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Election Day Scenario Analysis (Good, Bad, Ugly)

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Election Day Scenario Analysis (Good, Bad, Ugly): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Good/Bad/Ugly Election Scenario Analysis
  • Chart – S&P 500 Violates Critical Uptrend off August Lows

Stock futures turned higher with Asian shares overnight thanks to better-than-expected Chinese economic data as trader focus shifts ahead to Election Day in the U.S.

Economically, China’s October Composite PMI rose to 51.9 vs. (E) 50.4, up from 50.3 in September which supported solid gains in Asian shares overnight with Chinese benchmarks rising more than 2%.

Today, the general elections in the U.S. will clearly dominate the headlines however there is one key economic report to watch shortly after the open: ISM Services PMI (E: 53.5).

There are no Fed officials scheduled to speak ahead of this week’s FOMC meeting however there is a 10-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET that could roil markets if it is much stronger than anticipated (flight to safety) or much weaker than expected (fiscal concerns/higher yields).

Lastly, there are a few earnings to watch today as well with MPC ($0.97) reporting ahead of the open and key semiconductor company SMCI ($0.51) after the close along with tech-focused communications company, LUMN ($-0.20).

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Why Stocks Dropped (Two Main Reasons)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Stocks Dropped (Two Main Reasons)
  • Jobs Day (Abbreviated Jobs Report Preview)

Futures are modestly higher following “ok” earnings from major tech firms overnight and ahead of the jobs report.

AMZN and INTC posted solid earnings while AAPL results were only mildly disappointing and the cumulative reports are boosting futures this morning.

Economically, the UK manufacturing PMI dropped to 49.9 vs. (E) 50.3, keeping BOE rate cut expectations elevated.

Today focus will be on economic data, starting with the jobs report and expectations are as follows:  106K Job-Adds, 4.1% UE Rate, 4.0% y/y Wage Growth.  The jobs report isn’t the only important report today, however, as we also get the October ISM Manufacturing PMI (E: 47.6).

Bottom line, both numbers need to come in close to expectations to help stocks extend this morning’s early bounce.  Data this week has been a bit “hot” and it’s pushed Treasury yields higher and Fed rate cut expectations lower and that’s weighed on stocks.  In-line reports this morning would be Goldilocks and would reverse that trend (and further fuel this morning’s bounce).

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Jobs Report Preview (Will It Decide Rate Cuts?)

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Jobs Report Preview (Will It Decide Rate Cuts?): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Report Preview (Will It Decide Rate Cuts?)

Futures are moderately lower following disappointing earnings from MSFT and META overnight.

META and MSFT are both lower by around 3% following disappointing earnings results (META) and guidance (MSFT) and that’s weighing on futures.

Economically, EU inflation was a bit hotter than expected as EU HICP (their CPI) rose 2.7% y/y vs. (E) 2.6% y/y.

Today will be a busy day of economic data and earnings.  On the economy, the two key reports are Jobless Claims (E: 235K) and the Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.3% m/m, 2.6% y/y) and markets will want in-line readings on both to reinforce recent Goldilocks growth and inflation data.

On earnings, there are three major reports after the close:  AAPL ($1.49), AMZN ($1.14) and INTC ($-0.02).

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Why the Next Two Weeks Are So Important For This Market

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why the Next Two Weeks Are So Important For This Market
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Magnificent Seven Earnings and Important Economic Data
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Jobs and ISM Manufacturing PMI on Friday

Futures are sharply higher following two market-positive geo-political.

In the Mid-East, the Israeli’s response to the Iranian missile attacks was smaller than expected and is viewed as a de-escalation, as oil is down 6% on falling geo-political risks.

In Japan, the ruling LDP party lost its majority in Parliament and looming political gridlock should further delay any BOJ rate hikes (Japanese stocks rose nearly 2% on the news).

Today there are no notable economic reports but as long as oil keeps dropping, the early rally should continue. Finally, earnings season continues and some reports we’ll be watching today include: ON (0.97), F (0.49), WM ($1.86).

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Why Are High Yield Bonds Breaking Down?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Are High Yield Bonds Breaking Down?
  • More Goldilocks Economic Data

Futures are modestly higher mostly on momentum from Thursday’s rally and following a night of generally solid earnings and economic data.

Economically, the German IFO Business Expectations survey was better than expected (87.3 vs. (E) 86.7) boosting EU economic sentiment.

Earnings were the solid as the majority of companies posted good results (including COF, DECK and others).

Today the key report is September Durable Goods (E: -1.0%) and markets will want to see more in-line data to continue to imply a soft landing and two additional rate cuts in 2024.  We also have one Fed speaker, Collins (11:00 a.m. ET), but she shouldn’t move markets.

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Why Are Utilities the Best-Performing Sector YTD?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Are Utilities the Best Performing Sector YTD?
  • Chart: 10-Yr Yields Test 3-Month Highs – A Renewed Headwind for Stocks

U.S. stock futures are extending yesterday’s losses in premarket trade this morning, led lower by small-caps as Treasury yields continue to test multi-month highs amid a higher-for-longer Fed policy outlook.

Economically, the only notable release overnight was Hong Kong’s CPI which picked up modestly in September, rising to 0.1% from 0.0% in August (2.2% y/y), but that is not moving markets today.

