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Why Didn’t Powells’ Comments Cause A Rally?

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Why Didn’t Powells’ Comments Cause A Rally? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Didn’t Powells’ Comments Cause A Rally?

Futures are modestly lower as global economic data pointed to slowing growth and falling inflation pressures.

German PPI declined more than expected (-0.2% vs. (E) 0.4%). While UK Retail Sales were weak (-0.9% vs. (E) -0.1%) pointing to slowing growth and lower inflation.

Politically, there remains no end in sight to Republicans’ efforts to elect a Speaker, as Jim Jordan is expected to seek a third round of voting (one he is likely to lose, again).

Today there are no economic reports but there are two Fed speakers, Harker (9:00 a.m. ET) and Mester (12:15 p.m. ET), although given Powell’s comments yesterday neither should move markets.

So, trading today will be dominated by politics, geopolitics and yields.  Any progress on finding a Speaker of the House will be welcomed by market (regardless of whether it’s Jordan, McHenry or anyone else), any calming of tensions in the Middle East will similarly be welcomed by markets as would a decline in the 10-year yield.  Meanwhile, the opposite of any of those will likely add more headwinds to stocks.

Why Didn’t Powells’ Comments Cause A Rally?

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Powell Speech Preview

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Powell Speech Preview (Good, Bad & Ugly): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Powell Speech Preview:  Good, Bad & Ugly
  • EIA Update and Oil Market Analysis

Futures are slightly higher following a quiet night of news as investors await Fed Chair Powell’s speech later today.

Earnings overnight were mixed with TSLA (down 5% after hours) missing estimates while NFLX (up 14% after hours) posted strong results.

Today will be a very busy day of data and Fed speak.  The key event today is Powell’s speech at noon, and to keep things simple, if Powell repeats the sentiment that the spike in Treasury yields has done the Fed’s job for it and, as such, another rate hike is unlikely, that should be positive for stocks and bonds.  If he does not repeat that sentiment and leaves the door open for another hike in 2023, that will be a negative.

Outside of Powell, we get several important economic reports today including:  Jobless Claims (E: 211K), Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing (E: -7.0) and Existing Home Sales (E: 3.900M) and markets will want to see Goldilocks data to support a bounce.

Back to the Fed, there are multiple speakers today other than Powell, including Jefferson (9:00 a.m. ET), Goolsbee (1:20 p.m. ET), Barr (1:30 p.m. ET), Bostic (4:00 p.m. ET); Harker (5:30 p.m. ET) and Logan (7:00 p.m. ET) although their comments will be overshadowed by Powell, so they shouldn’t move markets.

Finally, earnings continue and important reports today include:  T ($0.63), TSM (1.16), AAL (0.26), WAL ($1.91) and CSX ($0.42).

Powell Speech Preview

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Treasury Yields Are Rising Back Towards Cycle Highs

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Treasury Yields Are Rising Back Towards Cycle Highs: Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s

Stocks Open Lower as Retail Sales, Middle East Conflict Overshadow Earnings

Sevens Report Research’s Tom Essaye noted prior to the retail sales report that markets appeared to react to news President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday.

“Treasury yields are rising back towards cycle highs on news that President Biden will travel to Israel tomorrow to try and ease tensions in the region,” Essaye wrote.

Earnings season is kicking into full gear, but so far the reports have been overshadowed by the Israel-Hamas war and economic developments.

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on October 17th, 2023. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

Treasury Yields Are Rising

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How to Explain the Israel-Hamas Conflict to Clients

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How to Explain the Israel-Hamas Conflict to Clients: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • How to Explain the Israel-Hamas Conflict to Clients (How It Matters to Markets)
  • Empire State Manufacturing Index Takeaways (More Goldilocks Data)

Stock futures are modestly lower this morning as Treasury yields are rising back towards cycle highs. This is on news that President Biden will travel to Israel tomorrow to try and ease tensions in the region.

Economic data was largely shrugged off overnight. There were more signs of disinflation as wage pressures eased in the latest U.K. Labour Report. While New Zealand’s latest CPI report undershot estimates at 5.6% vs. (E) 5.9% year-over-year.

Today is lining up to be a busy session news-wise as we get several economic reports in the U.S. including: Retail Sales (E: 0.3%), Industrial Production (E: 0.0%), Business Inventories (E: 0.3%), and the Housing Market Index (E: 45). Investors will want to see more Goldilocks data supporting both peak-Fed-hawkishness and prospects for a soft economic landing in order for stocks to continue to rally.

There are also multiple Fed speakers to watch: Williams, Bowman, Barkin, and Kashkari. Markets will be looking for more commentary that suggests the FOMC is done with rate hikes for the cycle.

Finally, earnings season continues to ramp up with: BAC ($0.80), GS ($5.32), JNJ ($2.52), and LMT ($6.66) reporting results before the bell. While UAL ($3.40) and JBHT ($1.87) will report after the close. A drop-off in earnings is not priced into markets at these levels so investors will be looking for positive quarterly results and upbeat guidance.

How to Explain the Israel-Hamas Conflict to Clients

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Why Markets Are Resilient Despite Geopolitical Risks

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Markets Are Resilient Despite Geopolitical Risks
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Will Powell Signal Rate Hikes Are Over?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Can Economic Growth Stay Strong?

Futures are slightly higher as the weekend brought no major changes to the current macroeconomic set up.

