Posts

Did the Last 48 Hours Make the Fed More Hawkish?

Did the Last 48 Hours Make the Fed More Hawkish? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Did the Last 48 Hours Make the Fed More Hawkish?

Futures are modestly higher following a quiet night as markets bounce following Thursday’s high-rate driven declines.

Economically, UK Retail Sales declined –2.3% vs. (E ) -0.1%, although that’s not making a June cut more likely.

Geo-politically, there are reports Putin will seek a cease-fire in Ukraine, although that’s unconfirmed (it would be a surprise positive if true).

Given the looming long weekend we can expect quiet trading today but there are two notable economic reports:   Durable Goods Orders (E: -0.5%) and University of Michigan Inflation Expectations (1-Yr Inflation Expectations: 3.5%, 5-Year Inflation Expectations 3.1%). As yesterday demonstrated, strong data is “bad” for stocks in the near term so markets will want to see in-line readings or slightly soft numbers on both reports to help fuel a rebound from yesterday.

There is also one Fed speaker and it’s an important one, Waller at 9:35 a.m. ET, but it’s unlikely he’ll say anything surprising (he just spoke earlier this week).


Join thousands of advisors from huge brokerage firms like Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo Advisors, Raymond James, and more! To start your quarterly subscription and see how The Sevens Report can help you grow your business, click here.

Advisor Considerations of the “T+1” Settlement Change

Advisor Considerations of the “T+1” Settlement Change: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Practice Management Update: Examining the Upcoming Move to T+1 Settlement
  • Long-Term S&P 500 Chart: Greatest Volatility Risk Since January 2022

Futures are flat this morning as economic data was mixed in Europe and global traders await NVDA earnings (tomorrow) to gauge the outlook for AI industry growth.

In Europe, German PPI fell -3.3% vs. (E) -3.1% underscoring that disinflation trends remain underway in the EU while the UK’s CBI Industrial Trends Order Balance dropped -33% vs. (E) -20% adding to global factory sector worries.

Looking into today’s session, there are no economic reports to watch but a handful of Fed speakers on the calendar this morning: Barkin (9:00 a.m. ET), Waller (9:00 a.m. ET), Williams (9:05 a.m. ET), Bostic (9:10 a.m. ET) and Barr (11:45 a.m. ET).

At this point, the higher-for-longer mantra has been absorbed by markets and it would take renewed talk of rate hikes to meaningfully move markets, especially as traders settle in and await tomorrow’s post-bell earnings release from NVDA which is widely viewed as the most important catalyst of this week.


Join thousands of advisors from huge brokerage firms like Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo Advisors, Raymond James, and more! To start your quarterly subscription and see how The Sevens Report can help you grow your business, click here.

How Long Can Goldilocks Last?

How Long Can Goldilocks Last? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • How Long Can Goldilocks Last?
  • Weekly Market Preview:  More Updates on Growth and AI Enthusiasm (NVDA Earnings on Wednesday)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Will the First Big Report of May Confirm Slowing Growth?

Futures are little changed following a generally quiet weekend of news and ahead of another important week of potential market catalysts.

Geopolitics was in focus this weekend as Iranian President Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash, although it appears an accident and oil isn’t rallying on the news.

There was no notable economic data overnight.

Today there are no economic reports but there are multiple Fed speakers including: Bostic (7:30 & 8:45 a.m. ET), Barr & Waller (9:00 a.m. ET), Jefferson (10:30 a.m. ET), Mester (2:00 p.m. ET) and Bostic again (7:00 p.m. ET).  However, for all the commentary, unless multiple Fed officials start openly discussing rate hikes (which is extremely unlikely) their commentary shouldn’t meaningfully move markets.


Join thousands of advisors from huge brokerage firms like Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo Advisors, Raymond James, and more! To start your quarterly subscription and see how The Sevens Report can help you grow your business, click here.

Short vs. Long Term Market Outlook (Is Falling Inflation & Slowing Growth Good for Stocks?)

Short vs. Long Term Market Outlook: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Short vs. Long Term Market Outlook (Is Falling Inflation & Slowing Growth Good for Stocks?)
  • EIA Update and Oil Market Analysis

Futures are little changed as market digest Wednesday’s new high amidst more dovish global data.

Japanese GDP (-0.5% vs. (E) -0.4%), Aussie Unemployment (4.1% vs. (E) 3.9%) and Italian HICP (their CPI, 0.9% vs. (E) 1.0% y/y) all pointed towards falling inflation and slowing global growth, which investors welcome (for now).

Today is a busy day full of data and Fed speak.  Broadly speaking, if the data/Fed speak is dovish and Treasury yields drop, it’ll extend the rally.

Notable economic data today includes (in order of importance):  Jobless Claims (E: 219K), Philly Fed (E: 7.8), Industrial Production (E: 0.1%) and Housing Starts (E: 1.435MM).

On the Fed, there are numerous speakers including:  Barr (10:00 a.m. ET), Barkin (10:00 a.m. ET), Harker (10:30 a.m. ET), Mester (12:00 p.m. ET), Bostic (3:50 p.m. ET).  But, unless they all start talking about rate hikes (very unlikely), their commentary shouldn’t move markets.


Join thousands of advisors from huge brokerage firms like Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo Advisors, Raymond James, and more! To start your quarterly subscription and see how The Sevens Report can help you grow your business, click here.

The key parts of the release will be one and five-year inflation expectations

The key parts of the release will be one and five-year inflation expectations: Sevens Report Editor, Tom Essaye, Quoted in Barron’s


Dow Opens Higher, Extending Winning Streak

Aside from the Fed speakers, traders will get an update on consumer sentiment from the University of Michigan. Sevens Report Research’s Tom Essaye writes that the key parts of the release will be one-year inflation expectations and five-year inflation expectations.

