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Jobs Day

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Day
  • Is AI Friend or Foe to the Labor Market?

Futures are modestly lower mostly on continued tech weakness following AVGO’s disappointing earnings and after a mostly quiet night of news.

Tech stocks are extending Thursday’s post AVGO earnings driven declines and that’s weighing on futures although nothing newly negative occurred overnight.

Economically, the only notable report was Q1 Eurozone GDP which missed estimates (0.3% vs. (E) 0.8%).

Today focus will be on the jobs report and expectations are as follows: 85K Job-Adds, 4.3% Unemployment Rate and 3.4% y/y Wage Growth.  The “best case” scenario is a Goldilocks number with above expectations job adds and unemployment and wages that meet or slightly beat expectations, as that will imply a stable labor market but not one that is putting upside pressure on inflation.

 

Oil and Inflation (Worse Than You Might Think)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Oil and Inflation (Worse Than You Might Think)

Futures are little changed following a quiet night of news as earnings were solid overnight and investors remained optimistic about a U.S./Iran ceasefire.

There was no incremental progress on a U.S./Iran ceasefire overnight but investors ultimately expect a deal in the near term.

Earnings have been the driver of this recent rally and results overnight were solid, highlighted by WDAY (up 8%).

Econ Today: Consumer Sentiment (E: 48.2, 1-Yr Inflation Expectations: 4.5%), Leading Indicators (E: -0.3%).  Fed Speak: Waller (10:00 a.m. ET).

Focus today will be on geopolitics and any tangible progress towards a U.S./Iran ceasefire will further pressure oil and boost stocks.

Away from geopolitics, the key economic report today is the five-year inflation expectations in the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment report.  Inflation expectations above 3.0% and closer to 4.0% will make the Fed more hawkish and increase rate hike chances, so the closer to 3.0% in that number, the better.

 

How to Get Pre-IPO Exposure to SpaceX

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • How to Get Pre-IPO Exposure to SpaceX

Futures are modestly lower as NVDA earnings met expectations while markets await news on the ceasefire.

NVDA results were strong but not perfect (small miss on data center revs) and the stock is flat overnight.

Economically, EU and UK May flash PMIs signaled stagflation, with weak growth (sub-50) and high prices.

Today markets will continue to watch the U.S./Iran headlines and any backtracking on yesterday’s “progress” will be a general negative.

Away from geopolitics, however, today is a busy day of economic data that will give us important insight into stagflation risks.  Key reports toady include, in order of importance: Flash Manufacturing PMI (E: 53.5), Jobless Claims (E: 213K), Philly Fed (E: 15.0) and Housing Starts (1.410M).  In general, solid results modestly above expectations are the best case for stocks.  We also have one Fed speaker, Barkin at 12:20 p.m. ET, but he shouldn’t move markets.

Finally, on the earnings front, three notable reports today include WMT ($0.65), DE ($5.81) and WDAY ($1.17).

 

Stagflation or “Run Hot”

Between now and Labor Day, markets should get a much clearer answer on whether the economy is headed toward stagflation or a continued “run hot” environment of resilient growth and elevated inflation.

In this week’s Alpha webinar, we will build a practical “Stagflation vs. Run Hot Summer Scorecard” designed to help advisors identify which environment is developing beneath the surface of today’s market.

Subscribers receive:

  • The key growth and inflation indicators to watch this summer
  • The levels and signals that would point to stagflation vs. run hot
  • Portfolio implications for stocks, bonds, and commodities

Start your zero-risk free trial of Sevens Report Alpha today and access the webinar and all our recent issues: Access the Full Webinar Here

Is This An “Earnings vs. Everything Else” Market?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is This An “Earnings vs. Everything Else” Market?
  • Weekly Market Preview: A Sneakily Important Week for Earnings, Economic Growth and Iran
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet: Does May Economic Activity Stay Resilient?

Futures are extending Friday’s declines and are moderately lower as there was no progress on a U.S./Iran ceasefire over the weekend.

The UAE and Saudi Arabia reported limited drone attacks on energy infrastructure and while markets still expect a ceasefire, the chances of a resumption of fighting are rising.

Economically, Chinese data was soft, as Industrial Production (4.1% vs. (E) 6.0%), Fixed Asset Investment (-1.6% vs. (E) 1.7%) and Retail Sales (0.2% vs. (E) 2.0%) all badly missed estimates.

Today focus will remain on geopolitics as President Trump is meeting with his national security team and while not the majority expectation, the chances of a resumption of direct U.S. attacks on Iran are rising (and if that happens, markets will drop). Away from geopolitics, the only notable economic report is the Housing Market Index (E: 34) which shouldn’t move markets.

 

Tom Essaye Tells Barron’s What’s Really Supporting The Rally

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The two underpinnings of the rally are really earnings and economic growth, Tom Essaye tells Barron’s.

S&P 500, Nasdaq Climb Back to Record Highs. Earnings Are in Focus.

