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What Would Cause the Fed to Cut Rates Again? (Two Answers)

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What Would Cause the Fed to Cut Rates Again? (Two Answers): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Would Cause the Fed to Cut Rates Again? (Two Answers)

Futures are modestly higher despite mixed tech earnings.

TSLA (up 3% pre-market) and META (up 1% pre-market) results were “fine” while MSFT disappointed (MSFT down  4% pre-market) but none of the results were surprising enough to impact the broader tech sector.

Today will be a busy day of economic data and earnings including, in order of importance, the ECB Rate Decision (E: 25 bps cut), Jobless Claims (E: 224K), Advanced Q4 GDP (E: 2.7%) and Pending Home Sales (E: 0.4%).  And, following yesterday’s Fed meeting, it remains the case that in-line to slightly weak results are the “best” case for stocks as they imply solid growth but keep rate cut expectations stable.

On earnings, the key results today include: AAPL ($2.36), INTC ($0.12), V ($2.66), UPS ($2.52), MA ($3.68), CAT ($4.97).

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FOMC Preview (Good, Bad, and Ugly Scenarios)

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FOMC Preview (Good, Bad, and Ugly Scenarios): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • FOMC Preview – What’s Expected, Hawkish-If, Dovish-If Scenarios
  • December Durable Goods Orders Takeaways (Goldilocks)
  • NVDA Chart – An Ominous Technical Setup

Stock futures are slightly higher ahead of today’s Fed decision as global bond markets remain steady on the back of some favorable inflation metrics overnight.

Economically, Australian CPI fell from 2.8% to 2.4% vs. (E) 2.6% in Q4’24 and Eurozone M3 Money Supply rose 3.5% Y/Y vs. (E) 4.0%, both of which helped ease inflation fears.

There are no economic reports today leaving market focus on the FOMC Decision (2:00 p.m. ET) and Powell’s Press Conference (2:30 p.m. ET). As today’s Fed preview details, a hawkish outcome that sends yields higher could cause a painful selloff in equities.

Today is also the first day of big tech earnings with TSLA ($0.75), META ($6.90), MSFT ($3.12), and IBM ($3.74) all due to report quarterly results after the close. Expectations are already optimistic for 2025 so any disappointment could pressure stocks in after-hours trading regardless of the initial reaction to the Fed announcement.

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Were Tariff Fears Exaggerated? (No. Two Reasons Why)

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Were Tariff Fears Exaggerated? (No. Two Reasons Why): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Were Tariff Fears Exaggerated? (No. Two Reasons Why)

Futures are slightly lower following a major central bank rate hike and despite better-than-expected economic data.

The Bank of Japan raised interest rates 25 bps, as expected, and signaled further rate hikes are coming (also as expected).

Economically, Euro Zone and UK Manufacturing PMIs slightly beat estimates but both remained in contraction territory.

Today we get the most important economic reports of the week via the January Flash Manufacturing PMI (E: 48.9) and Flash Services PMI (E: 56.7) and again, markets will want to see in-line to slightly soft data.  Stronger than expected readings would likely boost yields and pressure stocks.  Other economic reports today include Existing Home Sales (E: 4.16 million) and Consumer Sentiment (E: 73.2).

Turning to earnings, the key report I’m watching today is AXP ($3.03) as that will give us insight into consumer spending and the stronger the report, the better.

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What Happens to Markets If the Bond Vigilantes Return?

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What Happens to Markets If the Bond Vigilantes Return?: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Happens to Markets If the Bond Vigilantes Return?
  • What Happens to Markets If the Bond Vigilantes Don’t Return?

Futures are slightly lower mostly on digestion of the recent rally and following a mostly quiet night of news.

Economically, the only notable number was UK CBI Industrial Trends, which were slightly better than expected (-34% vs. (E) -40%).

Politically, President Trump conducted an interview with Sean Hannity overnight but nothing new was revealed.

Today we get our first notable economic report of the week via Jobless Claims (E: 218K) and the case remains that Goldilocks data (so in-line to slightly weak) is the best case scenario for stocks, as it implies solid growth but won’t further reduce rate cut expectations.

On earnings, the reporting season continues to gain steam and some reports we’re watching today include GE ($1.02), AAL ($0.64), FCX ($0.25), TXN ($1.19), ISRG( $1.77).

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Bond Vigilantes Are Back (Part 1)

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Bond Vigilantes Are Back (Part 1): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • The Bond Vigilantes Are Back (They’re Just Not Here Yet) – Part One

U.S. futures are higher with global markets this morning amid a continued relief rally after Trump focused on AI and energy initiatives instead of tariffs on his first day.

Economically, New Zealand CPI came in as expected at 0.5% in Q4 which helped ease global inflation worries.

Today there is just one, second-tiered economic report due to be released: Leading Indicators (E: -0.1%) which is unlikely to move markets.

The Treasury will hold a 4-Month Bill auction at 11:30 a.m. ET and a 20-Year Bond auction at 1:00 p.m. ET. Investors will want to see more strong demand for both short duration and longer duration Treasuries to keep yields from rising again.

