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The True Indicator of Banking Stress

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • The True Indicator of Banking Stress
  • Case Shiller Home Price Index and Consumer Confidence: Charts

Stock futures are trading solidly higher with overseas markets following some positive bank headlines out of Europe and strong price action in Asian tech shares.

BABA announced a corporate restructuring plan that sent shares higher by 14% overnight, boosting sentiment across Asian equity markets and buoying U.S. equity futures with tech leading the way higher.

In Europe, it was reported that UBS has brought back former CEO Sergio Ermotti to oversee the CS takeover which is further easing some of the angst surrounding the recent turmoil in the banking sector.

Looking into today’s session, there is one more housing data release to watch: Pending Home Sales (E: 1.0%) before Fed Vice Chair Barr continues with his Congressional testimony regarding recent bank failures at 10:00 a.m. ET. There is also a 7-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET.

Bottom line, equity markets appear to be stabilizing but the tape does remain thin and tentative with the “pain trade” to the upside. One materially negative headline out of the banking sector or regarding Fed policy, however, could reignite the volatility of recent weeks.

Economic Breaker Panel

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • December Economic Breaker Panel

Futures are slightly lower following a disappointing earnings report by Micron (MU).

Micron (MU down –3% after hours) reported underwhelming results and guidance and announced layoffs, and that’s reversing some of the earnings-driven gains we saw in stocks on Wednesday.

Economic data remained sparse but UK GDP slightly missed estimates, falling –0.3% vs. (E) -0.2%.

Today’s focus will be on Weekly Jobless Claims (E: 225k) and this number needs to move higher (towards 300k) to show the Fed that the labor market is returning to better balance (something the Fed said is needed before they can think about a pivot).  We also get the Final Q3 GDP (E: 2.9%) but that data is very old now (July-September) and it shouldn’t move markets.

 

Fundamentals Remain Bearish

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Bottom Line: Fundamentals Remain Bearish
  • Economic Data Takeaways: Durable Goods and Consumer Confidence
  • Chart: Nasdaq Holds June Lows So Far

Global equities continued to bleed lower overnight as yields and the dollar rose to new highs however those moves are reversing on the breaking news out of the BOE.

The Bank of England announced a bond-buying program aimed at stabilizing volatile market conditions and while it is not a long-term fix, markets have responded positively so far and the efforts may be enough to trigger a near-term relief rally today as the market remains oversold.

Today, there are two lesser followed economic reports due to be released: International Trade in Goods (E: -$88.7B) and Pending Home Sales (E: -0.8%) but neither should materially move markets.

The Fed speaker circuit remains busy with: Bostic (8:35 a.m. ET), Bullard (10:10 a.m. ET), Powell (10:15 a.m. ET), Bowman (11:00 a.m. ET), and Evans (2:00 p.m. ET) all speaking today. If there is any sign of a less-hawkish pivot, especially by Powell, that could bolster the early attempt at a relief rebound in stocks and other risk assets.

Finally, there is a 7-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET and if the results come in solid, which would be a contrast to yesterday’s 5-Yr auction, a pullback in yields could also be well received by equity markets and trigger a bounce.

Why Stocks Dropped Again

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Stocks Dropped Again
  • Consumer Confidence Takeaways
  • Gold Update: A Soft Landing Is the Worst-Case Scenario

Stock futures are modestly lower thanks to some hawkish Fed chatter and another hot inflation print in Europe.

Economically, Spanish CPI jumped to 10.2% vs. (E) 9.2% in June, up from 8.5% in May suggesting inflation has not yet peaked, at least in parts of Europe.

Domestically, the Fed’s Mester reiterated that a 75 bp hike is likely in July given elevated consumer inflation expectations.

Today, there is one economic report to watch early: Final Q1 GDP (E: -1.4%) and investors would like to see the headline at least hold unchanged from the previous revision (if not get revised higher) before focus turns to several global central bankers speaking at an ECB Forum including Fed Chair Powell at 9:00 a.m. ET.

If the discussion takes on a more hawkish tone or there is any sign the market is losing confidence in the Fed (which would be evident in the bond markets) then yesterday’s selling pressure could continue.

Hedging Uncertainty with Russia/Ukraine

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Hedging Uncertainty with Russia/Ukraine
  • PMI Composite Flash Takeaways (Strong Report)
  • Consumer Confidence Index: Chart

Stock futures are enjoying a bounce this morning, tracking global equity markets higher as investors view the initial rounds of sanctions on Russia as less severe than feared while inflation data out of Europe was mildly encouraging.

Economically, the Eurozone’s Narrow Core HICP reading was -0.9%, down from +0.4% in December suggesting price pressures may finally be peaking in parts of the world.

Looking into today’s session, there are no notable economic reports to watch and just one Fed speaker ahead of the bell: Daly (9:00 a.m. ET).

There is a 5-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET that could move markets but investor focus is likely to remain on any developments with the Russia/Ukraine situation.

After the close yesterday, it was reported that the scheduled meeting this week between Blinken and Lavrov was called off, which was a negative development but if we see a new meeting agreed to, or any signs of further de-escalation in the conflict today, stocks could enjoy a potentially sizeable relief rally. Conversely, further aggressive actions in Ukraine by Russia and/or more severe sanctions being announced by the West would likely drive more risk-off money flows.

