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Why Today’s CPI Is So Important (Hint: 50, 25, 0)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Today’s CPI Is So Important (Hint: 50, 25, 0)
  • Gold Chart: Fragile Record Highs

Futures are flat as traders look ahead to today’s all-important CPI report.

Economically, the U.K.’s Unemployment Rate held steady at 4.7%, as expected, while the German ZEW Survey missed estimates, but the July NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose to 100.3 vs. (E) 98.9 from 98.6 in June.

Today, market focus will be almost exclusively on inflation data before the bell with CPI (E: 0.2% m/m, 2.8% y/y) and Core CPI (E: 0.3% m/m, 3.0% y/y) due out at 8:30 a.m. ET.

After the open, there are two Fed officials scheduled to speak: Barkin (10:00 a.m. ET) and Schmid (10:30 a.m. ET), and any comments or insights they may offer in reaction to the CPI data could move markets.

Finally, earnings season continues to wind down but there are a handful of companies due to report quarterly results today which could move markets, including: CAH ($2.03), SE ($0.72), RGTI ($-0.05), HRB ($2.81), CRCL ($-1.29), and ETOR ($0.49).

 

MMT Chart: A “Relatively” Different Look at Stocks

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • August MMT Chart Update: A “Relatively” Different Look at Stocks
  • ISM Services Index – A Fresh “Whiff” of Stagflation
  • Stagflation Risks Set Gold Up for Run to Record Highs

Futures are tracking global markets higher this morning as investors shrug off both the ISM Services Index from yesterday, which carried a whiff of stagflation, and soft earnings from semiconductor giants AMD (-7%) and SMCI (-17%) after the close yesterday.

Economically, EU Retail Sales rose 3.1% vs. (E) 2.6% which is serving to tamp down worries about the health of the global economy.

Looking ahead to today’s session, there are no noteworthy economic reports due to be released.

However, the Treasury will hold a 4-Month Bill auction at 11:30 a.m. ET and a 10-Yr Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET and investors will look for the recent trend of healthy demand metrics to continue, despite the sharp drop in yields since Friday’s dismal jobs report.

Additionally, there are a few Fed officials scheduled to speak who could shed light on the prospects of a September rate cut (which is increasingly expected) including Cook & Collins (2:00 p.m. ET) and Daly (3:10 p.m. ET).

Finally, earnings season continues with MCD ($3.15), UBER ($0.62), SHOP ($0.20), DIS ($1.47), NRG ($1.54), ABNB ($0.93), and ET ($0.32) all reporting quarterly results today.

For now, investors are overlooking the soft semiconductor earnings from late yesterday, however, any Q2 results that challenge the idea that the consumer remains resilient and healthy in 2025, could add to recession worries and pressure stocks again today.

 

Market Multiple Table: August Update

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • August Market Multiple Table: How Much Deterioration Has Occurred?

U.S. futures are higher thanks to good economic data overseas and solid tech earnings with PLTR up 6% premarket after topping estimates and raising guidance.

Economically, China’s Services PMI unexpectedly rose from 50.6 to 52.6 vs. (E) 50.4, helping ease global growth concerns which surged following Friday’s downbeat U.S. jobs report.

Today, focus will be on economic data early with International Trade in Goods (E: $-61.5B) and the ISM Services PMI (E: 51.5) due to be released.

From there, focus will turn to the bond market as the Treasury will hold 4-Week & 52-Week Bill auctions at 11:30 a.m. ET and a 3-Yr Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET, all of which could shed light on investors’ outlook for Fed policy rates in the near-term.

Finally, earnings season continues with PFE ($0.58), CAT ($4.88), BP ($0.68), AMD ($0.28), AMGN ($5.26), SMCI ($0.35), and AFL ($1.71). Near all-time highs, this market will want to see continued strength in both Q2 results, as well as forward guidance in order for the rebound from last week’s pullback to gain momentum.

 

Credit Spreads Are More Elevated Than You Think

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Credit Spreads: More Elevated Than You Think
  • Case-Shiller Home Price Index Points to Cooling Inflation
  • JOLTS Decline But Top Estimates

Futures are modestly higher this morning as traders digest yesterday’s pullback ahead of today’s Fed decision.

