Key Technical Levels to Watch on Fed Day

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Key Technical Levels to Watch on Fed Day (Shareable PDF Available)
  • Jobs Report Preview

Stock futures are in the red this morning after mega-cap tech earnings failed to meet overly optimistic estimates (but were not that bad, all things considered), Chinese Manufacturing PMI missed estimates, and French CPI was higher than expected.

On the earnings front, AMD (-11%), GOOGL (-6%), and MSFT (-1%) are all lower in the pre-market despite generally healthy quarterly reports with most earnings and revenue figures topping analysts estimates while some corporate guidance was not as strong as hoped.

Today is lining up to be a very busy day full of catalysts. Starting with the economic data, we get the first look at January labor market data with the ADP Employment Report (E: 130K) while Q4 Employment Cost Index (E: 1.0%) will offer a look at wage pressures from late 2023.

The Treasury will release the official Refunding Announcement details before the open (8:30 a.m. ET) before focus will turn to the Fed with the FOMC Decision (2:00 p.m. ET) and Powell’s press conference (2:30 p.m. ET) in the afternoon.

There are no “Mag7” earnings today, but a few notables to watch include: MA ($3.08), QCOM ($2.37), and MET ($1.95).

Bottom line, equities are on edge in pre-market trade this morning with all of today’s catalysts looming, but, if the Treasury Refunding Announcement supports the bond market (keeps a lid on yields) and the Fed doesn’t not offer a hawkish surprise, we should be able to see markets stabilize. Conversely, any disappointments or hawkish reactions will support further volatility into the back half of the week.

Computer chips

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Fed Meeting Preview

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why the Treasury Refunding Estimate Moved Markets
  • FOMC Meeting Preview

U.S. futures are slightly lower as yesterday’s late session rally is digested ahead of the Fed and key earnings reports.

Economically, Australian Retail Sales data from December missed (-2.7% vs. E: -0.6%) but the EU GDP Flash was slightly better than feared at 0.1% vs. (E) 0.0% Y/Y in Q4.

Today there are multiple economic reports beginning with housing market statistics ahead of the open: Case-Shiller Home Price Index (E: 0.4%) and FHFA House Price Index (E: 0.3%). Some moderation in home prices would be welcomed ahead of the Fed today.

After the open, two more closely followed releases on the health of the consumer: Consumer Confidence (E: 112.5) and state of the labor market: JOLTS (E: 8.70 million) will be released. With the FOMC meeting beginning today and some mega-cap tech names reporting earnings after the close, it will take a big surprise in the data to materially move markets this morning.

Regarding earnings, we have entered the peak of the reporting season with several notables reporting this morning: GM ($1.08), UPS ($2.44), and SYY ($0.88) while some of the biggest tech names, MSFT ($2.76) and GOOGL ($1.60) will report after the close. AMD ($0.77), and SBUX ($0.93) are two other notable releases to watch.

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Five Bullish Market Assumptions Updated

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Five Bullish Market Assumptions Updated (Are They Still True?)
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Important Updates on Fed Rate Cuts and Economic Growth
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Fed Meeting Wednesday, ISM and Jobs Report Friday

Futures are little changed following an increase in geo-political tensions over the weekend and ahead of the first really busy week of 2024.

Three U.S. soldiers were killed in an attack in Jordan by Iranian backed militants and that’s further escalating tensions in the region and oil rallied in response.

There were no economic reports overnight.

This is the first truly busy week of 2024 as we have a Fed decision on Wednesday and a jobs report on Friday and it’s the most important week of earnings season.  But, the week starts slowly as there are no economic reports today and minimal earnings.  So, focus will remain on geo-politics and 1) Any additional attacks on U.S. soldiers in the region or 2) Information about a U.S. retaliatory strike could push oil higher and weigh on stocks.

Earnings Today:  WHR ($ 3.64), SOFI (E: $0.00), CLF ($-0.07).

