Disinflation On, Disinflation Off

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Disinflation On, Disinflation Off (Scenario Table with Asset Performance Guide)
  • Chart – 2 Yr. Note Futures Approach Multiyear Lows
  • Chart – “Another Bull Trap” Update

U.S. stock futures are tracking global shares higher this morning as investors cheer better than expected economic data out of China.

Economically, China’s Manufacturing PMI jumped to 51.6 vs. (E) 49.9 in February, up from 49.2 in January, indicating the recovery process is gaining momentum. The Eurozone Manufacturing PMI, meanwhile, met estimates at 48.5.

Today, investor focus will be on economic data early beginning in Europe with the German CPI release at 8:00 a.m. ET (E: 8.7%). So far this week, European yields have led global yields higher on hot inflation data and if the German print is above estimates, expect that trend to continue and stocks to remain under pressure.

In the U.S. we will get the February ISM Manufacturing Index (E: 48.0) as well as the lesser followed Construction Spending report (E: 0.2%). Investors will want to see improving, but not overly strong growth metrics and fading price pressures to see some of the recent hawkish money flows ease.

Finally, there is one Fed speaker today: Kashkari (E: 9:00 a.m. ET), and as a voting member of the FOMC, his comments will be closely watched for any new hints at the Fed’s policy plans.