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The Yield Curve May Un-Invert Soon. Why That’s Not Good (Historically)

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The Yield Curve May Un-Invert Soon. Why That’s Not Good (Historically): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • The Yield Curve May Un-Invert Soon. Why That’s Not Good (Historically)
  • How the Post CPI “Rest of the Market” Rally Is Accelerating

Futures are moderately lower thanks to significant weakness in tech stocks.

Semi-conductor chip stocks are lower this morning on a trifecta of negative news including soft ASML guidance, reports of tighter chip restrictions with China and bellicose rhetoric from Trump on Taiwan in a recent interview.

Focus will remain on economic data today and the most important report is Industrial Production (E: 0.3%) while we also get Housing Starts (1.305M).  As Tuesday showed, markets still want Goldilocks economic reports, meaning they aren’t too strong but don’t point to economic weakness, either.  We also have two Fed speakers, Barkin (9:00 a.m. ET) and Waller (9:35 a.m. ET), but unless one of them floats the possibility of a third rate cut in 2024, they shouldn’t move markets.

Finally, earnings season continues to roll on and some notable reports today include: ASML ($3.87), JNJ ($2.82), and UAL ($3.97).

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The performance gap between tech and the rest of the market

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The performance gap between tech and the rest of the market: Tom Essaye Quoted in Forbes

Why A Magnificent 7 Breather Could Be A Good Thing For The Stock Market

“The performance gap between tech and the rest of the market is so wide that it’s reasonable to expect continued closing of that gap as markets more fully embrace the idea of the start of a rate cutting cycle,” summarized Sevens Report founder Tom Essaye, noting in the “near term” non-tech sectors may mount a catchup rally. Essaye is referring to Thursday’s strong inflation data which bolstered calls for the Federal Reserve to soon lower interest rates, which broadly help most equities but tend to favor certain rate-sensitive sectors like real estate.

Also, click here to view the full Forbes article published on July 12th, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

Lastly, 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.

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The Fed needs a few more ‘good’ reports on inflation

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The Fed needs a few more ‘good’ reports on inflation: Tom Essaye Quoted in MarketWatch

Here’s what it would take for June CPI reading to send stocks lower

“Stepping back, the Fed needs a few more ‘good’ reports on inflation to cut rates in September. This can be one of those needed ‘good’ reports and keep the rally rolling (although it won’t be a new, positive catalyst as markets already assume ongoing disinflation),” said Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research, in a note.

On the other hand, if the CPI report delivers a higher-than-expected number, particularly for the core, “then a quick, sharp drop in stocks shouldn’t be surprising, because again it’s widely expected and priced into stocks that 1) Inflation is falling and 2) The Fed will cut in September,” he wrote.

A “bad” CPI report would see a core reading at 3.4% year over year with a headline figure of 3.2% to 3.3%, Essaye said, likely sparking a modestly negative reaction. An “ugly” report, with a core reading of more than 3.4% year over year and a headline figure higher than 3.3%, would likely spark a major selloff because it would challenge expectations for disinflation and a September cut, he said.

Also, click here to view the full MarketWatch article published on July 11th, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

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 Important Question in a Noisy Market

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The Important Question in a Noisy Market: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • The Important Question in a Noisy Market

Futures are slightly higher mostly on momentum as markets again ignore disappointing retailer earnings.

Hugo Boss became the latest retailer to post poor results and cut guidance as anecdotal warnings on consumer spending continue to grow.

The only notable economic number overnight was the German ZEW Sentiment Index and it met expectations.

Today focus will stay on economic data and earnings. The key economic report today (and of the week) is Retail Sales (E: -0.3%) and if that number is weaker than expected, look for concerns about a slowdown to grow (although that likely won’t hit stocks immediately as bad data is still good for stocks).  We also get the Housing Market Index (E: 43) and one Fed speaker, Kugler (2:45 p.m. ET), but they shouldn’t move markets.

On the earnings front the season continues to heat up and reports we’ll be watching today include:  BAC ($0.79), UNH ($6.65) and MS ($1.65).

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Market Impact of the Assassination Attempt on Former President Trump

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Market Impact of the Assassination Attempt on Former President Trump: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Impact of the Assassination Attempt on Former President Trump
  • Acknowledging There’s a Downside to Current Market Events, Too
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Do Growth and Earnings Hold Up?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  An Important Check on the Consumer This Week

Futures are moderately higher as markets further price in an expected Trump win and Republican sweep following the assignation attempt on the former President.

Former President Trump survived an assignation attempt over the weekend and while expectations of a Trump win in November are boosting futures this morning, the event is unlikely to sustainably impact markets.

Today focus will be on economic data and Fed speak as Powell speaks at noon while we also get the first look at July economic data via the Empire Manufacturing PMI (-5.50).  If Powell is dovish and the data is solid, expect this early rally to continue.

Turning to earnings, this will be a busy week of results but it starts relatively slowly and the only two notable reports today are GS ($8.52) and BLK ($9.96).

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July MMT Chart and Powell Testimony Takeaways

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July MMT Chart and Powell Testimony Takeaways: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Powell Testimony Takeaways – Underappreciated Growth Risks
  • July MMT Chart – All Scenario Targets Hit New Highs

Futures are higher again this morning amid firming Fed rate cut bets after Powell’s first day of semiannual testimony on Capitol Hill while inflation data was mixed overnight.

