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The Markets focus will remain on geopolitical headlines

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Focus will remain on geopolitical headlines: Sevens Report President, Tom Essaye, Quoted in Gulfnews.com

Oil rises, US futures drop on Trump Tehran warning: Markets wrap

“Focus will remain on geopolitical headlines, but as long as the conflict stays limited between Israel and Iran, it’s unlikely to materially impact the markets,” said Tom Essaye at The Sevens Report.

Also, click here to view the full article, published on June 17th, 2025. 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.

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FOMC Meeting Preview

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • FOMC Preview
  • Empire State Manufacturing Survey Takeaways

Futures are lower amid an elevated sense of market uncertainty after President Trump left the G-7 summit early as tensions between Israel and Iran remain elevated.

Economically, Economic Sentiment within the latest German ZEW Survey rose from 25.2 to 47.5 vs. (E) 31.3, however European stocks are trading with a heavy tone amid the elevated geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Today, there are several noteworthy economic reports to watch including: Retail Sales (E: -0.6%), Import & Export Prices (E: -0.3%, -0.1%),  Industrial Production (E: 0.1%), Business Inventories (E: 0.0%), and the Housing Market Index (E: 36).

Beyond the economic data, the June FOMC meeting gets underway today which should prompt a sense of “Fed paralysis” as investors await clarity on the future path of monetary policy.

Finally, there are two late-season earnings releases to watch: JBL ($2.15) and LZB ($0.93) but neither should move the broad markets as focus shifts to the Fed decision.

Why markets appear relatively immune to the negative headlines

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Why markets appear relatively immune to the negative headlines: Sevens Report President, Tom Essaye Quoted in MarketWatch

Why markets are ignoring scary headlines about Iran, trade wars and U.S. debt

Strategist Tom Essaye explained why markets appear relatively immune to the negative headlines in the Sevens Report, his daily market-strategy note.

However, Iran’s military capabilities have been so degraded, Essaye wrote, that Tehran’s ability to respond to Israel’s missile strikes and to counter its overall military superiority is severely inhibited.

According to Essaye, tariff fatigue has caused complacency to set in. There are too many headlines and deadlines for the average investor to follow accurately, and markets now routinely dismiss Trump’s ultimatums as bluff and bluster, as evidenced by the recent coinage “TACO,” or “Trump Always Chickens Out.”

The next significant deadline is July 9, the end of the 90-day pause in the imposition of Trump’s tariffs, and at that time markets may well reassess their current phlegmatic approach. Right now, however, Essaye believes that “markets are so [convinced about] TACO that it’s going to take a sustained tariff increase to shake the belief.”

After recently piercing the 5% level, though, 30-year Treasury bonds have rallied, implying that investors are not yet sufficiently worried about the U.S. fiscal situation to sell off Treasury bonds aggressively, Essaye wrote.

“If the 10-year yield begins to creep towards and through 5.00%, that will be a signal that the global bond markets are starting to worry about the U.S. fiscal situation and at that point, markets will care about deficits and debt, a lot! (and we should expect stocks to be sharply lower),” he said.

Also, click here to view the full MarketWatch article, published on June 16th, 2025. 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.

Why Are Markets Ignoring Scary Headlines?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Are Markets Ignoring Scary Headlines?
  • Weekly Market Preview: Does the Fed Signal Rate Cuts Ahead?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet: Is Consumer Spending Losing Momentum?

Futures are modestly higher as geopolitical risks didn’t rise substantially over the weekend while Chinese economic data was stronger than expected.

Geopolitically, the Israel/Iran conflict escalated as the two countries exchanged attacks over the weekend, but there are no signs it’s spiraling into a broader regional conflict and that’s keeping geopolitical concerns anchored.

Economically, Chinese retail sales rose 6.4% y/y vs. (E) 4.9%, pushing back on concerns of a dramatic slowdown.

Today focus will remain on geo-political headlines but as long as the conflict stays limited between Israel and Iran, it’s unlikely to materially impact the markets.  Outside of geopolitics, the notable report today is the June Empire Manufacturing Survey (-7.3) and markets will want to see stable data and declining prices (further pushing back on stagflation fears).

Bitcoin/Crypto Industry Update

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Bitcoin/Crypto Industry Update
  • Did TACO Just Quietly Break?

Futures are down sharply (more than 1%) following the large-scale Israeli missile attack on Iran.

Israel launched a massive missile attack on Iran overnight, targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities and military leadership.

Market reaction was as expected as global stocks dropped (but not dramatically) and oil and gold rallied hard.

Looking forward, the main risk for markets is this conflict leads to a broader war in the Mid-East although, for now, those risks remain relatively low despite elevated tensions.

Today focus will be on geo-political headlines and any indication the conflict may drag in other nations will be an additional market negative.  Economically, the only notable number is the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment (E: 53.5) and if inflation expectations stay grounded (as they have been) it’ll be the third positive inflation report this week (and it could help stocks recover some of these early losses

What is the Shadow Fed?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What is the Shadow Fed?

Futures are modestly lower as geopolitical concerns offset more strong tech earnings.

