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Hard vs. Soft Landing Scoreboard Update

Hard vs. Soft Landing Scoreboard Update: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Hard vs. Soft Landing Scoreboard Update
  • Continuing Claims Hit 2-Year High: Chart
  • Philly Fed Survey Takeaways – More Signs of Stagflation
  • Industrial Production Confirms Slowdown in Factor Sector

Stock futures are modestly higher this morning as soft U.K. consumer spending data. Combined with an as-expected drop in EU inflation are supporting a continued bid in bond markets.

Economically, U.K. Retail Sales fell -0.3% vs. (E) +0.3%. As the Eurozone HICP (their CPI equivalent) met estimates across the board, falling significantly from 4.3% to 2.9% y/y. Positively the “Narrow Core” figure eased to 4.2% from 4.5%.

Looking into today’s session, there is just one economic report to watch: Housing Starts (E: 1.35 million) and barring a big surprise, the release should not move markets.

There are a handful of Fed officials speaking today with Barr & Collins, Daly, Goolsbee, and Collins again all on the schedule. If the Fed speakers stick to the same narrative (less hawkish) expect more of the same sideways, digestive trading in equities today with the threat of a continued move higher based on bullish market momentum.

Hard vs. Soft Landing Scoreboard Update


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Why Did Stocks Drop Yesterday?

Why Did Stocks Drop Yesterday? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

    • Bottom Line – Why Did Stocks Drop Yesterday?
    • Chart: S&P 500 Tests Key Support
    • Economic Takeaways: Case-Shiller Home Price Index & Consumer Confidence
    • Philadelphia Fed Service PMI Turns Negative, Price Readings Elevated (Stagflation)

    Stock futures are bouncing back modestly and bonds are stable this morning. This is amid improvement in Chinese economic data while data in Europe was less encouraging.

    Economically, Chinese Industrial Profits were down -11.7% y/y in August. But that was up from -15.5% y/y in July suggesting government stimulus efforts may be stabilizing the economy. The property development sector remains a major source of uncertainty.

    Meanwhile, in Europe, Eurozone M3 Money Supply declined more than expected, down -1.3% vs. (E) -1.0%. Which underscores tightening financial conditions in the EU amid aggressive policy measures by the ECB.

    Today, the calendar is fairly light as there is just one economic report to watch this morning: Durable Goods Orders (E: -0.3%) and no Fed officials are scheduled to speak.

    In the afternoon there is a 5-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m.. ET, and as usual, if there is any meaningful move in yields, it could impact equity markets (stable or easing yields would be welcomed by equity bulls, new highs would pressure stocks and other risk assets).


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Why stocks dropped yesterday


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Market Multiple Table: Fork in the Road?

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Table: Fork in the Road?
  • S&P 500 Chart: 50-50 Chance of New Lows
  • ISM Service Sector PMI
  • OPEC+ Policy Meeting Takeaways

U.S. stock futures have rebounded from overnight losses amid a steadying bond market and mostly upbeat economic data out of Europe.

Economically, German Industrial Production and Italian Retail Sales were both notably better than feared while the Final Q2 Eurozone GDP came in at 0.8% vs. (E) 0.6%, all of which is helping ease concerns about an imminent recession in Europe.

Today, there is one economic report to watch in the morning: International Trade in Goods (E: -$70.5B) and the Fed will release their Beige Book in the afternoon (2:00 p.m. ET) that could shed some light on the Fed’s current view of the economy and inflation trends ahead of this month’s FOMC meeting.

Additionally, there are a few Fed speakers over the course of the day: Mester (10:00 a.m. ET), Brainard (11:55 a.m. ET), and Barr (2:00 p.m. ET). Investors will be most closely focused on commentary from Vice Chair Brainard with the September meeting coming into view.

Bottom line, if data is generally good, rhetoric from the Fed is not more hawkish than it has been lately, and the bond market continues to stabilize, the S&P 500 should be able to hold the critical 3,900 area. However, a break below would be notable and greatly increase the odds of a retest of the June lows.

A History of Fed Warnings

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • A History of Fed Warnings
  • Chart: 10-Year Yield in a ”Broadening Triangle” Pattern

Stock futures are enjoying a solid oversold bounce this morning with both Treasury yields and the dollar index pulling back from their recent highs as Powell’s hawkish comments from Jackson Hole continue to be digested.

Eurozone Economic Sentiment dipped to 97.6 vs. (E) 97.7 this month, a 1.5 year low, but the soft survey data is seeing investors dial back some recent hawkish money flows.

Looking into today’s session, it will be a busy morning with two housing market data points due out before the bell: Case-Shiller Home Price Index (E: 1.1%) and FHFA House Price Index (E: 0.9%) before focus will shift to Consumer Confidence (E: 97.4) and JOLTS (10.4M) data at the top of the 10 a.m. hour ET.

Additionally, there are two Fed speakers to watch: Barkin (8:00 a.m. ET) and Williams (11:00 a.m. ET).

Bottom line, stocks became near-term oversold between Friday and yesterday and as long as the dollar and yields remain steady today, and economic data and Fed chatter doesn’t shift policy expectations any more hawkish than they have already repriced, stocks should be able to enjoy a bounce as traders begin to position into the end of the month.

On the charts, the 4,020 area will be a critical support level to watch in the S&P 500 today as a material break below would open the door to a swift drop into the low-to-mid 3,900s.

Jobs Report Preview

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Report Preview
  • Is Good Economic Data Bad for Markets?

Futures are modestly higher following a soft EU inflation reading and on reports, OPEC members may increase oil production.

Euro Zone PPI undershot expectations (1.2% vs. (E) 2.3%) offering some hope that inflation in the EU is peaking.

Oil is down 2.5% after Saudi Arabia said it may increase oil production to make up for any Russian shortfall.

Today’s focus will be on the economic and inflation data including, in order of importance: ADP Employment Report (E: 240k), Unit Labor Costs (E: 11.6%), and Jobless Claims (E: 210k).  If the data is “Goldilocks” then this early rally can continue.  Finally, there are two Fed speakers today, Logan (12:00 p.m. ET) and Mester (1:00 p.m. ET), with the latter more important (and if she’s hawkish that will weigh on sentiment).