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Is Bad Economic Data Good For Stocks Now?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is Bad Economic Data Good For Stocks Now?  No.
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

S&P 500 futures are solidly higher thanks to strength in tech following very strong NVDA earnings.

NVDA beat earnings estimates and raised guidance on strong AI chip demand and the stock is up 8% pre-market and boosting Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures.

However, the “non-tech” parts of the market are flat to down as investors digest Wednesday’s disappointing economic data.

Today another AI driven rally in tech, following the NVDA earnings, should help support markets.  But, away from tech, markets will be focused on Jobless Claims (242K) and Durable Goods (E: -4.0%), and again the key here is stability, in that the data doesn’t show a sudden deterioration in activity (so spike in claims, drop in Durable Goods) or extreme strength (which would undo yesterday’s Treasury yield decline and weigh on the markets).

Economic Breaker Panel: August Update

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Sevens Report Economic Breaker Panel – August Update
  • A Surprising Warning from Macy’s
  • NVDA Earnings Could Trigger a Huge Move In the Stock: Chart

Stock futures are solidly higher this morning ahead of the widely anticipated release of NVDA earnings after the close today while Treasuries yields are retreating on the back of weak economic data overseas.

The Eurozone PMI Composite Flash indicated the economy fell deeper into contraction territory this month (47.0 vs. E: 48.4) led by an unexpected drop off in service sector activity which is weighing on bond yields this morning and easing some concerns about continued aggressive policy by central banks.

This morning, focus will be on economic data with the U.S. PMI Flash data due out just after the open at 9:45 a.m. ET. The Manufacturing Flash is expected to come in at 48.8 while the Services Flash is expected to hold expansion territory at 52.0).

The market is looking for stabilization in the manufacturing sector and moderation, but not contraction, in the service sector. Material weakness in either headline will rekindle worries about a hard-landing while data that is much better than expected would raise Fed rate hike expectations. So, a “Goldilocks” release will be important for both stock and bond markets to stabilize today.

New Home Sales (E: 702K) will also be released at 10:00 a.m. ET but should have a limited impact on markets.

From there, focus will turn to earnings with NVDA reporting after the close (Earnings Estimate: $2.18, Revenue Estimate: $11.09B). Investors have very high hopes for NVDA’s quarterly performance as well as their forward guidance, so any meaningful disappointment is likely to weigh heavily on the stock, the tech complex, and the markets more broadly in after hours trade.

Sevens Report Analysts Quoted in Investing.com on August 21st, 2023

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Dow Jones, Nasdaq, S&P 500 weekly preview: All eyes on Nvidia and Powell

Sevens Report analysts: “The market of 2023 is being defined almost by hyperbolic extremes. We started 2023 with investors fearing a catastrophic recession, 1970s- style inflation and 1970s-style rate hikes. That hasn’t happened. But just because that didn’t happen, it doesn’t mean that: No economic slowdown will occur, inflation will magically crash to late 20-teens levels, and the Fed will suddenly turn dovish (as markets priced in at 4,600). The truth is in the middle, and that’s where we are now.”

Click here to read the full article.

What Is “R Star” and Why Is It Important?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What is “R*” and Why Is It Important?
  • Palo Alto Shares Rip Higher by 15%, Sparking Tech Rally – Chart

Stock futures are higher this morning with mega-cap tech shares extending this week’s strong advance following news that SoftBank’s Arm semiconductor unit has filed for the largest U.S. IPO in 2 years after the close yesterday while traders await NVDA earnings tomorrow.

Overseas, the PBOC set the strongest yuan fixing on record overnight which has helped the currency stabilize and that is contributing to risk-on money flows this morning.

There were no other market moving headlines overnight and no notable economic reports were released.

Looking into today’s session, there is one economic report due out in the U.S. this morning: Existing Home Sales (E: 4.160 million) but it is unlikely to impact markets with traders primarily focused on tech so far this week.

There are two Fed speakers today: Barkin (7:15 a.m. ET) and Goolsbee (2:30 p.m. ET) and their commentary could move markets as markets look ahead to Fed Chair Powell’s remarks from Jackson Hole on Friday. Anything that sparks a further rise in Treasury yields could pour cold water on this week’s tech rally which is basically entirely responsible for the week-to-date gains in the broader equity markets.

Pullback or Something More?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Pullback or Something More?
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are slightly higher on better than expected CSCO earnings amidst an otherwise quiet night.