What’s Expected from Washington This Week?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What’s Expected/Priced In This Week from Washington?
  • Durable Goods Orders – Takeaways
  • Energy Update: Fundamentals, Technicals, and Momentum All Favor the Bulls

U.S. equity futures are decidedly lower this morning as Treasury yields continue this week’s surge higher. The 10-year note yield topped 1.52% in overnight trading which is weighing heavily on high valuation tech names today.

From a catalyst standpoint, today is lining up to be a busy day with a slew of economic data due to be released: International Trade in Goods (E: -$87.0B), Case-Shiller Home Price Index (E: 1.6%), FHFA Home Price Index (E: 1.5%), and Consumer Confidence (E: 114.8).

Of those releases, the market will be most interested in whether or not Consumer Confidence can stabilize following the disappointing August print.

There is a 7-Year Treasury Note action at 1:00 p.m. ET and given how much bonds are influencing stocks so far this week, the results could impact equity markets (strong demand would help stabilize stocks, weak demand would likely see losses extended).

Finally, there are multiple Fed speakers today including: Evans (9:00 a.m. ET), Powell (10:00 a.m. ET), Bullard (1:40 & 7:00 p.m. ET), and Bostic (3:00 p.m. ET). Focus will clearly be on Powell and any insight he may provide regarding inflation expectations and the Fed’s plans to react.

Bottom line, the stock market is being driven by the bond market this week and if we see bonds continue to drop (yields spike higher) then that will result in further underperformance by growth stocks and drag the broader market lower while stabilization in yields would likely allow for a rebound.

 

Sevens Report Q3 Quarterly Letter Coming October 1st.

The Q3 2021 Quarterly Letter will be delivered to advisor subscribers on Friday, October 1st.

With Fed tapering, Washington budget battles and possible tax hikes looming, Q4 could be the most volatile of the year. Our quarterly letter will help you set the right expectations for clients so they aren’t blindsided by any market volatility.

You can view our Q2 ’21 Quarterly Letter here.

Economic Breaker Panel: August Update

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Sevens Report Economic Breaker Panel – August Update
  • Consumer Confidence Data Points to Stagflation – Chart

Futures are trading near record highs this morning after mostly disappointing economic data helped reinforce dovish expectations for global central bank policy overnight.

Economically, a private Manufacturing PMI in China showed factory activity fell into contraction last month while European PMI data underwhelmed versus estimates and German Retail sales fell 5.1% vs. (E) -0.9% in July.

Looking into the U.S. session, focus will be one economic data early with the ADP Employment Report (E: 500K) due out ahead of the bell and then the ISM Manufacturing Index (E: 59.0) and Construction Spending (E: 0.3%) reports due shortly after the open.

There are no Fed speakers or Treasury auctions today so the biggest driver of markets will likely be the reaction to the economic data and what it means for Fed policy expectations. The biggest risk to the rally into the end of the week is data that is “too hot” and causes a hawkish shift to a currently very accommodative Fed policy outlook.

Two Major Market Risks

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Could Go (Really) Wrong? Two Candidates
  • Consumer Confidence Takeaways

U.S. equity futures are trading lower with most international markets while bond yields are falling amid growing concerns about the Delta variant of COVID-19.

The Stoxx 600 Travel and Leisure sector is down more than 5% WTD, underscoring market fears of new lockdowns or travel restrictions in Europe due to the Delta variant outbreak.

There was a slew of economic data from China to Europe released overnight however all of it largely met estimates and therefore is not materially moving markets this morning.

Today, focus will be on any new developments regarding the latest uptick in COVID-19 cases, fueled by the Delta variant, as well as the first look at the June jobs data via the ADP Employment Report (E: 533K) due out ahead of the bell.

There is also a report on Pending Home Sales (E: -1.0%) and two Fed speakers: Bostic (8:00 a.m. ET) and Barkin (1:00 p.m. ET), but unless there are any major surprises none of those should materially move markets.

Tom Essaye Quoted in Unseen Opportunity on May 25, 2021

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Consumer Confidence Sinks, Calling Bull Market Into Question

The market is basically in a holding pattern until the next big event, which is the Fed’s tapering schedule (or not tapering schedule), until we have more clarity on Fed tapering and the longer-term…wrote Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report, in a note. Click here to read the full article.

Why Tech Is Outperforming Again

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Tech Is Outperforming Again
  • A Correction to the “Is FAANGM Now GARP?” Section
  • Consumer Confidence – Chart

Stock futures are trading modestly higher this morning while international markets are mixed as inflation and taper fears continue to ease ahead of key economic data due later in the week.

The only economic report overnight was the French Business Climate Indicator which came in at 107 vs. (E) 105 but the release did not materially move markets.

Today, there are no economic reports due to be released and just one Fed official is scheduled to speak: Quarles (10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. ET).

There is a 5-Yr Treasury Note Auction at 1:00 p.m. ET and as has been the case for most of this year, any significant surprises in the results could move both stock and bond markets significantly, but that is less likely today given focus is on Friday’s inflation data.