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Wall Street Braces for Fallout But Markets May Already Be Looking Past It

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Sevens Report’s Tom Essaye on Why the U.S. Strike on Iran Might Not Be a New Market Negative

Wall Street Braces for Market Fallout After the U.S. Bombed Iran

Following news that the United States launched a targeted military strike on Iran, global markets reacted with caution. Investors immediately began pricing in higher oil prices, potential stock market volatility, and a stronger U.S. dollar.

Yet not all analysts see the event as a reason to panic.

In comments to Opening Bell Daily, Sevens Report founder Tom Essaye shared why this development may not derail markets—so long as the situation doesn’t escalate further.

“In some ways, this removes a potential unknown from the markets because it was unclear whether the U.S. would strike or not,”
— Tom Essaye, Sevens Report

Essaye added that unless there’s retaliation or broader conflict, the market may now begin to stabilize. With the decision made and priced in, investor focus may shift back to fundamentals like earnings, Fed policy, and inflation.

Also, click here to view the full article featured on Inc.com, published on June 23rd, 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.

Why Did the S&P 500 Hit A New High? (And Is It Sustainable?)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Did the S&P 500 Hit A New High?  (And Is It Sustainable?)
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Does the Big, Beautiful Bill Pass and Further Support Growth?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  The Big Three Reports This Week:  Jobs Report (Thurs), ISM Manufacturing & Services PMIs

Futures are modestly higher on further progress on passing the “Big, Beautiful Bill” (which would extend and increase ta cuts, further supporting economic growth).

The “Big Beautiful Bill” passed a key procedural vote over the weekend and passage out of the Senate is expected later today (and it could be law by the end of the week).

Economically, the June Chinese manufacturing and service PMIs were slightly better than expected.

Today there is one economic report (Chicago PMI (E: 42.7)) and two Fed speakers, Bostic (10:00 a.m. ET) and Goolsbee (1:00 p.m. ET) but they shouldn’t move markets.  Instead, focus will remain on Washington and if passage of the Big, Beautiful Bill becomes even more likely (meaning it passes the Senate and there’s no major pushback from House members) that should further add to the upward momentum in the market.

The Rally Broadens Beyond Big Tech — Sevens Report Highlights the FOMO Trade

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Tom Essaye says improved breadth shows this market may still have plenty left in the tank

The Stock-Market Rally Is Moving Beyond Big Tech and Investors Are Thrilled

The stock market rally is no longer just a tech story. Recent gains in financial and industrial stocks have pushed one key measure of market breadth to a new high—signaling rising participation across sectors.

That’s a good sign, according to Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research, who believes the bull run may have room to run—as long as economic stability holds.

“As long as things can stay stable, then this market is not exhausted by any stretch of the imagination.”
— Tom Essaye, Sevens Report

Essaye attributes the surge in non-tech names to classic FOMO trading—as investors who missed out on AI and Big Tech now rotate into other sectors.

“Market breadth has improved as investors search for new opportunities in different industries… It’s the FOMO trade.”

Broader participation often strengthens the sustainability of a rally, making this shift in leadership a potentially bullish signal for the months ahead.

Also, click here to view the full article featured on The Wall Street Journal published on June 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.

Tech Leads the Rally, But Breadth Signals Are Flashing | Sevens Report Weighs In

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Tom Essaye says the rally looks healthy—but it’s not without warning signs

Tech stocks are powering this record-setting rally on Wall Street – but how long can it last?

RECORD HIGHS GET SUPPORT FROM NYSE BREADTH, BUT 200-DAY INDICATORS TELL A DIFFERENT STORY

Wall Street’s rally to new highs continues to be led by tech stocks, but according to Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research, the strength may be broader than it looks—though not without its risks.

“The recent advance is broad-based… historically healthy and likely sustainable.”
— Tom Essaye, Sevens Report

Essaye pointed to new highs in the NYSE Advance/Decline (A/D) line, a key signal that the rally has expanded beyond just megacap names.

But there’s a catch: only about 50% of S&P 500 stocks are trading above their 200-day moving averages, according to Sevens Report data—well below May’s 55% high.

“The divergence… is a source of concern,” Essaye wrote. “Some areas show real strength, while others may just be staging bear-market rallies.”

For bulls, Essaye says confirmation would come from more S&P names clearing their 200-DMAs—surpassing the May threshold of 55% would help validate the rally’s staying power.

Also, click here to view the full article published in MarketWatch on June 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.

Tom Essaye Says PCE Report Could Make or Break Rate Cut Hopes

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Markets need a tame report to keep the soft landing story alive: Tom Essaye Quoted in Morningstar

EMEA Morning Briefing: Investors Await Fed’s Preferred Inflation Gauge

Investors are closely watching the PCE inflation report, set for release today, as it remains the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation metric.

According to Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research, the market is hoping for a quiet reading to preserve the case for two rate cuts later this year.

“Markets are counting on inflation to stay subdued to keep expectations for two rate cuts in 2025 intact.”
— Tom Essaye, Sevens Report

While recent CPI and PPI data have come in light, any surprise to the upside in today’s PCE could push Treasury yields higher and pressure equity markets, Essaye warned.

“If inflation surprises to the upside… that will push yields higher and pressure stocks.”

With stocks near all-time highs and rate cut optimism priced in, a hotter-than-expected inflation print could shift sentiment quickly.