Economically, Eurozone GDP rose +1.4% y/y vs. (E) +1.2% which is supporting the tentative risk-on price action this morning.

Today, focus will be on economic data early with the ADP Employment Report (E: 75K), Advanced Q2 GDP (E: 2.5%),  and Pending Home Sales (E: 0.2%) all due to be released.

Attention will then turn to the Fed meeting with the FOMC Announcement at 2:00 p.m. ET and Fed Chair Powell’s Press Conference at 2:30 p.m. ET with traders most focused on the prospects of a September rate cut.

Finally, earnings season continues as well and the following companies results have the potential to move markets, particularly the Mag-7 names reporting today: KHC ($0.64), HUM ($6.32), META ($5.83), MSFT ($3.35), CVNA ($1.10), QCOM ($2.72), ADP ($2.22), HOOD ($0.31).

 

FOMC Preview: Wildcard to Watch

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • FOMC Preview: What’s Expected, Hawkish Scenario, Dovish Scenario
  • Fed Meeting Wildcard to Watch: Dovish Dissents

U.S. equity futures are tracking European shares higher this morning amid continued optimism surrounding the U.S.-EU trade deal and resilient earnings ahead of the Fed decision.

There were no noteworthy economic reports overnight which will leave focus on earnings and U.S. economic data today as the July Fed meeting gets underway in Washington.

Today’s economic calendar is a fairly busy one with several potential market-moving reports due to be released including: Consumer Confidence (E: 95.8), JOLTS (E: 7.4 million), Case-Shiller Home Price Index (E: 2.9%), and International Trade in Goods (E: $-99.0B).

Looking at earnings, the Q2 reporting season continues with notable companies releasing results today including: UNH ($4.84), SOFI ($0.06), BA ($-1.54), PG ($1.43), V ($2.86), MRK ($2.01), SBUX ($0.64).

Bottom line, investors will continue to look for resilient, yet not “too hot” economic data trends and upbeat earnings and guidance in order for stocks to hold yesterday’s record highs, however a familiar sense of “Fed Paralysis” is likely to grip markets ahead of tomorrow’s critical Fed decision.

 

Stablecoin Primer: Why Last Week’s Legislation Was Important

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Stablecoin Primer:  Why Last Week’s Legislation Was Important

Futures are little changed following a night of mixed earnings followed by more mixed economic data.

The EU July flash PMI slightly beat estimates (51.0 vs. (E) 50.9) while the UK reading missed (51.0 vs. (E) 51.7) but both numbers were above 50 and signaling expansion.

On earnings, GOOGL posted solid numbers (up 3% pre-market) while TSLA underwhelmed (down 6% pre-market).

Today focus will turn towards economic data and there are two notable reports to watch: Jobless Claims (E: 225K) and the Flash Manufacturing PMI (E: 52.7).  If both reports are solid, look for the rally to continue driven by cyclical sectors, as investors embrace a potentially re-accelerating economy.  We also get New Home Sales (E: 650K), although that shouldn’t move markets.

On earnings, the season remains “fine” so far.  Key reports we’re watching today include: INTC ($0.14), AAL ($0.79) and BX ($1.10).

 

Why Markets Continue to Ignore Macro Risks

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Markets Continue to Ignore Macro Risks
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Focus Turns to Earnings (Including Major Tech Names)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Flash PMIs Thursday is the Big Report This Week

Futures are modestly higher mostly on momentum following a generally quiet weekend of news.

There were no notable trade headlines over the weekend and markets are still awaiting any progress on trade deals with the EU, India and Japan.

Economically, there were no notable international reports overnight.

Today there is only one economic report, Leading Indicators (E: -0.2%), and it shouldn’t move markets.

Instead, focus today and this week will be on earnings and specifically the commentary from CEOs on the consumer and economy.  Some reports we’re watching today include: NXPI ($2.29), VZ ($1.18), DPZ ($3.93), CLF ($-0.67), CCK ($1.86).

