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Jobs Report Preview (Important for Fed Rate Cut Expectations)

Jobs Report Preview: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Report Preview (Important for Fed Rate Cut Expectations)
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are modestly lower on continued elevated geo-political tensions and following mixed economic data.

Geopolitically, markets await the response from Israel to Tuesday’s attack and recent reports are stating it will be more aggressive than in April (increasing escalation risks).

Economically, EU and UK Service PMIs were mixed but both stayed above 50 (and economic positive).

Today focus will remain on economic data and the two key reports are Jobless Claims (E: 225K) and the ISM Services PMI (E: 51.5).  If the reports are close to in-line with expectations, look for a bounce in stocks as that will imply a still solid economy (soft landing) with looming Fed rate cuts (50 bps between now and year-end).

Regarding geopolitics, Israel’s response attack could come at any minute and the key here is whether it’s an aggressive attack on key Iranian military or oil infrastructure, or not.  If so, that could lead to further escalation (negative for the market).  If not, we likely have a repeat of April (where the situation cools down).  Regardless, watch oil.  If it spikes numerous percent (say 3% or more) that will reflect real, elevated geo-political tensions.

Sevens Report Quarterly Letter Delivered

Our Q3’24 Quarterly Letter was delivered to subscribers. We use our strength (writing about the markets) to help you:

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The port strike could disrupt the data

The port strike could disrupt the data: Tom Essaye Quoted in Forbes


Could Dock Worker Strike Spike Inflation? Experts Are Split.

Sevens Report analyst Tom Essaye wrote Tuesday to clients any strike-related inflation uptick is ultimately just a “temporary disruption” and shouldn’t impact the view of the broader inflation picture.

“The port strike could disrupt the data, essentially creating a smoke screen for the Fed when trying to stick the soft landing,” wrote Essaye.

Also, click here to view the full Forbes article published on October 1st, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

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Economic Implications of the Port Strikes

Economic Implications of the Port Strikes: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Will the Port Strike Increase Hard Landing Chances
  • Fed Chair Powell’s Commentary Takeaways (Less-Dovish)

Futures are little changed this morning as investors weigh a favorable decline in EU inflation against news that a dockworkers strike has commenced at East Coast ports.

Economically, the Eurozone Manufacturing PMI fell to 45.0 vs. (E) 44.8 while the EU HICP Flash (their CPI) fell 0.4% to 1.8% vs. (E) 2.0% in September. The sub-2% headline was notably the first below-ECB-target print since 2021.

Looking into today’s session, there are several domestic economic data points that will be in focus including, in order of importance: The ISM Manufacturing PMI (E: 47.0), JOLTS (E: 7.7 million), and Construction Spending (E: -0.3%).

Additionally, there is one Fed speaker on the calendar for the late morning: Bostic (11:00 a.m. ET).

Bottom line, investors will be assessing what the market implications of the East Coast port strike will be as the situation develops today while also looking for more “goldilocks” economic data and a less-hawkish tone from Fed officials in order for the early week stock market gains to hold.

 

Sevens Report Quarterly Letter Delivered Today

Our Q3’24 Quarterly Letter will be delivered to subscribers today. We use our strength (writing about the markets) to help you:

  • Save time (an average of 4-6 hours per quarterly letter)
  • Show you’re on top of markets with impressive, compelling market analysis.

You can view our Q2 ’24 Quarterly Letter here. To learn more about the product (including price) please click this link.

If you’re interested in subscribing, please email: info@sevensreport.com.


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Why the Next Four Weeks Are So Important

Investor Sentiment Update: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why the Next Four Weeks Are So Important
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Does Data Stay Goldilocks?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Jobs Report Friday, ISM PMIs This Week

Futures are slightly lower as markets digest last week’s rally ahead of a busy week of economic data.

Geo-politically, Mid-East tensions rose further as Israel struck Houthi targets in Yemen, expanding its current campaign.  However, for now this is not impacting stocks.

Economically, Chinese manufacturing and non-manufacturing PMIs underwhelmed, raising expectations for even more stimulus (and boosting Chinese stocks).

There are no important economic reports today (they come later this week) so the most important event today is Powell’s speech at 1:55 p.m. ET.  He’s unlikely to say much new (given the FOMC decision was less than two weeks ago) but a dovish reiteration of policy will likely continue to boost markets in the near term.


