Posts

Five Concerning Market Breadth Developments

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Five Concerning Market Breadth Developments

Futures are modestly higher thanks to better than expected tech earnings.

APPL and AMZN both beat estimates and the stocks are rallying 2% and 12% respectively pre-market and pushing futures higher.

Economically, Chinese PMIs were mixed as the manufacturing PMI slightly missed estimates (49 vs. (E) 49.6).

There are no economic reports today but there are two Fed speakers, Logan (9:30 a.m. ET) and Bostic (12:00 p.m. ET) and given Powell’s hawkish surprise earlier in the week, markets will want to hear a dovish tone from both.

On earnings, the heart of the season is now over but there are still some notable reports today including: XOM ($1.78), CVX ($1.66) and ABBV ($1.77).

Finally, with President Trump back in the U.S., focus will shift to the government shutdown and any chatter about a resolution will be a mild market positive.

 

Takeaways from OpenAI’s Secondary Offering (More Evidence of An AI Bubble?)

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Takeaways from OpenAI’s Secondary Offering (More Evidence of An AI Bubble?)

Futures are slightly higher following another quiet night of news, as there was no notable progress on resolving the government shutdown overnight.

Economic data from Europe was mixed as the EU Services PMI as essentially in-line (51.3 vs. (E) 51.4) and rose since August, while the UK reading was weak, falling to 50.8 vs. (E) 51.9, a solid drop from the 54.2 August level.  That will add to anxiety about the UK economy.

Today there is no jobs report because of the slowdown so all the focus will be on the ISM Services PMI (E: 51.6) and the key for this number is to stay above 50.  If it drops below 50, that will add to slowdown concerns (although don’t be shocked by another “bad is good” rally in the short term).

There are also two Fed speakers today, Logan (1:30 p.m. E.T) and Jefferson (1:40 p.m. ET) but they shouldn’t move markets.

 

Technical Trends in the Economic Data

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Technical Trends in the Economic Data

Futures are little changed following a flurry of new tariff announcements overnight.

The administration announced several new tariffs on specific industries, most notably pharmaceuticals and semiconductors.

While the tariff headlines appear negative, the announcements include provisions to reduce the practical impact, they aren’t materially impacting markets.

Today focus will be on further dissecting the tariff announcements (as long as there are “outs” for companies, the announcements won’t be direct negative influences on markets) but also on inflation, as we get the Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.2% m/m, 2.9% y/y), and the inflation expectations in Consumer Sentiment (1-Yr Inflation Expectations: 4.8%, 5-Yr. Inflation Expectations: 3.0%).  Markets need inflation data to stay stable to continue to support rate cut hopes, so in-line to slightly soft numbers will be welcomed by markets (and a hot number would be a negative headwind).

Turning to the Fed, there are two speakers today:  Barkin (9:00 a.m. ET) and Bowman (1:00 p.m. ET) but they shouldn’t move markets.

 

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is Valuation a Problem for the Market (Yes & No)
  • September Flash PMI Takeaways

Futures are rebounding from yesterday’s Powell-induced declines with tech leading as MU reported solid Q3 earnings while BABA announced a $50B AI investment overnight.

Economically, Germany’s Ifo Survey disappointed across the board with the headline Business Climate down to 87.7 vs. (E) 89.1.

Today, there is one economic report to watch: New Home Sales (E: 649K) and one Fed official scheduled to speak: Daly (4:10 p.m. ET).

The Treasury will hold a 4-Month Bill auction (11:30 a.m. ET) and a 5-Yr Note auction (1:00 p.m. ET) today, and as has been the case recently, the results have the potential to move fixed income markets/Fed policy expectations and ultimately could impact stocks.

Additionally, there are a few more noteworthy earnings releases due out today including: CTAS ($1.19), THO ($1.16), KBH ($1.50).

 

Sevens Report Q3 ’25 Quarterly Letter Coming Next Wednesday

We will be releasing the Q3 2025 Sevens Report Quarterly Letter to subscribers next Wednesday, October 1. 

The Sevens Report Quarterly Letter is a turn-key client communications solution. We use our strength (writing about the markets) to help you:

  • Save time (an average of 4-6 hours per quarterly letter)
  • Show you’re on top of markets with impressive, compelling market analysis and
  • Strengthen client relationships with little-to-no work from you!

