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Jobs Report Preview

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Report Preview
  • Why Surging EU HICP Matters to Us
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are sharply lower following a big earnings miss by Facebook (FB was down 20% after hours).

FB posted disappointing margins and guidance and the steep decline in the stock is pulling futures lower.

EU and UK Composite PMIs were mixed as the EU reading slightly missed while the UK PMI beat estimates, although neither number is moving markets.

Today will be a busy day.  First, we get two central bank announcements (BOE at 7:00 a.m. and ECB at 7:45 a.m.).  The BOE is expected to hike rates 25 basis points and while there’s no change expected to ECB policy if Lagarde is hawkish at her press conference that will add to the earnings-inspired declines.

We also get some notable economic data, including the ISM Services PMI (E: 59.9), Jobless Claims (E: 250K), and Productivity and Costs (E: 2.4%, 1.7%) and as has been the case, markets will crave stability to ward off stagflation fears.

Finally, on the earnings front, AMZN ($3.88) after the close is the big report today.  Of the super cap tech stocks, we’re had some good reports (AAPL/MSFT/GOOGL) and some bad reports (NFLX/FB), and markets need AMZN to land in the former.  Beyond AMZN, some other reports we’ll be watching include: MRK ($1.52), LLY ($2.51), COP ($2.20), HON ($2.08),  SNAP ($0.10), and F ($0.43).

Market Multiple Levels: S&P 500 Chart

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Levels: S&P 500 Chart

Futures are solidly higher this morning after more strong tech earnings as investor focus shifts to January jobs data.

Q4 results from GOOGL and AMD handily beat estimates, sending both stocks higher by more than 10% overnight.

Economically, the Eurozone HICP Flash rose to 5.1% vs. (E) 4.3% which is rekindling some global inflation concerns.

Today, there are no Fed speakers on the calendar which will leave the focus on economic data including: the ADP Employment Report (E: 225K) and Motor Vehicle Sales (E: 12.6 million).

On the earnings front, we hear from: ABBV ($3.28), MPC ($0.47), TMO ($5.22), and CHRW ($1.85) before the open and FB ($3.78), QCOM ($3.00) and TMUS ($0.16) after the close.

Fed officials have been talking down the January jobs report so far this week, so if today’s ADP report comes in hot, that could cause another wave of hawkish money flows and equity volatility while the prospect of more upbeat tech earnings could see this week’s relief rally continue.

Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s on January 21, 2022

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Netflix Tumbled, Bitcoin Slipped—and What Else Happened in the Stock Market Today

Several companies cited higher costs as impacting profitability, furthering margin concerns…wrote Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research. Click here to read the full article.

Early Earnings Season Takeaways

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Early Earnings Season Takeaways

Futures are modestly higher as China made two surprise interest rate cuts overnight, helping stocks bounce from Wednesday’s late-day declines.

China’s central bank made two small surprise interest rate cuts overnight which helped Asian stocks rally (Hang Seng up 3%) and that’s pushing U.S. futures higher.

Today focus will be on economic data and earnings, and for stocks to extend the early morning rebound we need to see stable data and solid earnings (meaning no extreme cost pressures).  Economically, the key report today is the  Philly Fed Manufacturing Index (E: 19.1).  If it suddenly plunges as Empire did on Tuesday, that will slightly increase anxiety about the economy.  We’ll also be watching Jobless Claims (E: 207K) and Existing Home Sales (E: 6.40M).

On the earnings front, the key report today is NFLX ($0.82) after the close, but we’ll also be watching:  AAL (-$1.54), TRV ($3.86), UNP ($2.60), CSX ($0.41) and PPG ($1.19).  If margins are much weaker than expected, look for more earnings-related volatility.

Why Stocks Dropped Yesterday (It Wasn’t CPI)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Stocks Dropped Yesterday (It Wasn’t CPI)
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are enjoying a mild bounce following Wednesday’s losses as global yields are stable while U.S. bond markets are closed.

10 year Bund and GILT yields are little changed and that, combined with the bond market closure in the U.S., is allowing stocks to rebound.

Economically, British IP missed estimates (-0.4% vs. (E) 0.1%) while monthly GDP slightly beat (0.6% vs. (E) 0.5%).

Today is Veterans Day and as such, the bond markets are closed and there will be no economic reports and no Fed speakers.  So, GILT and Bund yields will partially dictate trading and as long as they don’t rise, stocks can continue this early rebound from yesterday’s losses.

