Posts

Is Bad Economic Data Starting to Pressure Earnings?

Is Bad Economic Data Starting to Pressure Earnings? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is Bad Economic Data Starting to Pressure Earnings?
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are modestly lower again following more disappointing earnings and another hot global inflation print.

DELL (down 15% pre-market) became the latest non-AI tech company to post disappointing results and that’s weighing on futures.

Economically, the EU flash HICP (their CPI) rose more than expected at 2.9% vs. (E) 2.7% y/y and that’s pushing back on expectations for multiple ECB rate cuts this year.

Today brings the biggest economic report of the week, the Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.2% m/m, 2.8% y/y).  Markets will want to see a number at, or ideally below, expectations to further ease inflation anxiety and pressure Treasury yields. If investors get that number this morning, expect a solid bounce back rally in stocks and bonds.  The other notable number today is the Chicago PMI (E: 40.8) but barring a major surprise that shouldn’t move markets.

Regarding the Trump guilty verdict, as we covered in Thursday’s Report, this could result in some temporary volatility in select sectors (oil and gas, industrials, financials) but we do not view this event as a material influence on markets.

Finally, there is one Fed speaker today, Bostic at 6:15 p.m. ET but he shouldn’t move markets.


Join thousands 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.

Did the Last 48 Hours Make the Fed More Hawkish?

Did the Last 48 Hours Make the Fed More Hawkish? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Did the Last 48 Hours Make the Fed More Hawkish?

Futures are modestly higher following a quiet night as markets bounce following Thursday’s high-rate driven declines.

Economically, UK Retail Sales declined –2.3% vs. (E ) -0.1%, although that’s not making a June cut more likely.

Geo-politically, there are reports Putin will seek a cease-fire in Ukraine, although that’s unconfirmed (it would be a surprise positive if true).

Given the looming long weekend we can expect quiet trading today but there are two notable economic reports:   Durable Goods Orders (E: -0.5%) and University of Michigan Inflation Expectations (1-Yr Inflation Expectations: 3.5%, 5-Year Inflation Expectations 3.1%). As yesterday demonstrated, strong data is “bad” for stocks in the near term so markets will want to see in-line readings or slightly soft numbers on both reports to help fuel a rebound from yesterday.

There is also one Fed speaker and it’s an important one, Waller at 9:35 a.m. ET, but it’s unlikely he’ll say anything surprising (he just spoke earlier this week).


Join thousands 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.

Even a small bout of stagflation would result in a 10%-20% decline in stocks

Even a small bout of stagflation would result in a 10%-20% decline in stocks: Tom Essaye Quoted in MarketWatch


The economy could be heading toward 1970s-style stagflation. What it means for the stock market.

 “Stagflation doesn’t have to be as bad as it was in the 1970s, but for a stock market that’s trading above 21 times earnings, the truth is that even a small bout of stagflation would result in a 10%-20% decline in stocks,” said Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research, in a Monday note.

“Of course, comparing this period to the 1970s, where GDP growth was flat or negative and CPI was running more than 10%, [Powell’s] absolutely right [that] there is no stagflation,” said Essaye. But he added that it’s somewhat “dismissive” to say that just because things aren’t as bad as they were in the 1970s, any talk of stagflation is unwarranted.

“In an absolute sense,” economic growth is not at levels that would imply stagflation — but data releases are becoming “more conclusive that economic momentum is slowing,” Essaye said. “While stagnation isn’t here yet, the data is showing a greater chance of it occurring than any time in the last year and a half.”

Also, click here to view the full MarketWatch article published on May 13th, 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.

How Long Can Goldilocks Last?

How Long Can Goldilocks Last? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • How Long Can Goldilocks Last?
  • Weekly Market Preview:  More Updates on Growth and AI Enthusiasm (NVDA Earnings on Wednesday)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Will the First Big Report of May Confirm Slowing Growth?

Futures are little changed following a generally quiet weekend of news and ahead of another important week of potential market catalysts.

Geopolitics was in focus this weekend as Iranian President Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash, although it appears an accident and oil isn’t rallying on the news.

There was no notable economic data overnight.

Today there are no economic reports but there are multiple Fed speakers including: Bostic (7:30 & 8:45 a.m. ET), Barr & Waller (9:00 a.m. ET), Jefferson (10:30 a.m. ET), Mester (2:00 p.m. ET) and Bostic again (7:00 p.m. ET).  However, for all the commentary, unless multiple Fed officials start openly discussing rate hikes (which is extremely unlikely) their commentary shouldn’t meaningfully move markets.


Join thousands 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.

Still A Soft Landing, But Growth Is Slowing

Still A Soft Landing, But Growth Is Slowing: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Hard Landing/Soft Landing Scoreboard:  Still A Soft Landing, But Growth Is Slowing

Futures are little changed as markets again digested the post CPI rally amidst more in-line inflation data and additional Chinese economic stimulus.

Core EU HICP (their CPI) met expectations, rising 0.7% m/m and 2.7% y/y, and kept a June rate cut on track.

In China, the government announced a sweeping program to support the property industry, potentially adding more critical stimulus to the Chinese economy.

Today focus will be on Leading Indicators (E: -0.3%) and two Fed speakers, Waller (10:15 a.m. ET) and Daly (12:15 p.m. ET), but barring any major surprises, they shouldn’t move markets and further digestion of the new highs is to be expected.


Join thousands 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.

Short vs. Long Term Market Outlook (Is Falling Inflation & Slowing Growth Good for Stocks?)

