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Why Yields Are Suddenly Surging

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Why Yields Are Suddenly Surging: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Rising Yields: Is it Growth, the Fed, or Fiscal Worries?
  • Chart: Market Based Inflation Expectations Hit 4-Month Highs

Futures are under pressure again this morning as the 10-Yr yield continues to edge further beyond 4.20%, the highest readings since July, while traders await more important earnings releases today and into the weekend.

Economically, Taiwan’s Industrial Production index, which includes the nation’s critical semiconductor output, slowed to 11.22% in September from a lower revised 12.54% rise in August signaling a potential slowdown in high-tech, AI-focused chips in H2’24.

Today, there is one economic report due out: Existing Home Sales (E: 3.90 million) but unless it is meaningfully “hot” it should not have a major impact on markets (although a cool report that influences less hawkish money flows would be well received by equity markets).

Additionally, there are two Fed speakers to watch: Bowman (9:00 a.m. ET) and Barkin (12:00 p.m. ET) from which markets will look for a less-hawkish, more accommodative tone than the recent “higher-for-longer” policy rate chatter.

Finally, earnings season continues with several notable companies reporting quarterly results including BA ($-10.34), KO ($0.74), and T ($0.59) before the open, and TSLA ($0.58), IBM ($2.27), and TMUS ($2.34) after the close.

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Why Didn’t Stocks Rally More Last Week?

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Why Didn’t Stocks Rally More Last Week?: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Didn’t Stocks Rally More Last Week?
  • Weekly Market Preview: Earnings Are the Key This Week
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet: The First Major October Datapoint

Futures are slightly lower to start the week despite more Chinese stimulus and better than expected EU inflation data.

The PBOC announced another larger than expected rate cut, continuing to add stimulus to the Chinese economy.

Economically, German PPI declined more than expected (-1.4% vs. (E) -1.2%), increasing ECB rate cut expectations.

Today there is only one notable economic report, Leading Indicators (E: -0.3%) but there are several Fed speakers: Logan (8:55 a.m. ET), Kashkari (1:00 p.m. ET), Schmid (5:05 p.m. ET).  If the data is in-line and the Fed speakers reinforce two remaining rate cuts in 2024, that should support markets (it’s the Goldilocks set up).

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Earnings Offer Mixed Economic Signals

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Earnings Offer Mixed Economic Signals: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Earnings Giving a More Mixed Economic View (Although It’s Still Early)
  • Empire State Manufacturing Index Takeaways
  • Insight from Oil’s Early Week Collapse

U.S. futures are steady as yesterday’s pullback is digested while overseas markets were mostly lower overnight after ASML’s downbeat guidance weighed on global tech shares and LVMH earnings rekindled concerns about consumers.

Economically, UK Core CPI favorably fell 0.4% to 3.2% vs. (E) 3.5% in September, bolstering BoE rate cut bets.

Today, there is one second-tiered inflation report to watch: Import & Export Prices (E: -0.3%, -0.4%), but barring a big surprise one way or another it is not likely to move markets.

Additionally, there is a 4-Month Treasury Bill auction at 11:30 a.m. ET. A strong auction would be received as dovish and help stocks and other risk assets stabilize in the midst of increasingly hawkish Fed policy expectations in recent weeks.

There are no Fed officials scheduled to speak today but earnings season continues to pick up with results being released by several big financials: MS ($1.57), CFG ($0.79), SYF ($1.77), DFS ($3.29) and a few more economically-sensitive companies PPG ($2.15), CSX ($0.48).

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Is China the Next Japan?

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Is China the Next Japan?: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is China the Next Japan?

Futures and EU shares are lower as cautious retailer earnings guidance and heavy trade in China overnight are offsetting easing geopolitical tensions following reports that Israel would not strike Iranian oil/energy infrastructure (oil futures are down nearly 5%).

Economically, EU Industrial Production met expectations overnight while a German Economic Sentiment gauge topped estimates, but neither report is materially moving markets this morning.