Also, click here to view the full Dow Jones article published in Morningstar on June 27th, 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.

Mixed Messages from Market Breadth

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Mixed Messages from Market Breadth

Futures are modestly higher mostly on momentum and continued optimism on trade/tariffs.

The U.S. and China officially signed the recently negotiated trade agreement and Commerce Secretary Lutnick teased 10 more trade deals that could be announced soon.

Economically, Euro Zone Economic Sentiment was slightly weaker than expected (94.5 vs. (E) 95.0).

Today focus will turn to inflation via the Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.1% m/m, 2.6% y/y).  Tame inflation readings have underwritten this slightly dovish shift in rate cut expectations, so this number needs to be in-line or weaker than expected to keep those more dovish expectations intact (and support this week’s rally).

In addition to the data, there are two Fed speakers, Williams (7:30 a.m. ET) and Hammack (9:15 a.m. ET) but they shouldn’t move markets.

 

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If inflation surprises to the upside then that will pressure yields and stocks

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Markets are counting on inflation to stay subdued: Sevens Report President, Tom Essaye Quoted in MarketWatch

What’s up with inflation? PCE likely to show a small rise in prices despite tariffs.

“Markets are counting on inflation to stay subdued to keep expectations for two rates cuts in 2025 intact,” wrote Tom Essaye of Sevens Report Research. “If inflation surprises to the upside — which is unlikely given CPI and PPI were light — then that will push yields higher and pressure stocks.”

Also, click here to view the full MarketWatch article, published on June 26th, 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.

Investor Sentiment Update: Not As Bullish as You Might Think

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Investor Sentiment Update:  Not As Bullish as You Might Think

Futures are modestly higher thanks to a dovish WSJ article on the Fed overnight.

The WSJ reported President Trump will employ a “Shadow Fed” strategy and name Powell’s replacement in the coming months.  That replacement is expected to be more dovish than Powell and that’s weighing on the dollar and boosting futures.

Today focus will be on economic data and the key reports to watch include (in order of importance):  Jobless Claims (E: 245K), Durable Goods (E: 0.1%) and Final Q1 GDP (E: -0.2%).  Given this week’s slight dovish drift in the Fed, markets will want to see stable data further the idea of rate cuts in the next two to three months.

Speaking of the Fed, there are several speakers today including Barkin (8:00 a.m. ET), Hammack (9:00 a.m. ET) and Barr (1:15 p.m. ET).  Markets will be looking to see if any of them also float the idea of a July rate cut.  If so, it won’t make a July cut more likely, but it will further solidify expectations for a September cut (which will be a mild tailwind on stocks).

New ETFs for Your Watchlist (June Update)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • New ETFs for Your Watchlist – June Update
  • Powell Testimony Takeaways
  • Chart – Consumer Confidence Tumbles (Again)

Futures are flat as investors digest reports that the U.S. strikes on Iran nuclear facilities resulted in limited damage while focus remains on Powell’s semi-annual testimony.

There were no noteworthy economic reports overnight and financial news wires were mostly quiet since yesterday’s close.

Today, there is one economic report to watch with New Home Sales (E: 694K) due out just after the bell. Housing data has been trending weaker but that has bolstered dovish money flows so a “hot” print could spark a hawkish reaction and weigh on stocks.

Fed Chair Powell’s semi-annual Congressional testimony continues today at 10:00 a.m. ET which will be a primary focus for markets as investors look for clues as to when the FOMC will resume cutting interest rates.

Moving into the afternoon, there is a 5-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET. Demand has been strong in recent weeks so a weak outcome that sends rates higher is a hawkish risk to watch for that would weigh on risk assets.

Finally, there are a few more late-season earnings reports to watch including PAYX ($1.18), GIS ($0.71), MU ($1.61), and JEF ($0.43).

 

Sevens Report Q2 ’25 Quarterly Letter Coming Next Tuesday

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

What Would Make Markets Care About the Israel-Iran Conflict?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Would Make Markets Care About the Israel-Iran Conflict?
  • June Flash PMI Takeaways

U.S. equity futures are tracking global shares higher after President Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, greatly reducing geopolitical worries.

Economically, the Business Expectations component of the German Ifo Survey rose to 90.7 vs. (E) 89.8 in June which is adding to optimism that a recession will be avoided in most developed nations in 2025.

Looking into today’s session, there are multiple economic reports due to be released including the Case-Shiller Home Price Index (E: 4.0%), FHFA House Price Index (E: 0.1%), Consumer Confidence (E: 99.0), and Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index (E: -7.0).

There are also multiple Fed speakers on the calendar to watch with Hammack (9:15 & 10:15 a.m. ET), Powell (10:00 a.m. ET), Williams (12:30 p.m. ET),  and Collins (2:05 p.m. ET) all due to deliver remarks today.

Finally, some noteworthy earnings releases to keep an eye on include CCL ($0.24), SNX ($2.56), FDX ($5.93), and BB ($0.00).

Bottom line, the two most important catalysts to watch today will be the Consumer Confidence release with investors looking for a healthy/better than expected headline and easing inflation expectations, and Powell’s Humphrey-Hawkins testimony on Capitol Hill as investors gauge the prospects for a July rate cut (the more dovish expectations are, the better for stocks).