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What Earnings Are Saying

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Earnings Are Saying About Current Economic Growth

Futures are modestly lower following a night of underwhelming earnings results.

INTC (stock down 10% premarket) gave soft guidance while V and TMUS (stocks down –3% each) posted underwhelming results.

Economically, German GfK Consumer Climate missed expectations (-29.7 vs. (E) -24.5) but that’s not moving markets.

Today focus will be on the Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.2% M/M, 3.0% Y/Y) and this number needs to meet or be lower than expectations to help support the stock rally.  If Core PCE prints solidly above expectations look for higher yields and lower stock prices.  The other notable economic number today is Pending Home Sales (E: 1.3%) but that shouldn’t move markets.

On the earnings front, the key report today is AXP ($2.65) and specifically we’ll be watching for is their commentary on consumer spending (the more positive, the better for markets).  Other notable earnings include CL ($0.85) and NSC ($2.90).

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China Cut Reserve Requirements

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • China Cut Reserve Requirements.  Does that Improve Risk/Reward?

Futures are little changed following a mixed night of earnings and ahead of the ECB rate decision.

Earnings were mixed overnight with cautious TSLA guidance (TSLA down –7% pre-market). This is offsetting other solid tech results from IBM, NOW and others.

Today focus will remain on rates, data and earnings.  The key event today is the ECB meeting there is little to no chance of a rate hike or cut.  Instead, the key will be insight into when the ECB expects the first rate cut.  If it’s before the summer, that’s dovish/bullish.  If it’s after the summer that’s hawkish/bearish.

Turning to the data, there are several notable reports today. Including (in order of importance) Advanced Q4 GDP (E: 2.0%), Jobless Claims (E: 200K), Durable Goods (E: 1.0%) and New Home Sales (E: 650K). “Goldilocks” data that meets expectations is the best outcome for stocks.

Finally, earnings season rolls on and important reports today include: AAL ($0.06), LUV ($0.11), VLO ($2.95), SHW ($1.80), INTC ($0.48), V ($2.33), TMUS ($1.90), COF ($2.50).

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Hard vs. Soft Landing Scoreboard: Losing Momentum?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Hard vs. Soft Landing Scoreboard: Losing  Momentum?
  • Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index Falls Sharply: Chart

Stock futures ramped higher overnight amid more Chinese stimulus news, mixed economic data, and strong earnings from streaming giant NFLX which is up 10% premarket.

The PBOC cut bank reserve requirements by 0.40% o/n triggering a 3.5%+ rally in the Hang Seng as growth worries eased while PMI data in Europe was mildly disappointing

Looking into today’s session there is one economic release to watch shortly after the open: PMI Composite Flash (Service PMI: 51.2, Manufacturing PMI: 47.2) and markets will be looking for more “Goldilocks” economic trends in the data in order to hold this week’s gains.

There are no Fed speakers today but the Treasury will hold a 5-Yr Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET that could move markets, especially if the results are weak and yields move higher as that would become a renewed headwind on growth stocks which have led the latest leg of the rally to all-time highs.

Earnings season continues as well with: T ($0.55), PGR ($2.38), FCX ($0.23), and GD ($3.66) reporting ahead of the bell, while results from TSLA ($0.74), IBM ($3.76), STX (-$0.06), and CSX ($0.44) are due after the close.

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Why Are Chinese Stocks So Weak? (And Is There an Opportunity?)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Are Chinese Stocks So Weak? (And Is There an Opportunity?)
  • Chart: Leading Economic Indicators Remain Deeply Negative

U.S. futures are flat amid mixed trade overseas as European shares pulled back modestly after a weak ECB Lending Survey while Asian shares bounced solidly amid news China is planning a $278B “market rescue package” aimed at stabilizing the nation’s volatile capital market environment.

Looking into today’s session, there is one regional Fed survey release: Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index (E: -15). And while the Richmond release is less popular than other regional Fed reports, it will be more closely monitored today after both the Empire and Philly Fed surveys badly disappointed last week.