Today, there is one important economic report to watch: The Empire State Manufacturing Index (E: 0.0), and two Fed officials are scheduled to speak: Daly late morning (11:30 a.m. ET) and Kugler in the early afternoon (1:05 p.m. ET).

Additionally, there are two typically lesser-followed Treasury auctions for 3-Month and 6-Month T-Bills at 11:30 a.m. ET that could shed fresh light on market expectations for Fed policy rates between now and Q2’25 which have swung sharply hawkish over the last two weeks. Strong auction would have dovish implications for the market and be well received by equity investors today.

Finally, earnings season is getting into full swing with several more big banks reporting quarterly results today: BAC ($0.78), C ($1.34), and GS ($6.85) while two members of the Dow Jones Transportation Average: UAL ($3.10) and JBHT ($1.43) are also due to report today.

Bottom line, equity markets have rallied solidly over the last week amid a combination of earnings optimism and soft-landing hopes. If any of the economic data, Fed chatter, or earnings results damage either of those narratives, expect some mild profit taking in equities today, otherwise the path of least resistance is still higher for stocks right now.

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Why Yesterday’s Economic Data Wasn’t That Bad

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Why Yesterday’s Economic Data Wasn’t That Bad: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Yesterday’s Economic Data Wasn’t That Bad

Futures are slightly weaker this morning as Tesla’s “Cyber Cab” event underwhelmed while investors look ahead to the start of earnings season.

Economically, German CPI and UK monthly GDP both met estimates and didn’t provide any negative surprises.

Today investors will be focused on more inflation data via PPI (E: 0.2% m/m, 1.6% y/y) and Core PPI (E: 0.2% m/m, 2.7% y/y) while there are also several Fed speakers including Goolsbee (9:45 a.m. ET), Logan (10:45 a.m. ET) and Bowman (1:10 p.m. ET).  But, barring any major surprises from PPI or those Fed officials, they shouldn’t move markets.

Additionally, focus will now turn towards earnings and that will be one of the dominant forces on markets for the next three weeks.  Key reports today include: JPM ($4.02), BLK ($10.42), WFC ($1.27), FAST ($0.52).

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October MMT Update: Positive News (But Priced In)

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How to Cut Through the Market Noise: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • October Market Multiple Table – Positive News But Priced In

U.S. futures are higher on dovish-leaning comments by the Fed’s Kugler overnight while global shares declined broadly in sympathy with a near-10% drop in Chinese shares after the latest government stimulus efforts disappointed.

Economically, German Industrial Production rose 2.9% vs. (E) 0.8% in August, helping easing EU growth worries while the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose to 91.5 but narrowly missed estimates of 91.7.

There are no notable economic reports today, however several Fed officials are scheduled to speak: Bostic (12:45 p.m. ET), Collins (4:00 p.m. ET), and Jefferson (7:30 p.m.). Based on the market’s positive reaction to Kugler’s comments in the pre-market, more dovish commentary has the potential to fuel a further relief rally today while a hawkish tone would likely weigh on stocks.

Finally, there is a 3-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET and given the hawkish money flows in the wake of last week’s ISM data and September jobs report, weak demand at the auction could send yields to new highs and further pressure equity markets.

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How to Cut Through the Market Noise

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How to Cut Through the Market Noise: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • How to Cut Through the Market Noise
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Inflation and Earnings
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  CPI on Thursday is the Key Report

Futures are moderately lower following underwhelming economic data and as investors continue to wait for the Israeli response to Iran.

Economically, German Manufacturers’ Orders and Euro Zone retail sales both missed estimates.

Geopolitically, investors are still awaiting the Israeli response strike to Iran and that lingering uncertainty is further boosting oil and weighing on futures.

