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Was Powell’s Speech That Bullish? No. Here’s Why.

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Was Powell’s Speech That Bullish?  No.  Here’s Why
  • Jobs Report Preview
  • EIA Update and Oil Market Analysis

Futures are slightly lower as markets digest yesterday’s post-Powell speech rally and focus on key economic data today (manufacturing PMI) and tomorrow (jobs report).

Global economic data underwhelmed overnight, as the Euro Zone manufacturing PMI missed estimates (47.1 vs. (E) 47.3) while the UK manufacturing PMI remained firmly in contraction territory (46.5 vs. (E) 46.2).

Looking forward to today, there are three important economic reports including (in order of importance):  ISM Manufacturing Index (E: 49.9), Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.3% m/m, 5.0% y/y), and Jobless Claims (E: 235K).  Markets will want to see 1) More evidence of easing price pressures in the ISM Manufacturing PMI and Core PCE Price Index and 2) Further labor market deterioration in jobless claims if the data is to help extend yesterday’s rally.

We also get three Fed speakers today, Logan (9:25 a.m. ET), Bowman (9:30 a.m. ET), and Barr (3:00 p.m. ET), but their commentary should be largely overshadowed by Powell’s less hawkish-than-feared remarks yesterday and I don’t expect them to move markets.

Tom Essaye Quoted in Forbes on November 17th, 2022

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Major Retailers Are Bracing For A Disappointing Holiday Season Due To Inflation

“There’s frankly little doubt that consumers are already 1) Reining in spending and 2) Becoming more value conscious,” Sevens Report analyst Tom Essaye wrote in a Thursday note. Click here to read the full article.

Tom Essaye Quoted in Market Watch on November 25th, 2022

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U.S. bond market holds steady in shortened post-Thanksgiving session

“Looking at the curve, the 10s-2s yield curve spread remained near a multidecade low of nearly minus-80 basis points. That deep of an inversion suggests that the Fed’s current policy and expected path of future policy are far too restrictive for the state of the economy and growth expectations, which will almost certainly end in a recession — and potentially a severe one given the scope of the current inversions across the Treasury yield curve,” said Tom Essaye, editor of Sevens Report Research, in a note. Click here to read the full article. 

Was Bullard That Hawkish? (No)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Was Bullard That Hawkish?  (No).

Futures are moderately higher following more geo-political progress amidst an otherwise quiet night.

Russian officials signaled they are open to high-level talks with the U.S. on strategic stability, which is being taken as another (small) step towards an ultimate cease-fire.

Economically, the only notable number was UK Retail Sales and they were better than expected, rising 0.6% vs. (E) 0.2%.

Today the calendar is sparse with just Existing Home Sales (E: 4.360M) and one Fed speaker, Collins (8:40 a.m. ET) but if she doesn’t provide any hawkish surprises, this early rally can continue as stocks recoup yesterday’s Bullard inspired losses.

Are Corporate Earnings Rolling Over?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Are Corporate Earnings Rolling Over?
  • Another (Small) Sign of Dis-Inflation
  • EIA Update and Oil Market Analysis

Futures are modestly lower as investors digest Wednesday’s earnings disappointments.

CSCO and NVDA reported after the close and both results were better than feared, but that’s not enough to offset growing concerns about future corporate earnings.

On inflation, October EU HICP slightly missed estimates  (10.6% vs. (E) 10.7%) although the monthly reading was in-line at 1.5%, signaling that inflation pressures in the EU aren’t declining.

Today’s focus will again be on inflation so the price indices in the Philly Fed Manufacturing Index (E: -7.0) will be the key reports and any declines in those price indices should prompt at least a small rally.  Outside of Philly Fed, we also get Housing Starts (E: 1.41M) and Jobless Claims (E: 222k), but neither should move markets.

There are also multiple Fed speakers today including Bostic (7:30 a.m. ET), Bowman (9:15 a.m. ET), Mester (9:40 a.m. ET), and Kashkari (10:40 a.m. ET & 1:45 p.m. ET), and we should expect their message to be consistent with recent Fed speak:  The size of rate hikes will shrink, but the Fed still has a long way to go to reach the “Terminal Rate.”

Tom Essayed Interviewed on BNN Bloomberg on November 14th, 2022

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We Could Be Approaching The Death Of The FAANG’s: Tom Essaye

Tom Essaye, founder and president of Sevens Report Research, joins BNN Bloomberg to recap earnings from big tech this week. Click here to watch the full interview.

Is a Dovish Hike the Same as a Fed Pivot? No.

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is a Dovish Hike the same as a Fed Pivot?  No.  Here’s Why.
  • EIA Update and Oil Analysis

Futures are little changed as rising hope of smaller than expected future rate hikes is being offset by ugly tech earnings.