Earnings this week have been solid and that continued with CSCO results overnight (stock up about 3% pre-market) and that’s driving the bounce in futures.

Earlier this week HD, TGT and TJX all posted solid results and the earnings reinforced the $240 2024 S&P 500 earnings expectation (which helps with market valuation).

Today focus will be on economic data and the key reports are:  Jobless Claims (E: 240K), Philly Fed Manufacturing Index  (E: -10) and Leading Indicators (E: -0.4%).

Markets need Goldilocks economic data to stop rising Treasury yields while at the same time further downplaying hard landing worries.  If the data is “Too Hot” yields will rise and stocks will likely fall, while conversely, a sudden drop in activity will increase worries about a hard landing (and likely pressure stocks).  Numbers close to expectations are what investors need to help support stocks.

Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s on August 2nd, 2023

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Stocks Open Lower Amid Fitch Downgrade

“Looking into today’s session, focus will be on the U.S. credit downgrade as investors digest the potential implications on fixed income markets and re-assess valuations of risk assets,” wrote Tom Essaye, founder of the Sevens Report.

Click here to read the full article.

Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s on August 2nd, 2023

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Tech Stocks Lead the Market Lower

Wednesday’s market action is a reminder to investors that stocks can still go down, Tom Essaye, founder of the Sevens Report, said in an interview with Barron’s.

“When you have a market that is essentially pricing in nothing bad happening and all of a sudden you get kind of a surprise – then it’s a reason to sell and I think that’s what we’re seeing today,” Essaye said.

Click here to read the full article.

What’s Causing the Increased Volatility in Stocks?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What’s Causing the Increased Volatility in Stocks?
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Do the Three Pillars of the Rally Stay Intact?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Key Inflation Data This Week (CPI on Thursday)

Futures are rebounding modestly from last week’s declines following a quiet weekend of news and ahead of an important week of inflation data.

Economically, the only notable number was German Industrial Production, which fell more than expected (-1.5% vs. (E.) -0.5%) and again underscored growing recession risks in Europe.

Today the key economic report is the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index (9:00 a.m. ET) as this is viewed as an anecdotal reading on inflation, and markets will want to see a further decline in car prices.

We also get Consumer Credit (E: $13.00B) and there are two Fed speakers, Harker (8:15 a.m. ET) and Bowman (8:30 a.m. ET), and markets will want to see those events reinforce the Goldilocks narrative (solid consumer spending and the Fed basically done with rate hikes).

Jobs Day

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Report Preview (Abbreviated Version)

Futures are slightly higher thanks to good AMZN earnings and solid EU economic data.

AMZN and AAPL, the last two big earnings reports for Q2, were mixed but generally fine. AMZN posted strong results (stock up 8%) while AAPL’s numbers were slightly underwhelming, but nothing terrible (stock down 1%).

Economically, EU data was solid as German Manufacturers’ Orders and EU Retail Sales beat estimates.

Today focus will be on the jobs report and estimates are as follows:  Job Adds, 200k.  Unemployment Rate, 3.6%.  Wages, 0.3% m/m, 4.2% y/y.  The key for markets today is the reaction of the 10-year yield to the jobs report.  If the jobs report is “Too Hot” then 10-year Treasury yield will rise and it’ll likely pressure stocks.  Conversely, if we get a Goldilocks number, then the 10-year yield should fall modestly and stocks can extend this early rally.

What Caused Yesterday’s Selloff? (It Wasn’t the Fitch Downgrade)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Caused Yesterday’s Selloff? (It Wasn’t the Fitch Downgrade)
  • Jobs Report Preview
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are modestly lower following Wednesday’s selloff on more disappointing earnings and mixed economic data.

Economically, the EU Composite PMI slightly missed estimates (48.6 vs. (E) 48.9) as recession worries creep higher.

Tech earnings underwhelmed again, with disappointing results from QCOM and PYPL (both stocks down 7%-ish).

Today will be a busy day of data and earnings.  First, the BOE is set to hike rates 50 bps, but markets will want to see if they signal this is the last hike of the cycle.

Turning to the U.S., there are several important economic reports today including: Jobless Claims (E: 225K), ISM Services PMI (E: 53.0) and Unit Labor Costs (E: 2.6%).  Investors need Goldilocks economic data to help stabilize stocks, and if these reports are stronger than expected, look for Treasury yields to rise and for stocks to fall (like what happened yesterday).

Finally, on earnings, we get results from two of the biggest stocks in the market after the close:  AAPL ($1.19) and AMZN ($0.34).