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CPI Takeaways

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • CPI Takeaways

Stock futures are little changed as Treasuries recover some of yesterday’s losses ahead of more U.S. inflation data and Congressional testimony from Fed Chair Powell today.

Economically, U.K. CPI was above estimates in June but PPI was unexpectedly soft while Eurozone Industrial Production also disappointed, but none of the data from overnight seems to be having a material impact on markets this morning.

Today, there is one more inflation report in the U.S., PPI (E: 0.6% m/m, 6.8% y/y) at 8:30 a.m. ET and then focus will turn to Fed speak with Chair Powell’s semiannual testimony before Congress beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET and Kashkari also speaking at 1:30 p.m. ET.

The start of Q2 earnings season will also remain in focus with notable reports coming from: WFC ($0.97), BAC ($0.78), C ($1.99), DAL (-$1.37), BLK ($9.24), and PNC ($4.22).

Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s on July 12, 2021

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Virgin Galactic Soars, Rocket Cos. Drops, and Stocks Are Mostly Lower

Futures are slightly lower following a very quiet weekend of news as markets wait for…writes Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research. Click here to read the full article.

What Is Happening With the Bond Market?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Is Happening With the Bond Market?

Stock futures are little changed amid a stable bond market this morning following good economic data while focus shifts to the unofficial start of earnings season and the latest consumer inflation report in the U.S.

Economically, the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index came in at 102.5 vs. (E) 99.2 for the month of June.

Today, earnings will come into focus as the big banks kick off the Q2 reporting season. Notable companies releasing results today include: JPM ($3.05), GS ($9.57), PEP ($1.52), and FAST ($0.41).

The latest U.S. inflation data will also be released ahead of the opening bell: CPI (0.5% m/m, 5.0% y/y) while there are several Fed officials scheduled to speak in the afternoon: Bostic (12:00 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. ET), Kashkari (12:45 p.m. ET), Rosengren (2:50 p.m. ET).

Bottom line, the number of influences on equities clearly picks up today and for stocks to hold the latest record highs we will need to see 1) earnings at least meet estimates, 2) CPI data not run “hot,” and 3) Fed chatter remain accommodative and importantly not take a hawkish turn.

 

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An Important Few Weeks for Bonds

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why The Next Few Weeks Are Critical for the Bond Market
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Earnings Season Starts
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Inflation This Week

Futures are slightly lower following a very quiet weekend of news as markets wait for the start of earnings this week along with updated inflation data.

G-20 finance ministers agreed to move forward with a plan for a global minimum tax, but this remains a very, very long way from actual implementation.

China’s reserve requirement ratio cut remained top of the news but it’s unlikely to provide major stimulus and as such it’s not a material bullish catalyst for global stocks.

Today there are no economic reports and just two Fed speakers: Williams (9:30 a.m. ET) and Kashkari (12:00 p.m. ET).  As was the case last week, we expect yields to dictate trading in stocks, so if Treasury yields continue to bounce, stocks should extend Friday’s rally.

Summer Market Events Part 2: The Fed

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Key Summer Market Events for the Fed

Futures are drifting modestly higher following a generally quiet night of news.

Economic data was solid as European Commission Economic Sentiment beat estimates (114.5 vs. (E) 112.1) while the Japanese unemployment rate was in-line with expectations.  But, neither number is moving markets.

Earnings overnight were very strong (especially in the retailers like COST) but questions remain about the sustainability of the results so they aren’t causing a big rally.

Today focus will be on the Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.7% m/m, 3.0% y/y). The market expects and has priced in a strong number, so something slightly above estimates should not cause a hawkish reaction (yields higher/stocks lower).  But, if we see the Core PCE Price Index print close to 4% yoy, that would likely be a headwind on stocks (and push the 10 year yield towards 1.70%).

 

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

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Apple and the Rest of Big Tech Might Be Ready to Rally. Here’s Why.

Considering the pace at which AAPL/AMZN/NFLX/GOOGL and MSFT are growing earnings and the long-term prospects for these companies, valuations are reasonable…writes Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research. Click here to read the full article.