Meta (FB) missed earnings and posted underwhelming guidance and the stock fell nearly 20% after hours, continuing this week’s trend of disappointing tech earnings.

Today will be a busy day of earnings and economic data.  The most important events of the day will come after the close via the AAPL ($1.26), AMZN ($0.22), INTC ($0.34) earnings, and given the disappointing tech earnings so far this week, the market will need solid numbers today.

Outside of those earnings, other key events today include the ECB Rate Decision (E: 75 bps hike), Durable Goods Orders (E: 0.6%), Jobless Claims (E: 223K) and Preliminary Q3 GDP (E: 2.3%) and the market will be looking for “just right” outcomes from each (an ECB that’s not too hawkish, and U.S. economic data that’s not too good or not too bad).

How Far Could This Relief Rally Run?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Technical Support for a Near Term Bottom and How Far This Relief Rally Could Run
  • Chart: 10-Yr Note Futures Test Trend Resistance
  • Housing Market Update

Stock futures are trading lower this morning as soft tech earnings are overshadowing a continued bounce in bonds.

MSFT and GOOGL both fell roughly 6% overnight after delivering disappointing quarterly results yesterday afternoon which is dragging the broader tech sector lower in premarket trading.

Today, there are two economic reports to watch in the morning: International Trade in Goods (E: -$87.8B) and New Home Sales (E: 585K), while there is a 5-Yr Treasury Note auction in the early afternoon (1:00 p.m. ET).

Earnings will remain in focus today with BA (-$0.01), BMY ($1.83), HLT ($1.25), KHC ($0.55), and HOG ($1.45) reporting before the bell, and META ($1.88), F ($0.31), and CP ($0.77) releasing results after the close.

Bottom line, soft earnings out of mega-cap tech are weighing on the market this morning however stable bond markets are limiting losses. If we see Treasuries roll over today and yields begin to climb again, expect pressure on equities to pick up as both earnings expectations and multiple compression will weigh on stocks broadly.

Economic Breaker Panel

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Economic Breaker Panel (October Edition)
  • Oil Update and EIA Analysis

Futures are slightly lower following a night of mixed earnings results and yet another firm inflation report.

TSLA missed on revenue and production targets and the stock fell –5% after hours, although overall earnings reports were more mixed than negative overnight.

German PPI was the latest global inflation indicator to run hotter than estimates (2.3% vs. (E) 1.5%) reinforcing that global inflation is proving “sticky.”

Today’s focus will be on economic data and the key reports are (in order of importance): Philly Fed (-5.0), Jobless Claims (E: 235K), and Existing Home Sales (E: 4.695M).  If we can see a moderation in the data (especially in the price indices in Philly Fed) then stocks can rally.  We also get numerous Fed speakers including: Harker (12:00 p.m. ET), Jefferson (1:30 p.m. ET), Cook (1:45 p.m. ET), and Bowman (2:05 p.m. ET) but none of them should move markets.

Finally, earnings season rolls on although the critically important results really increase next week.  Some reports we’re watching today include:  AAL ($0.54), SNAP ($0.00), and WHR ($5.59).

Market Multiple Table: Headwinds Building

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Table: Headwinds Building

Stock futures are higher this morning as Treasury markets are steady despite more turmoil in the Gilts market with the 30-Yr jumping another 20+ bp back towards 5.00%.

Economic data was mixed overnight as U.K. GDP dropped off further than expected in August (-0.3% vs. E: -0.1%) while EU Industrial Production for the same month was solid at 1.5% vs. (E) 0.5%.

Today, there is one inflation data point to watch pre-market: Producer Price Index (E: 0.2%) and if it runs hot, it would likely send yields to new highs and pressure risk assets ahead of the bell.

After the open, the focus will shift to the Fed with two officials speaking through the middle of the day: Kashkari (10:00 a.m. ET) and Barr (1:45 p.m. ET) before the most recent FOMC Meeting Minutes are due to be released at 2:00 p.m. ET.

In the minutes, investors will be looking for any new indication of a timeline for a policy “pivot” or what might result in one as that is still a major catalyst needed in order for stocks to bottom.

Finally, there is a 10-Yr Treasury Note Auction at 1:00 p.m. ET and if the outcome is weak, as was the case with yesterday’s 3-Yr Note auction, and yields begin to rise, that will likely be a renewed headwind on equities in the afternoon.

Bottom line, yields are still the primary driver of the stock market this week and if we see Treasuries remain stable as they are this morning, then stocks could break their multi-day losing streak, however, if yields do rise meaningfully it will be hard for the major indices to hold this week’s lows.