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The Trump administration has seriously backtracked on the April 2 announcement

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The Trump administration has seriously backtracked on the April 2 announcement: Tom Essaye Quoted in MarketWatch

Why the stock rally may be in trouble after the White House ‘backtracked’ on tariffs

The U.S. stock market has already priced in backtracking on the large and sweeping “liberation day” tariffs announced by President Donald Trump on April 2, making it difficult for the market to keep up its recent rally, according to Sevens Report Research.

“The Trump administration has seriously backtracked on the April 2 announcement, including a delay while negotiations take place and exempting major categories of imports,” said Tom Essaye, founder and president of Sevens Report Research, in a note Monday. As an example of tariff exemptions, Essaye pointed to computer chips, electronics, pharmaceuticals and automobiles.

“The reality of the past month post-‘liberation day’ hasn’t been as bad as feared and the market has recouped those losses,” said Essaye. “However, I do not think these events are enough to sustainably propel the S&P 500 forward and I am sticking to my general 5,100-5,500-ish range.”

Investors, worried that large tariffs will place a drag on the U.S. economy while increasing the cost of goods for consumers, have been monitoring the White House’s negotiations with its trading partners. But with backtracking on tariffs already priced into the market, Essaye cautioned that “we could even see a ‘sell-the-news’ move once some trade deals are announced.”

Also, click here to view the full article featured on MarketWatch published on May 5th, 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 Day
  • Will “Sell in May and Go Away” Work This Year?
  • Interesting Signal from the VIX

Futures are modestly higher as positive trade comments from China offset disappointing earnings overnight.

China’s Commerce Ministry issued a statement saying it was potentially open to trade talks with the U.S., stoking speculation that trade negotiations will begin soon.

Earnings overnight were soft as AAPL (down 3% pre-market) and AMZN (-1.3% pre-market) both disappointed.

Today focus will be on the jobs report and expectations are as follows:  130K Job-Adds, 4.2% Unemployment Rate, 3.9% y/y Wage Growth.  Put simply, the stronger this number, the better, as it’s almost impossible that it’ll come in too hot while a strong number (ideally with tame wages) will push back on stagflation fears.

On earnings, the peak of the season is now behind us (on balance it’s been better than feared) but there are a few notable reports to watch today: XOM ($1.74), CI ($6.39), CVX ($2.15).

Jobs Report Preview: Recession Risks Rising?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Report Preview: Recession Risks Rising?

Futures are sharply higher on strong earnings overnight.

META (up 6% pre-market) and MSFT (up 9% pre-market) both beat estimates and posted strong guidance and that’s helping futures rally.

Economically, the only notable report was UK Manufacturing PMI, which beat estimates (45.4 vs. (E) 44.0).

Today will be an important day for economic data and earnings.  On the data front, the two key reports today are Jobless Claims (E: 221K) and the ISM Manufacturing PMI (E: 47.9).  The stronger these reports are, the better for stocks as they’ll push back on slowdown fears.

On the earnings front, AMZN ($1.35) and AAPL ($1.61) are the most important reports (both after the close) but there are several other notable earnings as well: LLY ($3.52), CVS ($1.67), MA ($3.57).

Contrarian Indicator: Sentiment & Confidence Hit Historic Lows

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Consumer and Investors Haven’t Been This Negative in Well Over a Decade (Contrarian Indicator)
  • JOLTS Takeaways – Labor Market Shows Signs of Deterioration
  • Consumer Expectations Plunge Due to Bleak Outlook

Stock futures are lower as weak tech-sector earnings offset mostly positive economic data overnight.

SMCI (-16% premarket) missed on earnings and lowered 2025 guidance which is weighing on big-tech stocks this morning, dragging the broader market lower in the pre-market.

Economically, China’s Manufacturing PMI beat estimates while Eurozone GDP was inline.

Today, there is a slew of economic data to watch early in the day including the ADP Employment Report (E: 125K), Q1 GDP (E: 0.2%), Chicago PMI (E: 45.8), Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.1% m/m, 2.6% y/y), and Pending Home Sales (E: 1.0%).

The Core PCE Price Index will be the key figure to watch as it is the Fed’s preferred inflation measure and a hot print could add to worries about the Fed’s ability to achieve their dual-mandate with growing inflation risks and declining growth metrics in 2025.

In the afternoon, focus will shift to earnings as several mega-cap tech companies are due to report earnings after the close including: MSFT ($3.20), META ($5.22), QCOM ($2.27) as well as other non-tech companies HUM ($9.98) and CAT ($4.30).

How much economic damage have tariffs done?

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How much economic damage have tariffs done?: Tom Essaye Quoted in MarketWatch

Is the stock market overvalued? Investors look for ‘economic damage’ from tariffs

Investors are hoping trade deals that reduce tariffs may be announced soon, which would help inform whether the U.S. stock market is currently overvalued, according to Tom Essaye, founder and president of Sevens Report Research.

“‘How much economic damage have tariffs done?’ is one of the most important questions for investors right now because if the answer is ‘a lot,’ then this market is still substantially overvalued,” Essaye said in a note Monday. “If the answer is ‘not too much’ and tariff reduction occurs, then the case can be made for a sustainable rally (as long as we get consistent policy).”

