

Today there are two notable economic reports, Jobless Claims (E: 261K) and the Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index (E: 21.4), and given every major economic report this week has been very strong, markets would like to see a solid number but nothing so strong that adds to the narrative that tapering may need to be accelerated.

Regarding the Fed, we have multiple speakers today including: Bostic (7:30 a.m. ET), Williams (9:30 a.m. ET), Evans (2:00 p.m. ET), and Daly (3:30 p.m. ET) although none of them should move markets.

Finally, as we explain in the issue, COVID and the Debt Ceiling are starting to become headwinds on stocks, and the headlines that imply further rising global case counts or lack of progress on the Debt Ceiling could be mild headwinds on stocks.

Dow Theory Update

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What the Early-November Squeeze in the Dow Transports Means for the Broader Equity Markets

Stock futures are little changed this morning as a hot U.K. inflation report is digested ahead of more retail earnings.

U.K. CPI rose 4.2% vs. (E) 3.9% year-over-year which is pushing the pound higher against most of its peers as rate hike expectations rise.

Today, there is just one economic report: Housing Starts & Permits (E: 1.587M, 1.630M) but it is another very busy day of Fed speak: Williams (9:10 a.m. ET), Mester (11:20 a.m., 12:40 p.m. ET), Waller (12:40 p.m. ET), Daly (12:40 p.m. ET), Evans (4:05 p.m. ET), and Bostic (4:10 p.m. ET).

There is also a 20-Year Treasury Bond auction at 1:00 p.m. ET that could move yields and investors will be closely watching earnings releases from notable retailers ahead of the open: TGT ($2.87) and TJX ($0.81) as well as NVDA ($1.10) after the close.

Tom Essaye Interviewed by Yahoo Finance on November 15, 2021

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Market Recap: Monday, November 15: Stocks drop as tech leads losses, 10-year yield tops 1.6%

I think what it is, is essentially that the bond market is looking past this transitory spike in inflation…said Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research. Click here to watch the full interview.

Inflation Expectations Update

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Inflation Expectations Update
  • Empire State Manufacturing Index Takeaways

Stock futures are slightly lower this morning following a mostly quiet night of news as investors look ahead to several important economic releases in the U.S. today.

Economic data was in-line to slightly better than expected overnight while the Xi-Biden talks, while largely uneventful, did help to modestly improve general market sentiment.

Today, focus will be on economic data early with Retail Sales (E: 1.0%), Import & Export Prices (E: 0.9%, 0.7%), and Industrial Production (E: 0.9%) all due out ahead of the opening bell while the Housing Market Index (E: 80) will be released at the top of the 10:00 a.m. hour (ET).

Additionally, there are several Fed speakers today: Bostic (12:00 p.m. ET), Harker (2:55 p.m. ET), and Daly (3:30 p.m. ET) and the market will continue to look for patient remarks that suggest the pace of the taper will not be accelerated and rate hikes will not be pulled forward from late 2022.