December M2 Money Supply will also be released at 1:00 p.m. ET which could move markets in early afternoon trade (especially if there is a sharp and unexpected contraction in money supply).

There are no Fed officials scheduled to speak today but there is a 2-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET that could offer fresh insight into market expectation for Fed policy outlook. A weak auction sending yields higher, would be a negative catalyst for stocks today.

Finally earnings season is continuing to pick up with: VZ ($1.07), MMM ($2.31), GE ($0.90), PG ($1.70), JNJ ($2.27), and SYF ($0.96) reporting before the open, and NFLX ($2.20) and TXN ($1.46) releasing results after the close.

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Time to Chase This Market?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Time to Chase This Market?
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Do Rate Cut Expectations for March Keep Falling? (It Depends on the Data)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Important inflation report on Friday and important growth report on Wednesday.

Futures are modestly higher on momentum from Friday’s record highs, following a mostly quiet weekend of news and despite more economic stress in China.

Chinese markets continued to collapse (Hang Seng, Shanghai and Shenzen all down 2%-3%) after there was no cut to the 1/5 year Prime Loan Rates, despite clear signs of deflation and contracting economic growth.

Today there is one notable economic report,  Leading Indicators (E: -0.3%), but barring a major surprise it shouldn’t move markets.

Instead, focus will shift to earnings as the next two weeks will be the most important ones of this earnings season.  Some important reports today include:  PG ($1.70), JNJ ($2.27), VZ ($1.07), MMM ($2.31), UAL ($1.61), LOGI ($1.13), GE ($0.90).

Bullish

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The Reason Stocks & Bonds Are Declining (You’ve Seen It Before)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • The Reason Stocks & Bonds Are Declining (You’ve Seen It Before)

Futures are bouncing modestly following solid earnings and positive corporate news overnight.

Earnings overnight were decent as TSMC beat expectations while Bank of American upgraded AAPL.

Economically, however, the Aussie jobs report was soft (- 66k vs. (E) 15k) and that’s increasing global growth worries.

Today focus will stay on economic data as we get two important report, Jobless Claims (E: 206K) and Philly Fed Manufacturing Index (E: -6.7).  The Philly index will be especially watched following the implosion of the Empire Manufacturing survey on Tuesday and if we see a similar number this morning, look for some hard landing concerns to drift higher.

Away from those two reports we also get Housing Starts (1.425 million) and there is one Fed speaker, Bostic (7:30 a.m. and 12:05 p.m. ET), but they are unlikely to move markets.

On earnings, results really ramp up next week but some reports we’re watching today include: TSM ($1.37), PPG ($1.50), JBHT ($1.74).

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Sentiment Update

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Sentiment Update
  • Empire State Manufacturing Index Falls to Pandemic Lows

U.S. futures are tracking global shares lower as the ECB’s Lagarde became the latest to push back on overly dovish policy expectations. While Chinese economic data showed consumer weakness (but industrial strength) and inflation reaccelerated in Europe. This is adding to the recent trend of less-dovish/more-hawkish money flows.

Toay is lining up to be a busy session as there are a slew of economic reports due this morning. Including: Retail Sales (E: 0.4%), Import & Export Prices (E: -0.6%, -0.6%), Industrial Production (E: -0.1%), and the Housing Market Index (E: 38).

There are also several Fed officials scheduled to speak over the course of the session: Barr, Bowman, and Williams.

Earnings will also continue to come in today with several more notable financial companies reporting: SCHW ($0.65), CFG ($0.60), and DFS ($2.50).

Bottom line, trading has taken a more cautious tone this week with heavier price action in stocks. In order for that to ease and risk appetites return to the market today, we will need to see data that is consistent with a still healthy and resilient consumer but not to the point where the Fed would be inclined to delay rate cuts or cut less in 2024. Investors will look for less-hawkish Fed commentary and stable earnings as well. If those developments do not occur the risk of an acceleration lower in stocks this week will rise meaningfully.

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