 

A New Type of Research Offering

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • A New Type of Research from Sevens Report – Introducing “Special Reports”
  • Economic Takeaways – CPI and Empire State Manufacturing Tamp Down Dovish Policy Hopes
  • Why September Rate Cut Odds Are Receding (Slightly)

Futures are little changed while there is a tentative bid in the bond market as investors continue to digest the June CPI release and look ahead to more earnings today.

Economically, U.K. CPI rose +0.2% to 3.6% y/y vs. (E) 3.4% which is bolstering the pound and weighing modestly on the dollar index this morning as well as capping a rebound in bonds.

Looking into today’s session, the second important inflation print of the week is due to be released before the bell with PPI (E: 0.2% m/m, 2.5% y/y), and Core PPI (E: 0.2% m/m, 2.7% y/y) scheduled for 8:30 a.m. ET while Industrial Production (E: 0.1%) will be released at 9:15 a.m. ET.

A busy week of Fed speak also continues with multiple officials delivering remarks today including Barkin (8:00 a.m. ET), Hammack (9:15 a.m. ET), and Barr (10:00 a.m. ET).

The market will be looking for any signs of “cooler” inflation or modest slowing in growth to rekindle September rate cut hopes which would offer fresh support for the equity market rally.

Finally, earnings season continues with multiple notable companies releasing quarter results today including ASML ($5.94), BAC ($0.86), GS ($9.43), MS ($1.93), JNJ ($2.66), PGR ($4.30), UAL ($3.86), and KMI ($0.28).

Stock Vigilantes May Push Back If Trump Escalates Tariffs Says Tom Essaye

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Sevens Report warns equity markets won’t tolerate unchecked trade risks

‘Stock vigilantes’ could rebel against Trump’s tariffs: Sevens Report

WALL STREET MAY SOON SEND A MESSAGE IF TARIFF THREATS TURN TO ACTION

So far, investors have largely shrugged off Trump’s tariff rhetoric, assuming he won’t follow through on aggressive trade threats.

But according to Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research, that complacency may soon fade if tariffs actually hit.

“It’s possible that stock vigilantes could appear… If Trump views the new highs in stocks as a ‘green light’ to escalate the trade war, it may well have to decline to remind the administration…”

Essaye argues that the U.S. economy can absorb around 10% aggregate tariffs, but anything more could threaten a return to stagflation-like conditions.

The term “stock vigilantes” borrows from “bond vigilantes”—investors who sell U.S. debt in protest of fiscal mismanagement. This time, equities could become the market’s way of saying “enough.”

Also, click here to view the full article published in MarketWatch on July 14th, 2025. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

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A Tale of Three Markets (And Playbooks for Each)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • A Tale of Three Markets (And Playbooks for Each)

Stock futures rallied to fresh all-time highs overnight thanks to news the U.S. government will ease restrictions on chip sales to China, specifically some of NVDA’s more powerful AI-chips as CPI data and big bank earnings loom.

There are a slew of potential market catalysts this morning starting with inflation data as CPI (E: 0.3% m/m, 2.7% y/y) and Core CPI (E: 0.3% m/m, 3.0% y/y) data for June will be released ahead of the bell along with one of the first July economic reports, the Empire State Manufacturing Index (-10.0).

Investors will be looking for data that pushes back on stagflation or hard landing scenarios to keep the stock rally going.

Additionally, there are multiple Fed officials scheduled to speak including Bowman (9:15 a.m. ET), Barr (12:45 p.m. ET), Barkin 1:00 p.m. ET), and Collins (2:45 p.m. ET). The market will be looking for positive economic commentary and/or hints of a potential rate cut this month.

Finally, today also marks the unofficial start to Q2 earnings season with several big banks and other noteworthy U.S. companies reporting results including: JPM ($4.51), C ($1.61), BLK ($10.78), WFC ($1.41), BK ($1.74), STT ($2.36), JBHT ($1.34). The stronger the corporate results, the better as strong earnings growth is priced in for the year ahead with equities trading at current levels.