Short vs. Long Term Market Outlook: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Short vs. Long Term Market Outlook (Is Falling Inflation & Slowing Growth Good for Stocks?)
  • EIA Update and Oil Market Analysis

Futures are little changed as market digest Wednesday’s new high amidst more dovish global data.

Japanese GDP (-0.5% vs. (E) -0.4%), Aussie Unemployment (4.1% vs. (E) 3.9%) and Italian HICP (their CPI, 0.9% vs. (E) 1.0% y/y) all pointed towards falling inflation and slowing global growth, which investors welcome (for now).

Today is a busy day full of data and Fed speak.  Broadly speaking, if the data/Fed speak is dovish and Treasury yields drop, it’ll extend the rally.

Notable economic data today includes (in order of importance):  Jobless Claims (E: 219K), Philly Fed (E: 7.8), Industrial Production (E: 0.1%) and Housing Starts (E: 1.435MM).

On the Fed, there are numerous speakers including:  Barr (10:00 a.m. ET), Barkin (10:00 a.m. ET), Harker (10:30 a.m. ET), Mester (12:00 p.m. ET), Bostic (3:50 p.m. ET).  But, unless they all start talking about rate hikes (very unlikely), their commentary shouldn’t move markets.


Join thousands 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.

CPI Preview: Good, Bad, & Ugly

CPI Preview: Good, Bad, & Ugly: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Thoughts on the Meme-Stock Revival
  • CPI Preview: Good, Bad, & Ugly
  • Chart – NY Fed’s Consumer Survey Contains Hot Inflation Print

Global markets are little changed this morning as traders digest mostly better-than-expected economic data from Europe and await today’s PPI report and commentary from Fed Chair Powell.

“Meme stocks” GME and AMC are notably up 58% and 64%, respectively, in pre-market trading this morning (more on that in today’s report).

Economically, German CPI met estimates at 2.2% y/y while Economic Sentiment in the German ZEW came in at 47.1 vs. (E) 45.0. Domestically, the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index beat with a headline of 89.7 vs. (E) 88.3 but the data is having a limited impact on markets this morning.

Looking into today’s session, focus will be on PPI (E: 0.3% m/m, 2.2% y/y) and Core PPI (E: 0.2% m/m, 2.3% y/y) due out at 8:30 a.m. ET. A “hot” print would spark hawkish, risk-off money flows while a cooler-than-expected report could see the S&P 500 test all-time-highs as CPI whisper numbers are dialed back.

Finally, there are a handful of Fed speakers today including Cook (9:10 a.m. ET) ahead of the bell and Schmid (8:15 p.m. ET) later this evening. Most importantly though, Powell will speak at 10:00 a.m. ET and if he is more hawkish than two weeks ago at the May FOMC meeting, that will put upward pressure on rates and weigh, potentially heavily, on stocks.


Join thousands 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.

Are Stagflation Risks Real?

Are Stagflation Risks Real? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Are Stagflation Risks Real?
  • Weekly Market Preview:  If Treasury Yields Rebound, Will That Hit Stocks?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  CPI on Wednesday, Important Growth Data Throughout the Week

Futures are slightly higher following a very quiet weekend of news as investors look ahead to a potentially very important week that includes Wednesday’s CPI report.

China announced plans to sell $140 billion in long term bonds to fund more economic stimulus, which will help combat recession fears in that economy.

There was no notable economic data out over the weekend.

Today focus will be on the New York Fed One Year Inflation Expectations (3.0%).  If they run hot like we saw in Friday’s University of Michigan Inflation Expectations, Treasury yields should rise and pressure stocks.  Outside of that data, we also have two Fed speakers, Jefferson & Mester (9:00 a.m. ET), but they shouldn’t move markets unless they talk about rate hikes.


Join thousands 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.

What Are The GRANOLAS and Why Are They Attractive?

What Are The GRANOLAS and Why Are They Attractive? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Are The GRANOLAS and Why Are They Attractive?
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are modestly weaker following a quiet night of news as investors digest the last weeks’ gains.

Economically, Chinese exports (1.5% vs. (E) 1.3%) and imports (8.4% vs. (E) 4.7%) were stronger than expected, offering some optimism for that economy.

Tech earnings continued to be mixed as semiconductor company ARM Holdings (ARM) posted soft guidance and the stock is down 8% pre-market.

Today focus initially will be on the BOE Rate Decision, as no rate cut is expected but the BOE may signal a rate cut is coming in June.  In the U.S., the only notable number is Jobless Claims (E: 212K) and there’s just one Fed speaker today (Daly at 2:00 p.m. ET) and it’ll take a significant surprise from either event to move markets.


Join thousands 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.

Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s on April 9th, 2024.

Sevens Report Research’s Tom Essaye told Barron’s that with not much on the calendar Tuesday


Dow Closes Flat Ahead of CPI Report

Sevens Report Research’s Tom Essaye told Barron’s that with not much on the calendar Tuesday, traders were looking ahead to Wednesday’s consumer price index report, as well as updates on producer prices and the start of earnings season on Thursday and Friday, respectively.

“The Wednesday-Thursday-Friday of this week has the potential to provide some surprises or, conversely, reinforce what everybody hopes is going to happen,” Essaye says. “I think that what we’re seeing today is people just sort of biding their time, doing a little bit of positioning, making sure their risk tolerance is appropriate as we head into tomorrow’s 8:30 a.m. CPI release.”

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on April 9th, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

It’ll be Very Hard for This Market to RallyIf 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.