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Highlighting the Value of International Diversification

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Highlighting the Value of International Diversification

Futures are extending Thursday’s rally mostly on momentum, following a quiet night of news.

Economically, the only notable report was Italian CPI which, like other recent EU inflation metrics, was better than expected (2.0% vs. 2.1% y/y) and is helping EU shares extend the recent rally as well.

Today there are several economic reports including Housing Starts (1.362M), Import & Export Prices (E: -0.3% m/m, -0.3% m/m) and Consumer Sentiment (E: 53.0, 1-Yr Inflation Expectations: 6.6%).  But, the focus will really be on inflation as the cool CPI and PPI this week have been the most important positives for this market.  If the University of Michigan 5-Year Inflation Expectations don’t rise from last month (4.4% y/y), that will be an additional positive for stocks as it will further push back on inflation fears.

Finally, there are two Fed speakers today, Barkin (6:40 p.m. ET) and Daly (8:40 p.m. ET), but they shouldn’t move markets.

May MMT Chart

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • May MMT Chart
  • CPI Takeaways

Futures are flat after a mostly quiet night of news that included benign inflation data overseas while traders digest the fastest recovery from YTD losses since the 1980s.

Economically, April inflation data was mixed overnight as Japanese PPI fell to 4.0% vs. (E) 3.8% y/y while German CPI met estimates at 2.1% y/y last month.

There are no notable economic reports today but two Fed officials are scheduled to speak: Jefferson (9:10 a.m. ET) and Daly (5:40 p.m. ET). Neither are likely to move markets, however Fed policy expectations have shifted more hawkish in recent weeks so any dovish leaning comments could support a continued move higher in equities today.

On that same vein, there is a 4-Month Treasury Bill auction at 11:30 a.m. ET. Those Bills will mature around the time of the September Fed meeting, so strong demand would be dovish for markets while weak demand could spark hawkish money flows and result in some profit taking in risk assets.

Finally, there are a few more late season earnings releases due out today including SONY ($0.12) and CSCO ($0.75) but given optimism for new AI-chip deals overseas, neither report should be able to derail this week’s rally.

The reality of the trade war won’t be as bad as feared back in early April

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The reality of the trade war won’t be as bad as feared back in early April: Sevens Report Analysts Quoted in Investing.com

Where is the ’Trump Put’ now? Analyst weighs in

According to Sevens Report analysts, that rebound is largely thanks to easing fears around trade war escalation and renewed optimism from the Trump administration.

“The reality of the trade war won’t be as bad as feared back in early April,” Sevens wrote, citing a larger-than-expected U.S.-China tariff reduction and “lots of Trump ‘happy talk’ on trade” involving potential deals with the U.K., South Korea, Japan, and India.

But Sevens cautioned investors not to mistake this relief rally for a sustainable bull run. “While I’m enjoying this morning’s rally I remain skeptical this news can push the S&P 500 sustainably towards (or above) 6,000,” the note said.

The more important takeaway, according to the firm, is that the so-called “Trump Put” — the idea that Trump will pivot policy to support markets if stocks fall far enough — appears to have moved higher.

“Markets freaked out in early April because, in part, investors feared the Trump Put wouldn’t occur until the S&P 500 was well in the 4,000s,” Sevens explained. “But the past few weeks implied the Trump Put kicks in somewhere in the mid-to-low 5,000s.”

Also, click here to view the full article featured on Investing.com published on May 12th, 2025. 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.

Where is the Trump Put Now?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Where is the Trump Put Now?
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Stagflation Update (Real Risk or Not?)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  CPI Tuesday, Key Growth Data on Thursday

Futures are surging (up more than 2%) on larger than expected tariff reduction between the U.S. and China.

The U.S. reduced tariffs on Chinese imports to 30% while China cut tariffs on U.S. imports to just 10%, significantly de-escalating the global trade war.

The tariff reduction will be in effect for 90 days while negotiations occur on a longer-term trade solution.

There are no notable economic reports today and just one Fed speaker, Kugler at 10:25 a.m. ET and she shouldn’t move markets.  So, markets will be driven by trade commentary and the tone around the U.S./China de-escalation.  Given upward momentum, more trade happy talk will help extend the rally.

 

Still higher than some forecasts for 50% to 60%

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Still higher than some forecasts for 50% to 60%: Tom Essaye, editor of Sevens Report Quoted in USA Today

US stocks end near flat as investors turn cautious, take profits ahead of China deal talks

An 80% tariff is down from a levy as high as 145% currently but still higher than some forecasts for 50% to 60%, according to Tom Essaye, founder and president of Sevens Research Report.

