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Debt Ceiling Deal Update

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Debt Ceiling Deal Update
  • AI May Be Great, But Fundamentals Matter Too
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet – Summer Rate Hike Back in Play

Stock futures are higher and Treasury yields are falling this morning amid renewed optimism for a debt ceiling deal.

President Biden and Speaker McCarthy agreed in principle to a two-year debt ceiling extension, which markets expect to be signed before the June 5th “X date.”

Eurozone Economic Sentiment dropped to 96.5 vs. (E) 99.4, underscoring worries about growth overseas but the debt ceiling deal optimism is overshadowing worries about the economy this morning.

Today, there are several economic reports to watch including the Case-Shiller Home Price Index (E: -0.1%), FHFA House Price Index (E: 0.3%), and Consumer Confidence (E: 100.0).

Additionally, there is one Fed speaker: Barkin (1:00 p.m. ET), however investors will remain primarily focused on the debt ceiling deal and as long as news flow surrounding the final negotiations remains positive, risk on money flows should continue today.

Why A Soft Landing Is Still Good for Stocks

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why A Soft Landing Is Still Good for Stocks
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

S&P 500 futures are solidly higher while Nasdaq futures surge 2% thanks to blow out NVDA earnings.

NVDA beat on revenue and EPS and raised guidance on strong AI chip demand, and the stock surged more than 20% after hours.

Fitch put the U.S. on “credit watch negative” as the potential “X” date for the debt ceiling is less than a week away.

Today focus will be on any debt ceiling progress (although none is expected with the looming holiday weekend) and on economic data, and the most important report is Jobless Claims (E: 248K) and markets will want to see that number flat or just slightly higher (another big jump would increase hard landing worries).

Other data today includes Revised Q1 GDP (E: 1.1%) and Pending Home Sales (E: 1.1%), but neither number should move markets.  On the Fed, we have two speakers today, Barkin (9:50 a.m. ET) and Collins (10:30 a.m. ET), but neither should move markets.

Why Is Consumer Spending Holding Up So Well?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Is Consumer Spending Holding Up So Well?
  • Unemployment Rate Chart Indicates Full Employment
  • May Flash PMI Takeaways
  • Chart: S&P 500 Trend Remains Higher But Signs of Weakness Are Emerging

Equity futures are lower with global markets this morning as there has been no further progress in debt ceiling negotiations while data overnight pointed to stagflation.

Economically, U.K. CPI was 8.7% vs. (E) 8.3% y/y while the German Ifo Survey was weak across the board with Business Expectations notably falling to 88.6 vs. (E) 91.7. And sticky high inflation and fading growth prospects are a very negative scenario for global risk assets.

There are no market moving economic reports on the calendar for today which will leave traders primarily focused on the ongoing debt ceiling negotiations.

There is one Fed speaker: Waller at 12:10 p.m. ET and the May FOMC meeting minutes will be released at 2:00 p.m. ET which could shed some light on the Fed’s expected “pause.” Any indication that hikes may continue this summer would trigger volatility as current market odds of a June hike are less than 1 in 3.

Finally, there is a 5-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET that could move yields and have an influence on equity market trading in the afternoon.

Why Have Stocks Hit Multi-Month Highs?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Have Stocks Hit Multi-Month Highs?
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Real Debt Ceiling Progress is Needed This Week
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Flash PMIs and Core PCE the Key Reports This Week

Futures are little changed despite a lack of progress on the debt ceiling and an increase in trade tensions between the U.S. and China over the weekend.

There was no progress on the debt ceiling over the weekend although Biden and McCarthy will meet again today to resume negotiations.

China banned the use of Micron (MU) chips in what is yet another escalation in U.S./China trade tensions.

Today focus will be on the debt ceiling and markets will want to hear positive and optimistic commentary from Biden and McCarthy, as the potential “X” date of June 1st is now less than 10 days away.