Geo-politically, multiple news outlets reported that Israel is preparing for a strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, which is boosting gold prices and weighing on global markets.

Oracle (ORCL) beat earnings on continued robust demand for AI infrastructure (the stock is up 7% pre-market).

Today focus will be on economic data via Jobless Claims (E: 243K) and PPI (E: 0.2% m/m, 2.6% y/y).  Claims have ticked higher in the last few weeks and if that continues, it will slightly increase economic anxiety and (slightly) pressure stocks.  On inflation, PPI is viewed as a loose leading indicator of CPI so if PPI can remain subdued, it’ll boost confidence inflation remains under control.

Finally, notable tech earnings continue today with ADBE ($4.01).

This market is solidly above any fundamental valuation

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This market is solidly above any fundamental valuation: Sevens Report Founder, Tom Essaye Quoted in MarketWatch

Stock-market rally has pushed S&P 500 above ‘fundamental valuation levels’

“This market is solidly above any fundamental valuation and really only justifiable if we assume extremely positive resolution to the numerous risks facing this market and economy,” Tom Essaye, founder and president of Sevens Report Research, said in a note Tuesday. “The S&P 500 at these levels reflects a very optimistic view of how this all works out.”

The stock market faces the risk of tariffs slowing the economy and hurting corporate earnings, as well as concerns about inflation and the U.S. fiscal outlook, according to his note.

“The environment is much better than what was feared in April, but it’s still an environment with several distinct equity market headwinds, especially compared to the start of the year,” said Essaye. “While the rally is legitimate, the S&P 500 is solidly above fundamental valuation levels.”

Also, click here to view the full MarketWatch article, published on June 10th, 2025. 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.

June Market Multiple Table (All About TACO)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • June Market Multiple Table Update – All About “TACO”

Futures are slightly higher this morning as traders remain optimistic about progress in the ongoing U.S.-China trade talks ahead of the May CPI release tomorrow.

Economically, the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose 3 points to 98.8 in May, topping estimates of 95.9 which is supporting modest gains in U.S. equity futures.

There are no additional economic reports today and no Fed officials are scheduled to speak which limits potential catalysts to today’s Treasury auctions which include 6-Week and 52-Week Bill auctions at 11:30 a.m. ET and a (more important) 3-Yr Note auction at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Late season earnings continue to trickle in as well with: ASO ($0.84), SJM ($2.25), UNFI ($0.24), GME ($0.08), and PLAY ($0.96) all due to report Q1 results today.

Bottom line, today is lining up to be fairly quiet as far as scheduled catalysts are concerned. However, any materially positive or negative trade talk headlines out of London where U.S. and Chinese negotiations remain underway, could meaningfully move markets today before focus turns to tomorrow’s critical May CPI release.

NYSE Opens Mixed as Investors Await Jobs Data, Watch for New Risks

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Tom Essaye warns a quiet tape could turn quickly on negative surprises

NYSE starts mixed as it awaits employment data

PROFIT-TAKING RISK LOOMS IF NEW MACRO HEADLINES HIT A SOFT MARKET

U.S. markets opened mixed Thursday, with investors awaiting fresh employment data and watching global headlines for any surprises.

A lack of response from China on a potential US-China leadership call and a downgraded economic outlook from the OECD added to the cautious tone.

According to Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research, markets may drift today—but that calm could change quickly.

“Today is likely to be a relatively quiet day… but if negative news emerges, there is a risk of profit-taking.”
— Tom Essaye, Sevens Report

Following May’s sharp rebound, traders appear hesitant to push further without new catalysts, leaving the market exposed to headline-driven pullbacks.

Also, click here to view the full Bloomingbit article, published on June 3rd, 2025. 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.

Jobs Day

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Report Preview (Abbreviated)
  • Jobless Claims Show Potential Cracks Emerging in Labor Market
  • Productivity and Costs Point to Sticky Wage Inflation
  • Collapsing Trade Deficit Reveals Significant Tariff Impact on Trade

Futures are modestly higher this morning as TSLA shares (+4%) are recovering some of yesterday’s heavy losses amid prospects of a Trump-Musk call today while economic data was solid overnight ahead of today’s jobs report.

Economically, Eurozone GDP rose +1.5% y/y in Q1 vs. (E) +1.3% while Retail Sales rose +2.3% vs. (E) +1.0% y/y. Both data points support the case for ongoing resilience and bolster prospects for a soft economic landing in the EU.

Market will be primarily focused on the May BLS Employment Situation Report this morning at 8:30 a.m. ET (E: 129K Job-Adds, 4.2% Unemployment Rate, 3.7% Wage Growth).

From there focus will shift to the financial news headlines as traders look for additional insight on trade negotiations, particularly talks between the U.S. and both Europe and China, however there is a “second tiered” economic release in the afternoon with Consumer Credit (E: $10.2B) due out at 3:00 p.m. ET.

Finally, two late season earnings releases to watch today are ABM ($0.87) and MANU ($-0.33) but neither is likely to meaningfully move markets with the focus on the May jobs report.