“The two underpinnings of the rally are really earnings and economic growth, and the news continues to be good,” Sevens Report Research’s Tom Essaye tells Barron’s.

Essaye argues part of the risk for the market is that both strong earnings and economic growth are tied to the artificial intelligence buildout.

“That’s essentially acting like an economic stimulus program that’s boosting growth at the same time,” he says. “That’s fine—unless it stops. And then all of a sudden you’ve got a really substantial problem on your hands.”

Also, click here to view the full article published in Barron’s on May 5th, 2026. 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.

Could Earnings Be More Important than War This Week?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Could Earnings Be More Important than War This Week?
  • Weekly Market Preview: Will Earnings Be Strong Enough to Offset any Geopolitical Disappointment?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet: Fed Decision on Wednesday (Will They Still Point to Rate Cuts?)

Futures are little changed despite no ceasefire meeting between the U.S. and Iran over the weekend.

There were no additional ceasefire talks over the weekend but markets still view the ceasefire process as ongoing, so the “no meeting news” isn’t hitting stocks.

Economically, the only notable report was German Gfk Consumer Climate and it missed estimates (-33 vs. (E) -30).

This week could be very important for the rally as we have critical earnings, a Fed decision on Wednesday and potential progress on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz all looming. But, the week starts quietly as there are no notable economic reports today, so any U.S./Iran ceasefire deal headlines should continue to drive markets.

On earnings, this is the most important week of the reporting season (especially Thursday) and some results we’re watching today include: VZ ($1.22), DPZ ($4.29), CLS ($1.98), NUE ($2.79) and UHS ($5.29).

 

Technical Take: Important Levels to Watch

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Technical Take: Important Levels to Watch

Futures are mixed despite strong tech earnings and a three-week extension of the Israel/Lebanon ceasefire.

Intel (INTC) surged 26% pre-market on blow out earnings and guidance and that’s helping to support futures.

Geopolitically, Israel and Lebanon extended the ceasefire but there was no more information on when the next U.S./Iran face to face talks will occur.

Today there is one economic report, Consumer Sentiment (E: 48.0) and some notable earnings, PG ($1.56), CHTR ($9.97), NSC ($2.51), HCA ($7.19), but geopolitics will remain the primary driver of markets.

To that point, while the Israel/Lebanon ceasefire is a positive, the market still only cares about the Strait of Hormuz reopening and because of that, when the next U.S./Iran talks occur will be the biggest potential catalyst today and the sooner, the better for markets.

 

A Tale of Three Markets

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • A Tale of Three Markets

Futures are moderately lower as markets await the next steps in the U.S./Iran ceasefire process while tech earnings underwhelmed overnight.

There was no new U.S./Iran news overnight as markets await the details of the next in-face U.S./Iran talks.

On earnings, IBM (down 7%) and TSLA (down 3%) underwhelmed on earnings and that’s weighing on futures.

Today focus will stay on U.S./Iran and key events now are 1) When the next face to face meeting happens (chatter implies this weekend) and 2) The dual naval blockades of the Strait of Hormuz (any hint they could end would be positive).

Away from the Strait of Hormuz, there are important economic reports today including Jobless Claims (E: 210K), the Flash Manufacturing PMI (E: 52.5) and the Flash Services PMI (E: 50.0) and the stronger the data, the better as it’ll push back on stagflation concerns.

Finally, earnings season continues to heat up and two important reports today are AXP ($4.03) and INTC ($-0.11).

 

Tom Essaye says banks are in a good position to know how consumers are doing

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Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research, said banks have a 360-degree view of most American consumers’ financial lives now.

Big banks remark on “resilience” of U.S. consumers

But what’s notable about this week’s earnings is what they say about consumers. Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research, said banks are in a good position to know how consumers are doing.

“They’re essentially financial supermarkets, and they really have a 360-degree view of most American consumers’ financial lives now, whether it’s through checking, loans, credit cards,” he said.

Also, click here to view the full article on Marketplace.org published on April 15th, 2026. 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.

Are Equity Investors Getting Paid Enough for Their Risk?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Are Equity Investors Getting Paid Enough for Their Risk?

Futures are modestly weaker despite solid tech earnings overnight as AI anxiety is weighing on markets.

Earnings overnight were solid, highlighted by semiconductor company Applied Materials (AMAT) which best estimates and is rallying 11% pre-market.

Economically, the only notable report was EU Flash GDP which met estimates (1.3% y/y).

Today focus will be on CPI and the market needs a good report to help bolster sentiment and reinforce that rate cuts are coming later this year.  Expectations for CPI are E: 0.3% m/m, 2.5% y/y and Core CPI (0.3% m/m, 2.5% y/y).  Anything below those readings, especially in Core, will be welcomed by markets.

Earnings continue as well and notable reports today include: MRNA ($-2.60), CCJ ($0.28), AAP ($0.41).