Study after study tells us that the No. 1 reason clients switch advisors is a lack of personal, value-add communication. An original quarterly letter is an easy way to deliver that personal touch. Let us do the work for you!

You can view our Q2 ’25 Quarterly Letter here.

To learn more about the product (including price), please click this link and if you’re interested in subscribing, please email info@sevensreport.com.

 

Understanding Why Stocks Hit New Highs

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Understanding Why Stocks Hit New Highs
  • Weekly Market Preview: Does Goldilocks Growth and Inflation Data Continue?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet: September Flash PMIs Tuesday, Core PCE Price Index Friday are Key Reports

Futures are modestly lower as markets digested last week’s new highs following a mostly quiet weekend of news.

Politically, the U.S. government could shut down this Friday and that is weighing slightly on markets, although we don’t view any temporary, partial shutdown as a risk to the rally.

There was no notable economic data overnight.

Today the only economic report is the Chicago Fed National Activity Index (E: -0.19) and it’s unlikely to move markets, so focus instead will be on the Fed.

There are several Fed speakers today and the most important of them is Williams at 9:45 a.m. ET.  If Williams embraces two additional rate cuts this year, that should help support markets.  More broadly, markets will want to see dovish tones from most Fed speakers going forward, confirming the Fed intends several more rate cuts.  Other Fed speakers today include: Musalem (10:00 a.m. ET), Hammack (12:00 p.m. ET) and Barkin (12:00 p.m. ET).

 

September Bitcoin Update and Outlook

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • September Bitcoin Update and Outlook
  • What Yesterday’s CPI Means for Markets

Futures are slightly lower on mixed data and earnings overnight.

ADBE was the latest tech company to post earnings and the results were solid (beat on EPS and revenue and a guidance increase) but concerns about AI sapping demand for software kept gains modest (ADBE is up 3% pre-market).

Economically, data was mixed.  UK Industrial Production badly missed estimates (-1.3% vs. (E) 0.5%) while German CPI and UK Monthly GDP both met expectations.

Today the only notable economic report is University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment (E: 58.0) and focus will be on the inflation expectations.  As long as they don’t move sharply higher, it’ll cap a generally positive week for markets on the inflation front (which has been the main reason stocks are higher this week).

 

What Happens If AI Loses Momentum?

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Happens if AI Loses Momentum?
  • Oil Update and Weekly EIA Takeaways

Futures are little changed following a quiet night of news and as CSCO earnings largely met expectations.

Economically, data was mixed in Europe as UK GDP (0.4% vs. (E) 0.2%) and Industrial Production (0.7% vs. (E) 0.5%) beat estimates while EU GDP met estimates (0.1%) but Industrial Production missed (badly) (-1.3% vs. (E) -0.5%).

Today focus will turn back to economic data and there are two notable reports today: Jobless Claims (E: 230K) and PPI (E: 0.2% m/m, 2.6% y/y).  Of the two, PPI is more important and if it confirms the mostly tame CPI reading from Tuesday, it will further solidify rate cut expectations and support stocks.  There is also one Fed speaker today, Barkin (2:00 p.m. ET), and given recent conflicting commentary from voting members on the FOMC, the tone of each speaker will become more important.

Finally, mid-season earnings continue and some notable reports today include: JD ($0.44), AMAT ($2.34), NTES ($1.85), DE ($4.62), AAP ($0.59), NU ($0.13).

 

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

/in , /by

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).

 

Sevens Report’s Tom Essaye Flags Bubble Risk in AI-Driven Rally

/in , /by

Semiconductor weakness signals possible cracks in AI trade

AI-Driven Market Rally Raises Bubble Concerns: Strategist Warns of Potential Warning Signs

Tom Essaye of the Sevens Report warns that the AI-fueled stock market rally may be unsustainable, as semiconductor stocks lag the broader market.

While the S&P 500 is up nearly 14% since July 2024, the PHLX Semiconductor Index has barely broken even, raising questions about the rally’s foundation. Essaye also notes slowing U.S. job growth and rising jobless claims, cautioning that bubbles often burst in late economic cycles — with a recession posing a major risk to AI-driven gains.

Also, click here to view the full article published in AInvest.com on August 9th, 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.

MMT Chart: A “Relatively” Different Look at Stocks

/in , /by

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.