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Utilities, Staples and Healthcare

Utilities, Staples and Healthcare: Tom Essaye Quoted in Morningstar


Defensive stocks have traded poorly this year, but this strategist says they are in a sweet spot | Morningstar

A ‘growth scare’ will push Treasury yields lower and increase demand for safe-haven assets in equities: Sevens Report Research

U.S. stocks in the underperforming defensive sectors may be due for a comeback in the coming months as fears of an economic slowdown will push Treasury yields lower and increase demand for safe-haven assets in equities, according to Sevens Report Research.

“I do believe that we will have an economic growth scare in the coming months. That doesn’t mean I’m saying we’ll have a recession, but I do believe we have a growth scare looming and as such, I will begin to ‘nibble’ on utilities, staples and healthcare on the long side starting today, and I’ll rotate out of cyclicals as they’ve benefitted from solid growth and higher rates,” said Tom Essaye, the founder and the president of Sevens Report Research, in a Tuesday note.

Also, click here to view the full Morningstar article published on October 10th, 2023. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

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Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s on September 23, 2021

Value Stocks Look Poised to Shine Again

Value and cyclical sectors have given back some of their early-year outperformance in recent weeks, but as long as bond yields begin to rebound, value and cyclicals should outpace growth…said Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research. Click here to read the full article.

 

Why Did Cyclicals Outperform?

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Did Cyclicals Outperform?

Stock futures are little changed this morning after a quiet night of news as markets look ahead to key economic data in the U.S. and the latest commentary from Fed leadership.

Economically, Composite PMI data overseas largely met estimates and therefore did not materially impact markets.

Looking into today’s session, focus will be on the ADP Employment Report (E: 715K) which is due out at 8:15 a.m. ET as investors look for the latest insights to U.S. labor market trends (important for Fed policy) and then the ISM Services Index (E: 60.4) which will hit shortly after the open (important regarding the health of the broader economic recovery).

Attention will then turn to Fed Vice Chair Clarida’s speech at 10:00 a.m. ET in which the market will be looking for further reiteration that the labor market has a ways to go before any policy changes will occur (so basically just repeating Powell’s recent comments). Any hawkish surprises could result in a spike in yields and pullback in stocks as policy expectations are very dovish right now.

Finally, earnings season continues with: CVS ($2.07), GM ($1.89), RCL (-$4.26), and KHC ($6.54) reporting before the bell while ROKU ($0.13), UBER (-$0.53), and EA ($1.28) will release Q2 results after the close.

Why Did Cyclicals Collapse Yesterday?

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Did Cyclicals Collapse Yesterday? (Reflation vs. No-Flation)

Futures are slightly lower following a generally quiet night of news.

Economic data was mixed overnight as UK Retail Sales missed estimates (-1.4% vs. (E) 1.8%) while both Japanese and German inflation metrics (CPI and PPI) slightly beat estimates.

The Bank of Japan made no change to policy and extended its COVID lending programs by 6 months (as expected).

Today there are no Fed speakers and no notable economic reports so focus will be on the “micro-economic” and whether we see a continuation of the large tech outperformance from yesterday. Also, there is a quadruple witching options expiration today which will cause large volumes (and possibly volatility) into the close.

Tom Essaye Quoted in MarketWatch on November 6, 2019

Whether or not the performance of these cyclical stocks trading at cheap valuations can continue to lead the market depends on whether faith in an accelerating economy is correct. Tom Essaye, president of the Sevens Report, is not ready to endorse this view just yet. “In the last few days there have been hints of stabilization in the growth data, but just hints…” he wrote in a Tuesday note to clients. Click here to read the full article.

Does this Cyclical Rotation Have Legs?

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Does this Cyclical Rotation Have Legs?
  • Factory Orders Data Takeaways
  • Dr. Copper Update

U.S. stock futures are higher this morning and global stocks rallied overnight thanks to more positive trade headlines and mostly “Goldilocks” economic data overseas.

The Financial Times was the first to report the Trump administration is considering rolling back $112B worth of tariffs that went into effect on September 1st which would be a significant concession and first sign of real progress towards a “phase one” deal being reached.

Economically, the first composite PMI reports were released overseas and both the Chinese and British figures firmed in October, further easing concerns about the health of the global economy.

Today, there are several economic reports due to be released: International Trade (E: $52.5B), ISM Non-Manufacturing Index (E: 53.5), and JOLTS (Previous: 7.051M, while two Fed officials are scheduled to speak: Kaplan (12:40 p.m. ET) and Kashkari (6:00 p.m. ET).

Beyond the data and Fed speakers, focus will be primarily on the trade war as investors look for further insight to whether or not the Trump Administration will move forward with tariff rollbacks and delays as was reported overnight. Any confirmation would be well-received and see stocks extend this recent squeeze higher towards 3,100 in the S&P.

Tom Essaye Quoted in MSN on October 30, 2019

“People had aggressively pushed cyclicals higher over the past two weeks,” said Tom Essaye, founder of the Sevens Report. “But in order for that to work out beyond the short term, we need to see economic data get better, and that’s not really happening.” Click here to read the full article.

Tom Essaye Headshot

Tom Essaye Quoted in CNBC on October 29, 2019

“People had aggressively pushed cyclicals higher over the past two weeks. But in order for that to work out beyond the short term, we need to see…” said Tom Essaye, founder of the Sevens Report. Click here to read the full article.

New York Stock Exchange traders

Time to Buy Cyclicals?

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Time to Buy Cyclicals?
  • Do I Believe in the Breakout?  (No)
  • EIA & Oil Market Update
  • Abbreviated Jobs Report Preview

Futures are marginally higher mostly on momentum from yesterday’s rally, although a small reserve rate cut in China is also helping global stocks rally.

Economic data continued to underwhelm, as Japanese Household Spending (0.8% vs. (E) 1.0%) and German Industrial Production (-0.6% vs. (E) 0.4%) both missed estimates.

Today focus will be on two key events, the Jobs Report (E:  Jobs: 160K, Unemployment: 3.7%, Wages: 0.3%) and a speech by Fed Chair Powell (12:30 p.m. ET).  Short term momentum in the markets is clearly higher right now, so to extend this week’s rally, both events just need to be “Goldilocks” in so much as the job number hits our “Just Right” range, while Powell simply leaves the door open to more accommodation in September, and beyond.