Economically, inflation data in Asia was mixed as Chinese CPI fell to 0.2% vs. (E) 0.4% y/y but Japanese PPI rose from an upwardly revised 2.6% in May to 2.9% in June.

There are no notable economic reports in the U.S. today which will leave markets primarily focused on Fed Chair Powell’s second day of Congressional testimony, this time before the House Financial Services Committee.

There are two additional Fed speakers this afternoon, Goolsbee and Bowman at 2:30 p.m. ET while Cook speaks later this evening, well after the close (7:30 p.m. ET).

Finally, there is a 10-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET. Yesterday’s 3-Yr Note auction saw solid demand, however there is some uncertainty about demand for longer duration Treasuries right now, and weak results at today’s auction could send those yields higher which has the potential to trigger some profit taking in equities.

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Market Multiple Table: An Important Change

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Market Multiple Table: An Important Change: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Table: An Important Change

Stock futures are trading higher this morning with tech stocks continuing to outperform as traders look ahead to Fed Chair Powell’s Congressional testimony today.

Economically, the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose 1 point to 91.5 vs. (E) 90.3 in June.

There are no additional economic reports today which will leave trader focus on Fed Chair Powell’s semi-annual testimony before Congress beginning at 10:00 a.m. ET. There are two additional Fed speakers as well today: Barr (9:15 a.m. ET) and Bowman (1:30 p.m. ET).

The only other potential catalyst on the calendar is a 3-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET. Weak demand and subsequently rising yields after the auction could weigh on stocks as money flows have been very dovish in recent weeks.

Sevens Report Quarterly Letter

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The Economy: Landing or Crashing?

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The Economy: Landing or Crashing? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • The Economy:  Landing or Crashing?
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Will A September Rate Cut Become a Guarantee This Week?
  • Weekly Economic Data:  Inflation Back in Focus (CPI This Week)

Futures are little changed despite positive geo-political news over the weekend.

In France, the “far-right” National Rally party underperformed expectations and will not be the majority party, reducing the chances of radical French policy changes.

In the Middle East, chatter surrounding a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas continues to get louder and a deal could be announced soon.  That news is weighing on oil this morning.

This week will be an important one with two days of Powell testimony, the CPI report and the start of the Q2 earnings season, but today will be relatively quiet as there are no economic reports today and no Fed speakers.

Sevens Report Quarterly Letter

Our Q2 ’24 Quarterly Letter was delivered to subscribers last Monday, complete with compliance backup and citations. We’re already receiving feedback about how it is saving advisors time and helping them communicate with their clients in this volatile environment!

You can view our Q1 ’24 Quarterly Letter here.

To learn more about the product (including price) please click this link.

If you’re interested in subscribing, please email info@sevensreport.com.

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Jobs Day

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Jobs Day: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Day
  • Why Wednesday’s Weak Economic Data Is Increasing Growth Concerns

Futures are little changed following the U.S. holiday as the last 24 didn’t provide any substantial market surprises while focus turns towards today’s jobs report.

The Labour Party won a landslide election victory in the UK, as expected, but that victory isn’t altering the outlook for growth or inflation (so it’s not impacting markets).

U.S. growth worries are creeping slightly higher following Wednesday’s surprisingly soft economic data.

Today focus will be on the jobs report and expectations are as follows: 189K Job-Adds, 4.0% Unemployment Rate, 0.3% m/m & 3.9% y/y Wage Growth.  Markets are still in a “bad is good” mode for data so the biggest risk to markets today is for a “Too Hot” number.  But, that said, Wednesday’s economic data was outright bad and for those paying attention, there are now a lot of signs that the U.S. economy may be losing more momentum than expected.  So, if there is a surprisingly weak jobs report (possible but unlikely) it will increase growth concerns and that’s a future risk to this rally.

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French Election Takeaways

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French Election Takeaways: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • French Election Takeaways
  • ISM Manufacturing PMI – The Latest Goldilocks Report
  • Chart: S&P 500 Adjusted for Inflation

U.S. equity futures are tracking European markets lower this morning as ECB President Lagarde pushed back on the idea of another summer rate cut amid resilient labor market data and another stubbornly high inflation reading.

Economically, Eurozone Unemployment held steady at 6.4% vs. (E) 6.5% while the June Core HICP Flash (CPI equivalent) was also unchanged at 2.9% vs. (E) 2.8%.

Looking ahead to today’s session, there are two economic reports to watch: JOLTS (E: 7.9 million) and Motor Vehicle Sales (E: 15.9 million). Investors will be looking for a “cool” but not too-soft JOLTS headline to help reinforce expectations for a September Fed rate cut.

Beyond the economic data, market focus will be on Fed speak this morning as Powell is scheduled to speak at 9:30 a.m. ET. A dovish tone from the Fed chair would be well received and likely influence risk-on money flows while any hawkish surprises have the potential to spark volatility and profit taking in equities.

Sevens Report Quarterly Letter Delivered Yesterday!

Our Q2 ’24 Quarterly Letter was released yesterday.

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