Also, click here to view the full article featured on USA Today published on May 9th, 2025. 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.

Crypto would be “well-positioned” for a test of its all-time high

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Crypto would be “well-positioned” for a test of its all-time high: Tyler Richey, editor of Sevens Report Technicals Quoted in MarketWatch

Bitcoin rallies with stocks to top $100,000 again as exuberance returns to markets

The key resistance bands facing bitcoin lie in the $106,500 and $101,500  areas, according to Tyler Richey, technical analyst and co-editor at the Sevens Report. If bitcoin ends Thursday near its current level above $101,000, the crypto would be “well-positioned” for a test of its all-time high at $109,225, Richey told MarketWatch in emailed comments. 

However, if bitcoin falls below its near-term support level at $93,780, it may face a pullpack toward $80,000, Richey said. 

Still, the technical setup for bitcoin is less encouraging from a weekly timeframe with the relative strength index, a momentum indicator, standing above 50.

While the index is still positive, it is much lower than its recent peak in December, when the momentum reading hit a high at a bit below 80 and later powered bitcoin’s January rally, Richey noted.

Also, click here to view the full article featured on MarketWatch published on May 8th, 2025. 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.

Jobs Day

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Day
  • Will “Sell in May and Go Away” Work This Year?
  • Interesting Signal from the VIX

Futures are modestly higher as positive trade comments from China offset disappointing earnings overnight.

China’s Commerce Ministry issued a statement saying it was potentially open to trade talks with the U.S., stoking speculation that trade negotiations will begin soon.

Earnings overnight were soft as AAPL (down 3% pre-market) and AMZN (-1.3% pre-market) both disappointed.

Today focus will be on the jobs report and expectations are as follows:  130K Job-Adds, 4.2% Unemployment Rate, 3.9% y/y Wage Growth.  Put simply, the stronger this number, the better, as it’s almost impossible that it’ll come in too hot while a strong number (ideally with tame wages) will push back on stagflation fears.

On earnings, the peak of the season is now behind us (on balance it’s been better than feared) but there are a few notable reports to watch today: XOM ($1.74), CI ($6.39), CVX ($2.15).

The primary negative influences on copper

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The primary negative influences on copper: Sevens Report Analysts Quoted in MarketWatch

Here’s what this real-time barometer says about tariff-induced recession risks rising

“Recession worries and lack of concrete progress in trade relations between the U.S. and China remain the primary negative influences on copper,” analysts at Sevens Report Research wrote in Wednesday’s newsletter.

They said the “primary trend in copper is not one of higher or lower prices, but of volatility, which highlights trade-war uncertainty and an elevated sense of angst among global investors.”

Also, click here to view the full article featured on MarketWatch published on April 30th, 2025. 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.

Why This Is (Likely) A Rangebound Market

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why This Is (Likely) A Rangebound Market
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Earnings in Focus (Will Corporate America Confirm Investors’ fears?)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Is Uncertainty Pressuring Economic Growth Yet?

Futures are sharply lower (down around 1%) following the holiday weekend as rising tension between Fed Chair Powell and President Trump pressured sentiment.

On Friday, National Economic Director Hasset said the White House was studying if Powell can be fired, adding another potential source of uncertainty to the markets.

Today volumes will be low given many global markets (including the UK, EU, Hong Kong and Australia) are closed.  But, there is one economic report, Leading Indicators (E: -0.3%) and one Fed speaker Goolsbee (8:30 a.m. ET).  Any data that implies stable growth and a dovish Fed should help support stocks.

Sentiment Update (A Shocking Discovery)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Sentiment Update (A Somewhat Shocking Discovery)
  • Empire State Manufacturing Survey Takeaways

U.S. stock futures are in the red this morning with tech leading to the downside after the U.S. announced new export restrictions on AI chip exports to China.

Economically, Chinese GDP missed (1.2% vs. E: 1.5% q/q) but Retail Sales beat (5.9% vs. E: 4.2%) while EU HICP (CPI equivalent) was inline with estimates at 2.2% y/y.

Looking ahead to today’s session, there are several important economic reports due to be released in the U.S. including: Retail Sales (E: 1.4%), Industrial Production (E: -0.2%), and the Housing Market Index (E: 38).

Additionally, there are two Fed officials scheduled to speak: Hammack (12:00 p.m. ET) and Schmid (7:00 p.m. ET) and the Treasury will hold a 20-Yr Bond auction at 1:00 p.m. ET.

Finally, earnings season continues with quarterly results due from ASML ($6.12), USB ($0.99), PGR ($4.72), CFG ($0.75), AA ($1.73), and CSX ($0.37) today.