Progress on U.S./China Trade?
What’s in Today’s Report:
- Updated Market Outlook
- Weekly Market Preview (This Week is More Important Than It Might Seem)
- Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet (All About Growth)
Futures are solidly higher again as the Commerce Department extended Huawei waivers for 90 days, which is a mild positive in the U.S./China trade situation.
There were a lot of trade-related headlines out over the weekend (and some of them were conflicting) but the net/net is that tensions appear to be receding somewhat, which is helping to support an extension of Friday’s rally.
The only notable economic report was Japanese exports, which met expectations at –1.6% m/m and isn’t moving markets.
There are no economic reports today and no Fed speakers, so focus will be on any trade-related headlines and while we’re sure to get conflicting messages via twitter and other mediums, the bottom line is that tensions appear to be receding – which is positive for stocks.
Looking forward to this week, it’s an important one. Powell’s Jackson Hole speech on Friday, combined with FOMC Minutes Wednesday and the global flash PMIs will give us important updated insight into 1) Whether central banks are going to try and correct the hawkish disappointments from July, and 2) If global growth is trying to stabilize. If the answer is “yes” to both, then stocks can extend the rally.