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Investor Sentiment Update

Investor Sentiment Update: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Sentiment Update: Investors Aren’t Wildly Bullish, But They Are Complacent
  • August Durable Goods Come in Better-Than-Feared
  • Jobless Claims Point to Further Resilience in the Labor Market

U.S. stock futures are slightly lower this morning as more positive stimulus news out of China is being offset by a stronger yen following Japanese election results.

The PBOC cut 7-day reverse repo rates to 1.5% from 1.7% as well as lowered bank reserve ratios by another 50 bp which sent stocks in Asia solidly higher with some regional benchmarks advancing the most since 2008.

In Japan, Shigeru Ishiba’s election victory to become the nation’s next Prime Minister spurred a more than 1% rally in the yen as he is a monetary policy hawk. The yen strength is weighing on the global carry trade, specifically U.S. tech stocks in the pre-market.

Looking into today’s session, the most important potential catalysts hits before the bell with the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, Core PCE (E: 0.2% m/m, 2.7% y/y) due out at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Additionally, the latest Consumer Sentiment Report (E: 69.0, 1-Yr Inflation Expectations: 2.7%) will be released at 10:00 a.m. ET and there is one Fed speaker in the early afternoon: Bowman (1:15 p.m.) but Fed speak has been benign this week and is likely to stay that way today.


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Sevens Report Co-Editor Tyler Richey Quoted in S&P Global

Rate-cut expectations played a major role in the stock market rebound: Sevens Report Co-Editor Tyler Richey Quoted in S&P Global


Stocks surge to all-time highs; market questions if Fed cuts can sustain rally

“Rate-cut expectations played a major role in the stock market rebound off the early August pullback, but only because the increasingly dovish Fed policy expectations for sooner-and-deeper rate cuts were accompanied by encouraging economic data that helped ease the suddenly urgent fears of an imminent recession in the wake of the July jobs report,” said Tyler Richey, a co-editor with Sevens Report Research.

Rate cut expectations will weigh heavily on the stock market through the end of 2024, primarily as they relate to the outlook for economic growth, said Richey with Sevens Report Research.

“Soft landings are historically elusive, and the Fed has notably never pulled one off after a deep and prolonged yield curve inversion like we have seen in the Treasury market since the summer of 2022,” he said. “Using history as a guide, we are in a late cycle environment and very likely closer to seeing a lasting market top established than a new leg higher in a sustainable bull market.”

Also, click here to view the full S&P Global article published on September 20th, 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.

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Fed-Day Technical Tear Sheet (Negative Divergence from Fundamentals)

Fed-Day Technical Tear Sheet (Negative Divergence from Fundamentals): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Fed-Day Technical Tear-Sheet: Market Technicals Are Diverging Negatively from Still Optimistic Fundamentals
  • Economic Takeaways: Retail Sales and Industrial Production Top Estimates

Stock futures are trading tentatively higher as investors digest mostly as-expected inflation data out of Europe overnight and look ahead to today’s Fed decision.

Economically, Eurozone CPI met estimates at 2.2% y/y in August while the Core figure was also as-expected at an unchanged 2.8% y/y last month.

Today, focus will be on the one notable economic data point due to be released: Housing Starts (1.300M) but it is unlikely to materially move markets with the Fed decision looming this afternoon.

The FOMC Announcement will hit the wires at 2:00 p.m. ET followed by Fed Chair Powell’s Press Conference at 2:30 p.m. ET. The consensus expectation is a 25 bp rate cut will be delivered but market-based policy rate expectations are pricing in a 65% chance of a 50 bp rate cut as of this morning.

Bottom line, whether the Fed delivers a 25 bp or 50 bp rate cut today is less important than the guidance provided on future cuts as the market wants to see the framework laid out for a fairly aggressive rate cutting path in the months ahead to shore up soft-landing hopes. So projections and Powell’s speech will be critical for the market reaction late in the session.


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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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The Fed could fall behind the curve as real interest rates continue to rise.=

The Fed could fall behind the curve: Sevens Report Analysts Quoted in Investing.com


The Fed may be further behind the curve

“If we excluded housing from Core CPI, yesterday’s Core CPI reading would have increased just 0.1%,” they explained, downplaying fears of a significant inflation resurgence.

Despite this, the inflation data has reduced the likelihood of a 50-basis-point rate cut by the Fed.

The real risk, according to Sevens, is that the Fed could fall behind the curve as real interest rates continue to rise.

“Real interest rates are now putting more pressure on the economy than they have at any point during the Fed’s tightening cycle,” Sevens stated.

Also, click here to view the full Investing.com article published on September 12th, 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.

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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