There are also multiple Fed speakers today, including Bullard (8:30 a.m. ET), Logan (9:00 a.m. ET), Barking & Bostic (10:50 a.m. ET) and Daly (11:05 a.m. ET), but given Powell on Friday reiterated the Fed has likely paused, their comments shouldn’t move markets.

Hard vs. Soft Landing Scoreboard Update

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Hard vs. Soft Landing Scoreboard Update

Futures are slightly higher mostly on momentum from Wednesday’s rally and despite more disappointing earnings, this time from Cisco (CSCO).

CSCO orders underwhelmed and that’s weighing on the stock (down 4% after hours) and limiting gains in futures.

There was no new news on the debt ceiling but optimism remains high and a deal is expected before the “X” date.

Focus today will be on economic data, because beyond any short-term debt ceiling drama (or resolution) the bigger issue for this market remains hard vs. soft landing.  Key reports today include (in order of importance):  Jobless Claims (E: 255K), Philly Fed (E: -20.0) and Existing Home Sales (E: 4.295M).  As has been the case, stability remains the key for stocks to extend the rally.

We also have two Fed speakers, Jefferson (9:05 a.m. ET) and Logan (10:00 a.m. ET), but they shouldn’t move markets.

What Happens If There’s No Debt Ceiling Deal?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Happens If There’s No Debt Ceiling Deal?
  • Why CPI Was Positive for Stocks and Bonds Yesterday
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are modestly higher mostly on momentum from Wednesday’s rally and following a quiet night of news.

China’s CPI rose 0.1% vs. (E) 0.3% and that’s combining with recently underwhelming Chinese economic data to raise doubts about the economic recovery.

There was no notable news on the debt ceiling, although another round of high level meetings will occur tomorrow.

Today focus will first be on the Bank of England Rate Decision (E: 25 bps hike) and then on economic data, specifically Jobless Claims (E: 245K) and PPI (E: 0.3% m/m, 2.5% y/y).  Stocks have benefitted from mostly “goldilocks” data over the past week, and if we get more of the same via in-line claims and PPI, stocks should be able to extend the rally.  Finally, there’s one Fed speaker, Waller (10:15 a.m. ET), but he shouldn’t move markets.

Market Multiple Chart: S&P 500

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Table Chart: S&P 500 (Separate PDF Available on Request)
  • CPI Preview – Will the Data Contradict Fed “Pause” Expectations

Futures are down modestly this morning, tracking global shares lower after soft earnings while focus turns to today’s CPI data.

ABNB shares are down 14% in premarket trade after the company offered disappointing revenue guidance after the close yesterday and that is weighing modestly on equities this morning.

Economically, German CPI was unchanged at 7.2% y/y in April, meeting analysts’ estimates, but importantly, the headline remains very elevated and much beyond policy makers’ 2.0% target which will support further tightening in the months ahead.

Looking into today’s session, U.S. inflation data will be in focus with CPI (E: 0.4% m/m, 5.0% y/y) due at 8:30 a.m. ET, but the more important figure to watch is Core CPI (E: 0.4% m/m, 5.5% y/y) as a print above 5.5% will raise concerns that price pressures are sticky and not declining which will warrant a continued, aggressive stance by the Fed.

There are no Fed officials scheduled to speak today but there is a 10-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET that could move markets, especially in the wake of the CPI data as investors look for insight as to how the “smart market” is digesting the latest look at inflation.

Finally, earnings season is winding down but there are a few notably companies reporting today: TM ($2.83) before the open, and DIS ($0.89) after the close.

The Fed Pivoted, So Now What?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Sevens Report Technicals First Issue Today (Delivered to subscribers later this morning)
  • The Fed Pivoted, So Now What?
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Will there be any debt ceiling progress, and does disinflation resume?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  CPI on Wednesday is the key report this week.

Futures are slightly higher following a mostly quiet weekend of news as markets look ahead to Wednesday’s CPI.

