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Understanding Why the Fed Cut 50 bps

Understanding Why the Fed Cut 50 bps: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Understanding Why the Fed Cut 50 bps
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Can Momentum Keep Pushing Markets Higher?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Focus Turns Back to Growth

Futures are slightly higher following a mostly quiet weekend of news and despite soft economic data overnight.

Economically, the EU flash PMIs were weaker than expected as manufacturing declined to 44.8 vs. (E) 45.7 while services nearly broke 50 (falling to 50.5 vs. (E) 52.3).

Geopolitically, Israeli strikes against Hezbollah continued but for now, markets are ignoring the escalation.

Today brings the two most important economic reports of the week vis the Flash Manufacturing PMI (E: 48.5) and Flash Services PMI (E: 55.3).  Numbers that meet or modestly exceed estimates should keep last week’s rally going while very disappointing readings will modestly increase growth concerns.

There are also several Fed speakers today including Bostic (8:00 a.m. ET), Goolsbee (10:15 a.m. ET) and Kashkari (1:00 p.m. ET).


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Markets are currently facing “tectonic risks”

Markets are currently facing “tectonic risks”: Sevens Report Analysts Quoted in Investing.com


Markets are currently facing ‘tectonic risks’, strategists warn

The latest Sevens Report issued a warning, stating that markets are currently facing “tectonic risks” that could pose significant threats over time.

Sevens acknowledged a sense of disbelief among some investors who were surprised by the resilience of stocks, despite mounting political uncertainty and a clearly slowing economy.

According to Sevens, while there are visible warning signs—including rising unemployment, weak manufacturing data, and negative bank guidance—the overall news isn’t “bad enough yet to cause a sustainable decline in stocks.”

However, they pointed out that the macro risks are real, with political uncertainty (particularly around potential elections), economic ambiguity (whether there will be a soft or hard landing), and geopolitical tensions (including Russia/Ukraine and the situation in Taiwan) looming large.

However, “potential risks and anecdotal negatives, while all legitimate, and not yet enough to distract investors from positive factors in this market,” they wrote.

They believe factors such as the anticipation of Federal Reserve rate cuts, expected earnings growth, and sustained enthusiasm around artificial intelligence have been supporting the market.

The analysts stated that “the burden of proof remains with the bears” as these positive elements keep stocks buoyant for now.

However, the report emphasized that while markets could “grind higher” in the short term, with the potential for the S&P 500 to hit new highs, they remain exposed to “dramatic negative shocks” that could result in a significant 10%-20% decline.

“Bottom line, the risks currently facing this market (economic growth, earnings, geopolitics) are tectonic risks. They don’t present themselves all at once or in a flash, they evolve over time until they become sustainable and that’s when bear markets occur,” said Sevens.

Also, click here to view the full Investing.com article published on September 16th, 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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How to Explain This Market To Clients (September Update)

How to Explain This Market To Clients: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • How to Explain This Market To Clients (September Update)
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Two Key Central Bank Decisions (Fed on Wednesday, BOJ on Thursday)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Important Growth Updates This Week

Futures are little changed despite more negative Chinese economic data as investors look ahead to the Fed decision on Wednesday.

August Chinese economic data disappointed as Industrial Production (4.5% vs. (E) 4.7% and Retail Sales (2.1% vs. (E) 2.7%) both missed estimates, raising more concerns about Chinese growth (and global growth more broadly).

Politically, there was another assassination attempt on Trump, although the event shouldn’t alter the current race.

This week will be both busy and important for this rally, but it starts slowly as the only notable number today is the September Empire Manufacturing Index (-4.1).  An in-line to slightly better than expected number would be the best-case scenario for markets today.


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September Market Multiple Table Chart

September Market Multiple Table Chart: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • September Market Multiple Table Chart

Futures are slightly higher despite more underwhelming tech company guidance.

Adobe (ADBE) posted solid results but disappointing guidance (like many tech firms recently) and the stock is down 8% pre-market, but that’s not impacting the broader averages like other recent disappointing tech guidance.

Economically, Euro Zone Industrial Production slightly missed estimates although that’s not moving markets.

Today focus will be on inflation expectations in the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index and expectations are:  1-Yr Inflation Expectations: 2.8%, 5-Yr. Inflation Expectations: 3.0%.  If we see better than expected numbers, that should further fuel the “dovish” rally that pushed stocks higher on Thursday.


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What CPI Means for Markets (Fed Further Behind Curve?)

What CPI Means for Markets (Fed Further Behind Curve?): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What CPI Means for Markets (Fed Further Behind Curve?)

Futures are modestly higher mostly on momentum from Wednesday’s impressive reversal and following encouraging Japanese inflation data.

Economically, the only notable number overnight was Japanese PPI and it rose 2.5% vs. (E) 2.8%. That may take some pressure off the BOJ to hike rates and also weigh on the yen and the Nikkei rose 3% in response.

Today the focus will remain on economic data and rate cuts via the ECB Rate Decision first (E: 25 bps cut) and later Jobless Claims (E: 230K) and PPI (E: 0.2% m/m, 1.8% y/y).  If data can meet expectations and the ECB cuts rates and signals more cuts coming, yesterday’s rally can (and likely will) continue.