Finally, earnings season continues today with PG ($1.87), JNJ ($2.01), ABT ($1.34), KMI ($0.33), DFS ($3.15), and AA ($0.91) all releasing quarterly reports. Generally strong top and bottom line results would be an added tailwind to stocks.

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Some of the biggest gains in the bull market

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Some of the biggest gains in the bull market: Tyler Richey Quoted in Business Insider

Oracles of Wall Street: 11 pros who nailed 2024’s top trends

Building on Sevens Report founder Tom Essaye’s bullish fundamental outlook, Richey compiled the technical indicators he watches and concluded in February that the index could hit 6,000 by the end of 2024.

For example, the S&P 500’s relative strength index, which measures price momentum, had stayed in “overbought” territory for three weeks at the time. When that has happened in the past, it’s meant that the trend could continue for several months, Richey said. Investor sentiment was also bullish but not over-extended. And the yield curve was still inverted despite no sign of recession.

“Some of the biggest gains in the bull market — statistically, it’s measurable that they occur during yield curve inversions such as the late ’90s and 2006-2007,” he said.

Going into 2025, however, Richey sees signs that the rally could face hurdles if a negative catalyst comes along.

“Looking ahead, the collection of market indicators and cyclical signals we monitor suggest all the pieces are in place for this bull market to end in the weeks or months ahead and for a cyclical bear market to begin,” Richey said in an email. But he added that: “There is nothing in the current fundamental backdrop that suggests a bear market in stocks is a sure thing or even likely for that matter.”

Also, click here to view the full Business Insider article published on December 18th, 2024. 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.

Four Key Areas of Policy and Politics That Matter Most

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Four Key Areas of Policy and Politics That Matter Most: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Four Key Areas of Policy and Politics That Matter Most to Markets
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet: Composite PMIs and Jobless Claims in Focus

Futures are higher in volatile trade as investors weigh Trump’s fresh tariff threats against pro-growth policy plans.

Economically, the German ZEW Survey was mixed while the U.K. Unemployment Rate ticked up to 4.4% from 4.3%.

Looking into today’s session, there are no notable economic reports and no Fed officials are scheduled to speak, however, there are Treasury auctions for 3-Month and 6-Month Bills at 11:30 a.m. ET and 52-Week Bills at 1:00 p.m. ET. Rising yields in reaction to the auction results could lead to more market volatility and pressure stocks while strong demand (lower yields) would be welcomed by investors.

Additionally, earnings season continues today with quarterly reports from SCHW ($0.90), MMM ($1.66), DHI ($2.41), NFLX ($4.19), UAL ($3.01), and COF ($2.66), and investors will want to see evidence of continued earnings growth to support the case for a further stock market rally in 2025.

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Market Multiple Table: January Update

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Market Multiple Table: January Update: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Table – January Update

Futures are higher with global stock markets thanks to easing tariff policy worries and fading geopolitical angst.

After the close yesterday, Bloomberg reported Trump’s economic team is planning gradual tariff increases (2%-5% per month) rather than large, one-time hikes which is easing worries about the immediate impact on both growth and inflation.

Geopolitically, the WSJ reported Israel and Hamas are working on a ceasefire deal that could be finalized as soon as today. If successful, the deal would favorably remove a lingering source of market uncertainty.

Looking into today’s session, trader focus will be on inflation data early with the December PPI report due before the open (E: 0.3% m/m, 3.3% y/y). A “cooler” than expected report would likely trigger a continued relief rally in equity markets amid stabilizing bond yields.

There are no other notable economic reports today, but two Fed officials are scheduled to speak: Schmid (10:00 a.m. ET) and Williams (3:00 p.m. ET), and because hawkish money flows have been a major source of volatility in equities recently, their commentary has the potential to move markets today. A more dovish-leaning tone from both would be the most favorable outcome for equities today.

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Friday’s nonfarm payrolls is the “first big report of the year”

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Friday’s nonfarm payrolls is the “first big report of the year”: Tom Essaye Quoted in Forbes

December Jobs Report: Labor Market Grew Faster Than Expected As Unemployment Clocks In At 4.1%

Friday’s nonfarm payrolls is the “first big report of the year” for the U.S. economy, according to Sevens Report founder Tom Essaye, noting the jobs update is “even more important than it would normally be” given the fork in the road for U.S. monetary policy.

Also, click here to view the full Forbes article published on January 10th, 2025. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

Lastly, 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.

Investors will want to see a return to Goldilocks data

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Investors will want to see a return to Goldilocks data: Tom Essaye Quoted in SwissInfo.ch

Wall Street Braces for Jobs Jolt as Stocks Churn: Markets Wrap

“Investors will want to see a return to Goldilocks data, consistent with a cooling labor market to help temper the recent spike in yields and help stocks stabilize,” said Tom Essaye at The Sevens Report.

Also, click here to view the full article published on January 8th, 2025. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

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Lastly, 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.