banks

Curve Steepening: Buy Banks?

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • 10’s-2’s Showing Signs of Life – Good for the Banks?

S&P futures are indicating stocks will open at all-time highs today thanks to strong earnings and Fed optimism after President Trump mentioned rate cuts and QE yesterday.

AAPL beat on earnings and revenue in Q1 but also notably revised guidance solidly higher citing improvement in Chinese markets. The company’s shares are trading up roughly 6% in the pre-market.

Most overseas markets are closed for holidays today and the market’s main focus will be the Fed events this afternoon: FOMC Meeting Announcement (2:00 p.m. ET), Fed Chair Press Conference (2:30 p.m. ET).

There are a however a few important economic reports that could move markets this morning: ADP Employment Report (E: 180K), ISM Manufacturing Index (E: 55.0), and Construction Spending (E: 0.2%).

Bottom line, the market is looking for more dovish rhetoric out of the Fed today and if Powell delivers, another set of closing highs in U.S. stock indexes is likely.