Also, click here to view the full article featured on MarketWatch published on April 28th, 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.

Is Silver Set to Breakout?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is Silver Set to Breakout?

Futures are modestly weaker on digestion of this week’s rally and on mildly disappointing trade news.

Chinese officials stated there were no ongoing trade talks with the U.S. and again called for the removal of tariffs, pushing back on the “progress” narrative of the past few days.

Focus today will be on economic data and earnings.  On the data front, the key reports today include Durable Goods (E: 1.4%), Jobless Claims (E: 220K) and Existing Home Sales (E: 4.12 million) and if this “hard” data remains solid it will push back against slowdown concerns.    There is also one Fed speaker, Kashkari (5:00 p.m. ET), but he shouldn’t move markets.

On earnings, the key reports today include GOOGL ($2.02), INTC ($-0.14) and PG ($1.54).  For GOOGL and INTC, guidance will be key while investors will wait to see the impact of tariffs on PG’s quarter.

Trump Attacking Powell Is a Potentially Large Negative

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Trump Attacking Powell Is a Potentially Large Negative
  • Chart – Dollar Index’s 10% YTD Decline Underscores U.S. Policy Uncertainty

Equity futures are solidly higher in pre-market trade as investor focus shifts from political tensions to earnings as we approach the peak of the Q1 reporting season.

There were no noteworthy economic reports overnight and there is just one lesser-followed economic report due out in the U.S. today: Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index (E: -5.0) which is unlikely to materially move markets.

There are several Fed officials scheduled to speak today including Jefferson (9:00 a.m. ET), Harker (9:30 a.m. ET), Kashkari (1:40 p.m. ET), and Barkin (2:30 p.m. ET). Given Trump’s recent attacks on Powell’s Fed leadership, their comments have the potential to trigger risk-on or risk-off money flows in intraday trade today.

In the afternoon, there is a 2-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET. Because the 2-Yr is viewed as a “policy-rate-sensitive” Treasury security, the level of demand for the Notes could lead to yield swings that could ultimately impact the stock market.

Finally, earnings season is in full swing this week with notable quarterly results due from VZ ($1.15), GE ($1.26), LMT ($6.32), TSLA ($0.35), and COF ($3.70) today. There will be particular focus on guidance, forecasts, and commentary from leadership as forward earnings expectations have both deteriorated and become increasingly uncertain since the start of the year.

Why Powell Caused Stocks to Drop

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Powell Caused Stocks to Drop

Futures are moderately higher on positive trade headlines and strong tech earnings.

President Trump posted on social media that “Big Progress” has been made in a trade deal with Japan and that’s helping stocks rally (although details were light).

On earnings, TSM beat earnings and boosted guidance and provided some needed good news for the tech sector.

Today there are several economic reports including, on order of importance, Jobless Claims (E: 225K), Philly Fed (E: 6.7) and Housing Starts (1.420M).  As has been the case, markets will be looking for solid data that pushed back on the slowdown narrative.  We also have one Fed speaker, Barr (11:45 a.m. ET), but he shouldn’t move markets.

Earnings season continues to heat up, meanwhile, and important reports today include UNH ($7.27), AXP ($3.46) and NFLX ($5.74).

MMT Chart: A Rare Oversold Condition

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Table Chart:  A Rare Oversold Condition

Futures are moderately lower (down around 1%) as investors take profits following Wednesday’s massive rally.

There was no new tariff or trade news overnight and investors digested the good news/bad news of no punitive global reciprocal tariffs (positive) but still-in-place 125% tariffs on China and 10% tariffs on most U.S. imports (negative).

Today focus will turn back towards economic data and the two key reports are CPI (E: 0.1% m/m, 2.6% y/y) and Jobless Claims (E: 225K).  A weaker than expected CPI and lower than expected jobless claims will push back against stagflation concerns and help stocks potentially extend yesterday’s rebound.

Turning to the Fed, there are multiple speakers today but they are unlikely to move markets (the Fed is in “wait and see” mode like the rest of us).  Speakers today include:  Barkin (8:30 a.m. ET), Logan (9:30 a.m. ET), Schmid & Bowman (10:00 a.m. ET), Goolsbee & Harker (12:00 p.m. ET).

April Market Multiple Table Update

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • April Market Multiple Table Update
  • Chart – March Small Business Optimism Turns Sharply Lower

Futures are recovering from overnight losses as investors await China’s reaction to the latest wave of tariffs that went into effect overnight amid otherwise quiet news flow.

Economically, there were no market-moving reports overnight, however the Reserve Bank of New Zealand did cut their policy rate by 25 bp (3.75%), meeting expectations.

There are no notable economic reports today which will leave investors largely focused on trade war developments and tariff headlines today.

Outside of tariff news, traders will be watching a 10-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET as well as the March FOMC meeting minutes which will be release at 2:00 p.m. ET.

Finally, there is one Fed officials scheduled to speak: Barkin (12:30 p.m. ET). Any less discouraging commentary will be welcomed by markets today.