How Real Are Stagflation Risks?

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • How Real Are Stagflation Risks?
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Are Tariffs Delayed Again?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Will the “Big Three” Monthly Economic Report Confirm Slowdown Fears?

Futures are modestly higher following solid Chinese economic data and as investors await more details of the looming tariffs on Mexico and Canada.

Economically, the Chinese manufacturing PMI rose to 50.2 vs. (E) 49.9, implying that stimulus is starting to flow through that economy.

On tariffs, the 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada start tomorrow, although markets still expect they will be delayed.

Today focus will be first on trade/tariff headlines and any delay in the 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada will be an obvious positive and reinforce the market’s belief that tariffs are just a negotiating tool.

Economically, the first of the “Big Three” monthly economic reports comes today via the ISM Manufacturing PMI (E: 50.6) and the stronger that number, the better.