There are no notable economic reports today and just one Fed speaker on the calendar: Harker (10:00 a.m. ET).

The light economic calendar will leave trader focus on earnings with: VZ ($1.18), MMM ($1.93), GM ($2.50), GE ($1.13), LMT ($6.47), and FCX ($0.40) all reporting quarterly results before the bell while STX ($1.50) and TXN ($1.36), both of which are tech-proxies, will report after the closing bell.

Beyond earnings, Treasury yields will also be in focus today as the sharp, double-digit rise in the 10-Yr yield presented a significant headwind on broader equity markets yesterday. If yields continue higher, expect stocks to have a hard time stabilizing today.

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Is China the Next Japan?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is China the Next Japan?

Futures and EU shares are lower as cautious retailer earnings guidance and heavy trade in China overnight are offsetting easing geopolitical tensions following reports that Israel would not strike Iranian oil/energy infrastructure (oil futures are down nearly 5%).

Economically, EU Industrial Production met expectations overnight while a German Economic Sentiment gauge topped estimates, but neither report is materially moving markets this morning.

Today, there is one important economic report to watch: The Empire State Manufacturing Index (E: 0.0), and two Fed officials are scheduled to speak: Daly late morning (11:30 a.m. ET) and Kugler in the early afternoon (1:05 p.m. ET).

Additionally, there are two typically lesser-followed Treasury auctions for 3-Month and 6-Month T-Bills at 11:30 a.m. ET that could shed fresh light on market expectations for Fed policy rates between now and Q2’25 which have swung sharply hawkish over the last two weeks. Strong auction would have dovish implications for the market and be well received by equity investors today.

Finally, earnings season is getting into full swing with several more big banks reporting quarterly results today: BAC ($0.78), C ($1.34), and GS ($6.85) while two members of the Dow Jones Transportation Average: UAL ($3.10) and JBHT ($1.43) are also due to report today.

Bottom line, equity markets have rallied solidly over the last week amid a combination of earnings optimism and soft-landing hopes. If any of the economic data, Fed chatter, or earnings results damage either of those narratives, expect some mild profit taking in equities today, otherwise the path of least resistance is still higher for stocks right now.

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Sevens Report’s Tom Essaye also sees technical indicators flashing red

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Sevens Report’s Tom Essaye also sees technical indicators flashing red: Sevens Report Editor, Tom Essaye, Quoted in Barron’s

The Stock Market Is Rising, but So Are the Risks. What to Do Now.

Sevens Report’s Tom Essaye also sees technical indicators flashing red. The Relative Strength Index, or RSI, a momentum indicator used to identify overbought or oversold conditions, has been diverging from the S&P 500 for about six months, turning lower even as the index keeps pushing higher.

“That is a concern because it is a bearish divergence that we have repeatedly seen when lasting market tops are being established, including the early 2022 highs,” Essaye writes. “This same divergence occurred before the market peaks in 2000, 2007, and even the short-lived bear market of 2020. Bottom line, the divergence between the outright price action of the S&P 500 (hitting higher highs) and its weekly RSI indicator (establishing lower highs) is a concerning technical dynamic that warrants attention as it suggests the risks of a more pronounced pullback in the stock market is statistically elevated right now.”

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on October 9th, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

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Are Emerging Markets Finally A Buy?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Are Emerging Markets Finally A Buy?
  • FOMC Minutes:  Did They Reinforce Rate Cut Expectations?

Futures are slightly lower mostly on digestion of Wednesday’s rally and as markets look ahead to today’s important economic data (CPI and claims).

Economically, Germany updated the last several retail sales reports and the net change was slightly better than expected, although that’s not moving markets.

Today focus will be on economic data as we get two potentially market moving reports:  CPI (E: 0.1% m/m, 2.3% y/y) / Core CPI (E: 0.2% m/m, 3.2% y/y) and Jobless Claims (E: 226K).  Goldilocks data, meaning an in-line CPI/Core CPI report and stable jobless claims, will keep soft landing hopes strong and likely boost stocks later today.

We also have several Fed speakers today including Cook (9:15 a.m. ET), Barkin (10:30 a.m. ET) and Williams (11:00 a.m. ET) but none of them should move markets.

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October MMT Update: Positive News (But Priced In)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • October Market Multiple Table – Positive News But Priced In

U.S. futures are higher on dovish-leaning comments by the Fed’s Kugler overnight while global shares declined broadly in sympathy with a near-10% drop in Chinese shares after the latest government stimulus efforts disappointed.

Economically, German Industrial Production rose 2.9% vs. (E) 0.8% in August, helping easing EU growth worries while the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose to 91.5 but narrowly missed estimates of 91.7.

There are no notable economic reports today, however several Fed officials are scheduled to speak: Bostic (12:45 p.m. ET), Collins (4:00 p.m. ET), and Jefferson (7:30 p.m.). Based on the market’s positive reaction to Kugler’s comments in the pre-market, more dovish commentary has the potential to fuel a further relief rally today while a hawkish tone would likely weigh on stocks.

Finally, there is a 3-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET and given the hawkish money flows in the wake of last week’s ISM data and September jobs report, weak demand at the auction could send yields to new highs and further pressure equity markets.

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