There are also two notable earnings reports today via Kroger (KR $0.91) and Adobe (ADBE $4.53).  KR will give us insight into consumer spending (especially on essentials) while ADBE will be the latest tech company to post results (and the stronger the guidance, the better for the broader tech sector).


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This market remains vulnerable to negative shocks

This market remains vulnerable to negative shocks: Sevens Report Analysts Quoted in Investing.com


S&P 500 could hit low 4,000s if ‘things get worse’: The Sevens Report

According to the latest Sevens Report Research note, the S&P 500 may face a significant drop into the low 4,000s in a worst-case scenario, if economic conditions deteriorate and key market assumptions falter.

The firm said in its latest note that recent market activity has shown that the S&P 500 is trading at a valuation that does not reflect current economic realities.

“This market remains vulnerable to negative shocks on growth, Fed rate cuts, inflation, and earnings,” the analysts explained, highlighting the risks the index faces.

Economic data, especially in the labor market, has shown a deterioration in recent months, which has led to rising concerns about a potential hard landing.

While the data still suggests a soft landing is more likely, the slowing economy does not justify the S&P 500’s current 21X multiple, according to Sevens.

“The economy is notably losing momentum, and that’s simply not an environment that warrants a 20X multiple,” Sevens stated.

Also, click here to view the full Investing.com article published on September 10th, 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.


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.

Is Oil’s Collapse an Anecdotal Warning Sign?

Is Oil’s Collapse an Anecdotal Warning Sign? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • More Problems With Expectations (This Time Companies)
  • Is Oil’s Collapse an Anecdotal Warning Sign?

Futures are tracking most overseas equity markets lower as investors assess global growth concerns and look ahead to today’s critical U.S. inflation data.

Economically, U.K. data was weak as monthly GDP fell to 0.5% vs. (E) 0.6%, Industrial Production was down -0.8% vs. (E) +0.2% and monthly trade data showed both imports and exports slowed -4.6% and -10.8%, respectively in July.

Looking ahead to today’s session, the most important potential market catalyst is U.S. inflation data: CPI (E: 0.2% m/m, 2.6% y/y) and Core CPI (E: 0.2% m/m, 3.2% y/y). A “cool” CPI report should bolster hopes for a 50 bp rate cut next week, and in turn, support stocks while a “hot” print could pour cold water on this week’s tentative rebound in equity markets.

There are no Fed officials scheduled to speak today however there is a 10-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET that could shed additional light on investor expectations for inflation, growth, and Fed policy going forward. A weak auction outcome would be negative for stocks while solid demand for the 10-Yr Notes should support a continuation of this week’s rally.


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We’re seeing mostly technical dip-buying

We’re seeing mostly technical dip-buying: Sevens Report Editor, Tom Essaye, Quoted in Bloomberg


Stocks Rise as Buyers Scoop Up Bargains After Rout: Markets Wrap

“We’re seeing mostly technical dip-buying,” said Tom Essaye at The Sevens Report. “Economic growth is undoubtedly and clearly losing momentum, but a soft landing remains more likely than a hard landing. This week focus turns back to inflation.”

Also, click here to view the full Bloomberg article published on September 8th, 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.

Market Multiple Table: Still Overvalued

Market Multiple Table: Still Overvalued: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • September Market Multiple Table Update: Still Overvalued
  • Chart – Oil Falls to 52-Week Lows on Demand Worries

Futures are modestly lower this morning as last week’s volatility and yesterday’s relief rally are digested by investors while focus is shifting to tomorrow’s CPI release.

Economically, the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index whiffed estimates of 93.6 and fell 2.5 points to 91.2 in August while German CPI met estimates at 1.9% y/y.

Looking into today’s session, there are no notable economic reports on the calendar, but two Fed officials are scheduled to speak: Barr (10:00 a.m. ET) and Bowman (12:15 p.m. ET). It is unlikely that either move markets though.

Finally, in the afternoon, the Treasury will hold a 3-Yr Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET. If demand for the Notes is weak it could spark hawkish money flows while an auction outcome too-strong could reignite recession worries in afternoon trade.

Bottom line, more “wait-and-see” trading is most likely for today’s session as traders await the latest inflation data which has the potential to shift Fed policy expectations (25 bop or 50 bp Fed rate cut) ahead of next week’s meeting.


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The Real Problem for this Market (Not Growth)

The Real Problem for this Market (Not Growth): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • The Real Problem for this Market (Not Growth)
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Does Weak Inflation Data Make a 50 bps Cut More Likely?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  CPI Wednesday is the key report.

Futures are seeing a strong bounce following a generally quiet weekend of news.

There was no specific positive headline that’s rallying futures and instead we’re seeing mostly technical dip buying.

Economically, Japanese Q2 GDP missed estimates (2.9% vs. (E ) 3.1% and that’s pushing back on BOJ rate hike expectations, which is a mild positive (the yen is down 1%).

This week focus turns back to inflation and that includes today’s NY Fed Inflation Expectations (E: 3.0%).  If they fall more than expected, it’ll further boost expectations for a 50-bps cut (and help support stocks).  The other notable economic report is Consumer Credit (E: $12.5B) and there is another important tech earnings report after the close (ORCL (E: $1.33)).  Solid guidance from ORCL would be a welcomed positive for investors right now.


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