Near-Term Macro Calm (But Risks Building for 2022)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Near Term Macro Calm (But Risks Building for 2022)
  • Weekly Market Preview (Risks of An Accelerated Taper?)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet (Key Inflation Data This Week)

Futures are little changed following a quiet weekend outside of the passage of the physical infrastructure bill.

On Friday the House passed the physical infrastructure bill but it’s only $550 billion of new spending over 10 years, and that’s not going to have a big impact on the economy.

The broader $1.75 trillion spending bill remains under debate as Democrat infighting continues, but a deal is expected by year-end.

Today there are no economic reports, but there are numerous Fed speakers and the market will be looking for insight into the possibility of an accelerated taper beyond December.  Powell (10:30 a.m.) is the headliner today but he’s only making opening remarks and shouldn’t offer any insights on policy.  Vice Chair Clarida (9:00 a.m.) will speak on policy, so his interview is probably the most important one to watch today.  Other Fed speakers include Montgomery (10:00 a.m.), Harker (12:00 p.m.) and Evans (1:50 p.m.) but they shouldn’t move markets.

FOMC Preview

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • FOMC Preview
  • ISM Manufacturing Index – Takeaways

U.S. futures are trading slightly lower along with most overseas markets following mostly inline economic data and a less-hawkish-than-feared RBA meeting outcome.

The RBA struck a slightly dovish tone in their latest meeting announcement, especially with regard to inflation, which is pressuring bond yields this morning.

Today is lining up to be a fairly slow day with just one economic data point due out: Motor Vehicle Sales (E: 12.4M) while the focus will begin to shift to the November FOMC meeting which begins this morning.

There is a 52-Week Treasury Bill auction at 11:30 a.m. ET and while it is not typically a widely followed auction, the results could shed new light on investor expectations for rate hikes next year, and therefore could impact markets ahead of tomorrow’s Fed announcement.

Lastly, earnings season remains in full swing with several notable results due out today from: PFE ($1.08), UAA ($0.15), COP ($1.53), ZG ($0.16), TMUS ($0.54), LYFT (-$-0.04), PGR ( $1.09).

ECB Decision Takeaways (Not as Dovish as Hoped)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • ECB Decision Takeaways (Not as Dovish as Hoped)

Futures are moderately lower following disappointing AAPL and AMZN earnings combined with hotter than expected headline inflation from Europe.

On earnings, AAPL and AMZN both underwhelmed investors and those stocks fell 3% and 5% after hours and the sheer weight of those names in the S&P 500 is weighing on the entire index.

On inflation, EU HICP rose to 4.1% vs. (E) 3.7%, a nearly 20-year high.

Focus today will be on inflation, as we get the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge via the Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.2%, 3.7%) and the Employment Cost Index (E: 0.9%).  Both numbers will be high, but markets will want to see hints of a plateau in inflation.  We also get Consumer Sentiment (E: 71.4) and the inflation expectations component will also be closely monitored.

On the earnings front, focus will be on the following results: XOM ($1.57), CVX ($2.21), CL ($0.79).

What’s Happening With the Yield Curve (Updated)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What’s Happening With the Yield Curve (Updated)
  • Oil Market Update and EIA Analysis

Futures are marginally higher on solid earnings, supply chain optimism, and dovish central bank commentary.

Ford (F) posted solid earnings and importantly made positive comments about semi-conductor supply (which has been echoed by numerous companies this quarter).  If we see semiconductor supply improve that will be a large positive for the entire supply chain and take some pressure off inflation.

The Bank of Japan made dovish commentary and reminded markets that not all central banks are getting less dovish (and we may hear that sentiment echoed from the ECB later this morning).

Today the key macro event is the ECB Decision (7:45 a.m. ET) and while the market does not expect any changes to QE or rates, it does expect President Lagarde to reinforce the ECB isn’t going to tighten policy anytime soon.  We also get some notable economic data including Advanced Q3 GDP (E: 2.7%), Jobless Claims (E: 290K), and Pending Home Sales (E: 1.7%) although unless there is a major surprise those reports shouldn’t move markets.

Finally, on the earnings front, today is arguably the single most important day of earnings season as we have two of the biggest stocks in the market, AAPL ($1.24), AMZN ($9.10), reporting after the close.  Other reports we’re watching include: MA ($2.18), CAT ($2.26), MRK ($1.54), SBUX ($1.00), and X ($4.85).

Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s on October 25, 2021

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S&P 500, Dow Notch Record Highs Ahead of Tech Earnings

Companies have cited margin issues and supply chain disruptions, but so far managements have…wrote Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research. Click here to read the full article.