News was slightly positive on the debt ceiling over the weekend, as reports indicate the White House will try to negotiate a short term debt ceiling extension (to the end of September).  However, it remains uncertain if even this short-term deal can get done before the “X” date.

Economically, German Industrial Production missed estimates (-3.4% vs. (E) -1.5%) but that’s not moving markets.

Today there are no notable economic reports but there is a potentially important release at 2:00 p.m. via the Bank Senior Loan Office Survey.  Markets (and the Fed) are nervous the regional bank stress will curtail lending and put a bigger headwind on the economy.  If the loan officer survey reflects that reality (a drop in bank lending) it could cause volatility as that would increase the chances of a potential hard landing.

 

Sevens Report Technicals – First Issue Being Delivered To Trial Period Subscribers This Morning!

We have been thrilled with the response to our new research offering: Sevens Report Technicals and we are very excited to deliver the first official issue later this morning. Sevens Report Technicals will be similar in appearance to the special technical report we sent out two weeks ago, which you can view here.

This new report will offer a “deep dive” into the technical dynamics of all of the asset classes we cover in the daily Sevens Report including:

  • A “Top-Down” Technical View
  • Dow Theory Update
  • Key Levels to Watch Across Asset Classes
  • A Dynamic Equity Sector “Dashboard”
  • A Deep Dive Into Treasury Market Trends
  • Market Volatility Observations and Takeaways

During this launch phase we continue to offer an additional month free on any quarterly ($75 discount) or annual ($150 discount) subscription. With a one month “Grace Period” during which you can receive a full refund for any reason, you take no risk trying Sevens Report Technicals. We are confident that you will find the research a perfect complement to your business or investment process.

To start your risk-free trial subscription, please send an email to info@sevensreport.com. To learn more about Sevens Report Technicals, click this link.

Why Stocks Won’t Drop Part II: The Economy

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Won’t Stocks Drop Part II: The Economy
  • VIX Falls to 52-Week Lows – Chart

Hawkish money flows are dominating markets this morning with stock futures falling, yields rising and oil and gold both testing support after hot inflation data overnight.

Economically, U.K. CPI was 10.1% vs. (E) 9.8% y/y in March while the Eurozone Narrow Core HICP reading rose 0.1% to 5.7% meeting estimates. The two inflation prints are causing a hawkish shift in central bank policy expectations this morning, which is in turn rekindling hard landing fears.

Looking into today’s session, there are no notable economic reports today however there is a 20-Yr Treasury Bond auction at 1:00 p.m. ET that could impact both bond and equity markets.

As far as the Fed goes there are two speakers today, but both are after the close: Goolsbee (5:30 p.m. ET) and Williams (7:00 p.m. ET).

That will leave investor focus on earnings early with more big banks and notable consumer financial companies reporting ahead of the bell including: MS ($1.67), CFG ($2.15), SYF ($1.49), ALLY ($0.88), USB ($1.13), and TRV ($3.64), while TSLA ($0.85) and IBM ($1.27) will release results after the close.

Bottom line, the 2-Yr Treasury yield is testing a more than one-month high this morning and stocks are coming for sale broadly which underscores deteriorating sentient among investors with the S&P 500 trading well above 4,100 this week. And if earnings news is not encouraging today, and yields continue to move higher over the course of the session, the selling pressure on equities is likely to continue and liable to accelerate.

Tom Essaye Interviewed on Yahoo Finance Live on April 11th, 2023

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‘The Fed will be more hawkish than the market is currently expecting,’ Sevens Report Research President says

Sevens Report Research President Tom Essaye joins Yahoo Finance Live to discuss U.S. inflation, Fed policy, economic uncertainty, and the outlook for markets. “I think the Fed will be more hawkish than the market is currently expecting. We have to remember something. If we look at year-end Fed Funds estimates, it’s 4% to 4 and 1/4%. So the market is pricing in numerous rate cuts, not hikes, rate cuts before year end”…said Tom Essaye. Click here to watch the full interview.