“If both of those numbers are higher than expected, it’ll be another negative signal on inflation and don’t be surprised if Treasury yields rise in response to them and stocks give back these early gains,” Essaye writes.

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on May 10th, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

It’ll be Very Hard for This Market to RallyIf you want research that comes with no long term commitment, yet provides independent, value added, plain English analysis of complex macro topics, then begin your Sevens Report subscription today by clicking here.

To strengthen your market knowledge take a free trial of The Sevens Report.


Join hundreds of advisors from huge brokerage firms like Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo Advisors, Raymond James, and more! To start your quarterly subscription and see how The Sevens Report can help you grow your business, click here.

Is Gasoline Demand Another Economic Warning Sign?

Is Gasoline Demand Another Economic Warning Sign? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is Gasoline Demand Another Economic Warning Sign?
  • Did Earnings Season Change the Market Outlook?

Futures are solidly higher thanks to continued momentum from Thursday’s rally following a quiet night of news.

Economically, UK data was stronger than expected (GDP and Industrial Production beat estimates) but it’s not changing BOE June rate cut assumptions.

Today there is just one notable economic report, the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index (E: 77.0) and the key parts of that release will be the 1-Yr Inflation Expectations (E: 3.2%) and the 5-Yr. Inflation Expectations (E: 3.0%).  If both of those numbers are higher than expected, it’ll be another negative signal on inflation and don’t be surprised if Treasury yields rise in response to them and stocks give back these early gains.

In addition to that one economic report, we also get numerous Fed speakers today including: Bowman (9:00 a.m. ET), Logan (10:00 a.m. ET), Kashkari (10:00 a.m. ET), Goolsbee (12:45 p.m. ET) and Barr (1:30 p.m. ET).  However, unless one of them explicitly advocates for rate hikes, they shouldn’t move markets.


Join thousands of advisors from huge brokerage firms like Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo Advisors, Raymond James, and more! To start your quarterly subscription and see how The Sevens Report can help you grow your business, click here.

An S&P 500 Priced for Perfection: May MMT Chart

An S&P 500 Priced for Perfection: May MMT Chart: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • May MMT Chart: An S&P 500 Priced for Perfection
  • Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index Raises Questions About Growth

Futures are flat as disappointing earnings in Asia (Toyota and Nintendo) were largely offset by solid guidance from AB InBev and Siemens Energy in Europe while macroeconomic news wires were relatively quiet.

Economically, exports from Taiwan plunged to 4.3% y/y in April from 18.9% in March due to weak Chinese demand but exports to the U.S. hit a record amid strong AI demand. The soft Chinese demand is a concern, but AI optimism is for now offsetting those worries.

There are no notable economic reports today leaving focus on the Fed speaker circuit with Jefferson (11:00 a.m. ET), Collins (11:45 a.m. ET) and Cook (1:30 p.m. ET) all scheduled to speak.

Additionally, there is a 10-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET. Yesterday’s 3-Yr Note auction saw decent demand but if today’s longer duration Note auction is soft, that will put upward pressure on yields and weigh on equity markets as this relief rally has begun to lose momentum.


Join thousands of advisors from huge brokerage firms like Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo Advisors, Raymond James, and more! To start your quarterly subscription and see how The Sevens Report can help you grow your business, click here.

Was the Fed Decision Positive? (No, Not Really)

Was the Fed Decision Positive? (No, Not Really): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Was the Fed Decision Positive? (No, Not Really)
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are solidly higher following a mostly quiet night of news as markets further digested Fed Chair Powell pushing back on the idea of future rate hikes.

Economic data showed more buoyant inflation globally as Swiss CPI rose 1.4% vs. (E) 1.2% while the Euro Zone Manufacturing PMI met estimates.

Today the focus will remain on economic data as we get two notable economic reports, Jobless Claims (E: 211K) and Unit Labor Costs (E: 3.3%). If both are “hot” (and especially if Unit Labor Costs are high) then expect higher yields and more pressure on stocks ahead of tomorrow’s Jobs Report.

Earnings season is winding down but there’s an important report via AAPL (E: $1.51) after the close, while I’ll also be watching SQ ($0.72), COIN (E: $1.20) and BKNG ($14.03) for any insight into the state of the U.S. consumer.


Join thousands of advisors from huge brokerage firms like Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo Advisors, Raymond James, and more! To start your quarterly subscription and see how The Sevens Report can help you grow your business, click here.

This will be a potentially busy week of catalysts

This will be a potentially busy week of catalysts: Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s


Stocks Open Lower as Bond Yields Rise

“This will be a potentially busy week of catalysts but it starts slowly today as there are no economic reports and just one Fed speaker,” writes Sevens Report Research’s Tom Essaye. “So, absent any surprises, expect yields to drive stocks. If the 10-year Treasury yield drifts lower, don’t be surprised if stocks recoup these early losses.”

“We think Powell will hold his ground and not try to give anything away,” writes Andrew Brenner, head of international fixed income at NatAlliance Securities. “He won’t be that hawkish or show signs of dovishness, although we see Powell as a dove in wolf’s clothing.”

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on March 4th, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

It’ll be Very Hard for This Market to Rally

If you want research that comes with no long term commitment, yet provides independent, value added, plain English analysis of complex macro topics, then begin your Sevens Report subscription today by clicking here.

To strengthen your market knowledge take a free trial of The Sevens Report.


Join hundreds of advisors from huge brokerage firms like Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo Advisors, Raymond James, and more! To start your quarterly subscription and see how The Sevens Report can help you grow your business, click here.

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

The Reason Stocks & Bonds Are Declining: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


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).


Join hundreds of advisors from huge brokerage firms like Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo Advisors, Raymond James, and more! To start your quarterly subscription and see how The Sevens Report can help you grow your business, click here.