Geo-politically, an invasion of Gaza by Israel remains imminent but so far the conflict hasn’t expanded regionally and oil is little changed as a result.

Economically, inflation in India declined –0.25% vs. (E) 0.50%, reinforcing that inflation is declining globally.

Today focus will be on the October Empire Manufacturing Survey (E: -5.0) and markets will want to see “Goldilocks” data that largely meets expectations combined with declines in the price indices.  We also get one Fed speaker today, Harker (10:30 a.m. ET & 4:30 p.m. ET), and one notable earnings report, SCHW ($0.75), but barring any major surprises they shouldn’t move markets.

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Is There an Opportunity in Defensive Sectors?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Have Defensive Sectors Traded So Poorly and Is There an Opportunity There?
  • Chart: 10-Yr Treasury Note Futures Imply Potential Reversal Lower in Benchmark Yields

U.S. stock futures are tracking global equity markets higher this morning. As investors welcome a sizeable drop in bond yields and new stimulus plans by China.

Bloomberg reported overnight that China may issue 1T yuan in debt to be used for infrastructure projects in order to help the economy meet the government’s annual growth targets. The news is alleviating some lingering concerns about the health of the world’s second-largest economy.

There are no economic reports today which will leave the market focused on more Fed speakers: Bostic, Waller, Kashkari, and Daly, and the subsequent reaction from bond markets.

Additionally, the Treasury will hold auctions for 3 and 6-month Bills at 11:30 a.m. ET and 3-Yr Notes at 1:00 p.m. ET that could impact yields.

Bottom line, the rise in Treasury futures (implying lower yields) yesterday when bond markets were closed for Columbus Day was a major factor supporting the rally in stocks, and how yields move today as fixed income markets open for the week will likely dictate the price action in stocks.

Is There an Opportunity in Defensive Sectors?

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An Important Jobs Day

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • An Important Jobs Day (Jobs Report Preview – Abbreviated Version)

Futures are modestly higher following better than expected economic data overnight and on positioning ahead of today’s important jobs report.

Japanese Household Spending (3.9% vs. (E) 0.6%) and German Manufacturers’ Orders (3.9% vs. (E) 2.1%) both beat estimates. This points to some resilience in the global economy.

Today focus will be on the jobs report and expectations are as follows:  Job Adds: 160K, UE Rate: 3.7%, Wage Growth: 0.3% m/m & 4.3% y/y.  For markets, a job adds figure modestly below expectations with an increase in unemployment and drop in wages should push Treasury yields lower and spur a strong rebound in stocks.

Conversely, if we see a job adds number close to or above 250k, a decline in unemployment or rise in wages, expect higher Treasury yields and lower stock prices.

Outside of the jobs report today we also get Consumer Credit (E: $11.5B) and one Fed speaker, Waller (12:00 p.m. ET), but they shouldn’t move markets.

An Important Jobs Day

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Stock Futures Waver With Bond Yields

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Encouraging Inflation Data: Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s

Stock Futures Waver With Bond Yields, Oil in Focus

U.S. stock futures wavered on Thursday, whipsawing after the release of economic data, though sentiment remained under pressure from a surge in bond yields and the price of oil amid ongoing concerns over interest rates and inflation.

“Encouraging inflation data from Europe was partially offset by ongoing government shutdown and labor strike worries,” said Tom Essaye, the founder of Sevens Report Research.

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article on stock futures are bouncing published on September 28th, 2023. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

Encouraging Inflation Data

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.

What the Near Government Shutdown Means for Markets

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Government Shutdown Means for Markets: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What the Near Government Shutdown Means for Markets (Higher Yields)
  • ISM Manufacturing Index Takeaways – Better Than Feared

Futures are little changed this morning. More evidence of cooling inflation was offset by global central bankers continuing to threaten more rate hikes.

Economically, Swiss CPI came in at 1.7% vs. (E) 1.8% y/y in September. The Core figure fell to 1.3% from 1.5% previously which was the latest report to confirm the ongoing trend of global disinflation.

The RBA held policy rates steady at 4.10% overnight. But joined the growing chorus of ECB and Fed officials who have reiterated future hikes on the table. Global yields edged higher in early trade which is keeping a lid on equity futures this morning.

Looking into today’s session, we will receive data on Motor Vehicle Sales (E: 15.3 million). But more importantly, jobs week kicks off with today’s JOLTS release which is expected to show 8.9 million job openings.

An inline or modestly lower-than-expected JOLTS headline would be welcomed as it would help dial back some of the recent hawkish money flows. While an unexpected increase could spark a continued rise in yields, adding pressure to equity markets.

Finally, there is a 52-Wk Treasury Bill auction at 11:30 a.m. ET and while we typically do not monitor Bill auctions too closely, stocks came for sale and yields rose right at 11:30 a.m. yesterday. When the results of a 3-Month and 6-Month Bill auction hit the wires with higher yields than previous (hawkish). So if we see weak demand and higher yields in the late morning auction today, that could be a drag on equities and other risk assets.

What the Near Government Shutdown Means for Markets (Higher Yields)

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Stock Futures Are Bouncing

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Improvement in Chinese Economic Data: Sevens Report Analysts Quoted in Barron’s

Stock Futures Rebound After Selloff

“Stock futures are bouncing back modestly and bonds are stable this morning amid improvement in Chinese economic data,” said Tom Essaye, the founder of Sevens Report Research.

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article on stock futures are bouncing published on September 27th, 2023. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

Stock Futures Are Bouncing

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.