Today the calendar is quiet as there is just one economic report, Consumer Credit (E: $13.5B) and two Fed speakers, Bowman (1:00 p.m. ET) and Kaskari (1:50 p.m. ET) but none of that should move markets.  Instead, focus will be on geo-politics as investors anxiously await the Israeli response strikes on Iran and whether they hit key infrastructure (nuclear sites, energy sites) or not will determine the impact on markets.

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Jobs Day

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Jobs Day: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Day
  • Key VIX Levels to Watch

Futures are slightly higher following the end to the dockworkers’ strike and as investors wait for the jobs report and the Israeli retaliatory attack on Iran.

The dockworkers’ strike ended Thursday night, removing a potential economic headwind.

Geopolitically, markets are still awaiting the Israeli response to Iran, but reports are pointing to a military or domestic energy target, which is a mild positive (if Israel were to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities it’d be viewed as a major escalation and we’d expect oil to surge further and be a stronger headwind on stocks).

Today focus will be on the jobs report and expectations are as follows: 147K job-adds, 4.2% UE Rate and 3.8% wages (y/y).  As long as the job adds and unemployment rate are relatively close to expectations, we should see a mostly Goldilocks reaction as that implies a soft landing and will keep the Fed on track to cut twice more this year (50 bps).  The biggest risk for the market remains a very weak number.

Finally, there is also one Fed speaker today and he is part of leadership, Williams at 9:00 a.m. ET, but barring a substantial surprise, he shouldn’t move markets.

 

Sevens Report Quarterly Letter Delivered

Our Q3’24 Quarterly Letter was delivered to subscribers. 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.

You can view our Q2 ’24 Quarterly Letter here. To learn more about the product (including price) please click this link.

If you’re interested in subscribing, please email: info@sevensreport.com.

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Economic Implications of the Port Strikes

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Economic Implications of the Port Strikes: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Will the Port Strike Increase Hard Landing Chances
  • Fed Chair Powell’s Commentary Takeaways (Less-Dovish)

Futures are little changed this morning as investors weigh a favorable decline in EU inflation against news that a dockworkers strike has commenced at East Coast ports.

Economically, the Eurozone Manufacturing PMI fell to 45.0 vs. (E) 44.8 while the EU HICP Flash (their CPI) fell 0.4% to 1.8% vs. (E) 2.0% in September. The sub-2% headline was notably the first below-ECB-target print since 2021.

Looking into today’s session, there are several domestic economic data points that will be in focus including, in order of importance: The ISM Manufacturing PMI (E: 47.0), JOLTS (E: 7.7 million), and Construction Spending (E: -0.3%).

Additionally, there is one Fed speaker on the calendar for the late morning: Bostic (11:00 a.m. ET).

Bottom line, investors will be assessing what the market implications of the East Coast port strike will be as the situation develops today while also looking for more “goldilocks” economic data and a less-hawkish tone from Fed officials in order for the early week stock market gains to hold.

 

Sevens Report Quarterly Letter Delivered Today

Our Q3’24 Quarterly Letter will be delivered to subscribers today. 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.

You can view our Q2 ’24 Quarterly Letter here. To learn more about the product (including price) please click this link.

If you’re interested in subscribing, please email: info@sevensreport.com.

Join thousands 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 the Next Four Weeks Are So Important

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Investor Sentiment Update: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why the Next Four Weeks Are So Important
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Does Data Stay Goldilocks?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Jobs Report Friday, ISM PMIs This Week

Futures are slightly lower as markets digest last week’s rally ahead of a busy week of economic data.

Geo-politically, Mid-East tensions rose further as Israel struck Houthi targets in Yemen, expanding its current campaign.  However, for now this is not impacting stocks.

Economically, Chinese manufacturing and non-manufacturing PMIs underwhelmed, raising expectations for even more stimulus (and boosting Chinese stocks).

There are no important economic reports today (they come later this week) so the most important event today is Powell’s speech at 1:55 p.m. ET.  He’s unlikely to say much new (given the FOMC decision was less than two weeks ago) but a dovish reiteration of policy will likely continue to boost markets in the near term.

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