Rising Headline Risk But Fundamentals Still Solid

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Outlook:  Rising Headline Risk But Fundamentals Remain Solid
  • Weekly Market Preview:  A Key Week for Earnings and the Fed Outlook
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Will the Fed Hint at Tapering on Wednesday?

Futures are slightly lower ahead of a busy week and following a generally quiet weekend.

On the vaccine front, the FDA re-approved use of the single-dose JNJ vaccine on Friday, but this was widely expected and as such isn’t an incremental positive.

On infrastructure spending, Dem. Senator Manchin said he doesn’t support passing infrastructure via a reconciliation, which further complicates getting a plan ultimately passed.  But, it’s still very early in the legislative process, and as such, the market will mostly ignore infrastructure headlines for the next several weeks.   If there’s no progress on a compromise by Memorial Day-ish (with actual passage expected around Labor Day-ish), then the market will begin to react to infrastructure headlines.

Today focus will be on Durable Goods (E: 2.0%) and also earnings after hours, with the two key reports being TSLA ($0.78) and NXPI ($2.21).

Are Higher Taxes a Risk to the Rally?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What the Capital Gains Tax Headline Means for Markets

WatFutures are modestly higher thanks to better than expected global economic data.

Economic data was good overnight as global flash manufacturing PMIs beat estimates in Japan (53.3 vs. (E) 52.7), the EU (63.3 vs. (E) 62.3) and the UK (60.7 vs. (E) 59.1).  Additionally, UK Retail Sales also beat expectations (7.2% vs. (E) 4.2%), and in sum the data implies the global economic recovery is gaining momentum (which is a positive).

Today the key report will be the April Flash Composite PMI (E: 59.5), but markets will also be looking for more clarity on proposed tax increases from the Biden administration.  We also get New Home Sales (E: 887K) but that shouldn’t move markets.

On the earnings front, some reports we’re watching today include:  AXP ($1.68), SLB ($0.19), HON ($1.80).

April Economic Breaker Panel: Is the Economy Set to Overheat?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • April Economic Breaker Panel: Is the Economy Set to Overheat?
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Update

Futures are moderately higher following a solid start to earnings season (GS/WFC/ABB/TSMC/LVMH all posted good results) and ahead of a lot of economic data later today.

Speaking of today’s data, the key reports to watch today are (in order of importance):  Jobless Claims (E: 695K), Empire State Manufacturing Index (E: 17.0), Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index (E: 43.0), Retail Sales (E: 5.6%) and Industrial Production (E: 2.8%).  As has been the case, markets will want to see solid activity to imply the economic recovery is on-going, but also no hints of building inflation pressures.

There are also several Fed speakers including Bostic (11:30 a.m. ET), Daly (2:00 p.m. ET) and Mester (4:00 p.m. ET).  Yesterday Vice Chair Clarida got more forcefully dovish, so we’ll see if that sentiment is echoed by other Fed members today.

Finally, earnings season continues to roll on and we get several notable reports this morning including: BAC ($0.65), C ($2.56), TSM ($0.95), PEP ($1.12), UNH ($4.41), DAL (-$2.94), AA ($0.48), PPG ($3.67).

Election Roadmap

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Election Roadmap

Stock futures are rising with global shares this morning as the U.S. election comes into focus after a mostly quiet night of news.

There were no notable economic reports or market-moving COVID-19 developments overnight leaving investors focus almost exclusively on today’s election.

There are two economic reports today: Motor Vehicle Sales (E: 16.5M) and Factory Orders (E: 0.6%) but neither should move markets and no Fed officials are scheduled to speak ahead of this week’s FOMC meeting.

There are a few notable earnings releases to watch today that could influence sector trading: MCK ($3.87), HUM ($2.86), SYY ($0.20), and PRU ($2.69) but none of the quarterly reports are likely to have a significant impact on the broader market.

Today, the election will clearly be in the forefront of investor focus, specifically how close the races in key swing states turn out to be. Ultimately, the markets want clarity, and the main threat to risk assets this week is the emergence of a contested election, so if races are tight enough for campaigns to sue to halt or extend recounts, expect a reversal of this morning’s rally and potentially significant risk-off money flows in the sessions ahead.