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Are Stagflation Risks Real?

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Are Stagflation Risks Real? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Are Stagflation Risks Real?
  • Weekly Market Preview:  If Treasury Yields Rebound, Will That Hit Stocks?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  CPI on Wednesday, Important Growth Data Throughout the Week

Futures are slightly higher following a very quiet weekend of news as investors look ahead to a potentially very important week that includes Wednesday’s CPI report.

China announced plans to sell $140 billion in long term bonds to fund more economic stimulus, which will help combat recession fears in that economy.

There was no notable economic data out over the weekend.

Today focus will be on the New York Fed One Year Inflation Expectations (3.0%).  If they run hot like we saw in Friday’s University of Michigan Inflation Expectations, Treasury yields should rise and pressure stocks.  Outside of that data, we also have two Fed speakers, Jefferson & Mester (9:00 a.m. ET), but they shouldn’t move markets unless they talk about rate hikes.

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There are only really three important weeks of earnings season

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There are only really three important weeks of earnings season: Sevens Report Editor, Tom Essaye, Quoted in Barron’s

Dow, S&P 500 Tick Higher

“There are only really three important weeks of earnings season, and Disney comes the week after it,” Sevens Report Research’s Tom Essaye told Barron’s. “It sort of puts a bow on earnings season, but it’s not like Disney is really that representative of the broader economy.”

“The global market has convinced themselves that that the [European Central Bank] and the BOE are going to cut in June,” Essaye says. “And if the Bank of England pushes back on that, I think could be a little bit of a negative surprise.”

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on May 7th, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

It’ll be Very Hard for This Market to RallyIf 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.

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Things aren’t as bad as people were afraid of

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Things aren’t as bad as people were afraid of: Sevens Report Editor, Tom Essaye, Quoted in Barron’s

S&P 500 Holds Above Its 50-Day Moving Average

“The bottom line is that things aren’t as bad as people were afraid of about 10 days ago, and now the market is rallying, now it’s making some technical progress getting back above the 50, and that’s just going to create more chasing, more fear of missing out,” Essaye says. “And I think that’s really what’s helping the market these last couple of days.”

“Until something happens to kind of break this little conversation that investors are having with each other where they’re convincing themselves of these things, the market can rally,” Essaye says. “And there’s not a ton on the calendar this week to break that idea.”

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on May 7th, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

It’ll be Very Hard for This Market to RallyIf 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 Are The GRANOLAS and Why Are They Attractive?

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What Are The GRANOLAS and Why Are They Attractive? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Are The GRANOLAS and Why Are They Attractive?
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are modestly weaker following a quiet night of news as investors digest the last weeks’ gains.

Economically, Chinese exports (1.5% vs. (E) 1.3%) and imports (8.4% vs. (E) 4.7%) were stronger than expected, offering some optimism for that economy.

Tech earnings continued to be mixed as semiconductor company ARM Holdings (ARM) posted soft guidance and the stock is down 8% pre-market.

Today focus initially will be on the BOE Rate Decision, as no rate cut is expected but the BOE may signal a rate cut is coming in June.  In the U.S., the only notable number is Jobless Claims (E: 212K) and there’s just one Fed speaker today (Daly at 2:00 p.m. ET) and it’ll take a significant surprise from either event to move markets.

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May MMT Update: Less Bad News Is Not Good

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May MMT Update: Less Bad News Is Not Good: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • May Market Multiple Table Update: Don’t Confuse Less-Bad News for Actual Good News

Futures are little changed this morning as favorable EU economic data and strong bank earnings from UBS and UniCredit offset escalating geopolitical tensions in Gaza.

Geopolitically, Israeli tank units seized a critical Rafah border crossing with Egypt as ceasefire talks reportedly continue, however the market impact is limited this morning with oil futures slightly lower.

Economically, UK’s Construction PMI topped estimates (53.0 vs. E: 51.1) and EU Retail Sales rose 0.8% vs. (E) 0.7% helping ease worries about fading economic growth in Europe.

Looking into today’s session, focus will be on the Fed’s Kashkari who speaks mid-morning (11:30 a.m. ET). The market is looking for more confirmation of sooner-than-later rate hikes in 2024.

Then this afternoon, there is a 3-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET which will be closely watched by bond traders to see how well the larger than expected Q2 bond issuance will be absorbed by the market. A tailing auction that sends yields higher will be negative for stocks.

Finally, there is just one economic report this afternoon: Consumer Credit ($15.5B) and two earnings reports to watch: DIS ($1.11), LYFT ($0.02).

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Sevens Report Research’s Tom Essaye Quoted by Barron’s in a Phone Interview

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Price pressures are firming up: Sevens Report Editor, Tom Essaye, Quoted in Barron’s

Dow Drops 300 Points. Price Pressures Are Firming Up.

Sevens Report Research’s Tom Essaye told Barron’s in a phone interview that hotter-than-expected employment cost and home price data spooked markets after a couple strong days.

“What I think that’s doing is reminding everybody, after a couple of days of a breather, that there’s really a long and growing list of indicators that are showing price pressures are firming up,” Essaye says.

He notes that while inflation is not roaring back, the numbers have remained elevated enough to increase the likelihood that the Federal Reserve keeps rates higher for longer.

“If he says, ‘Look, this is very disappointing and we may have to consider hiking rates again,’ which I don’t think he will do, but if he does do that, then it’s going to hit the markets really hard,” Essaye says.

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on April 30th, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

It’ll be Very Hard for This Market to RallyIf 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 the Outlook For Stocks Got Worse Last Week (Not Better)

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Why the Outlook For Stocks Got Worse Last Week (Not Better): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why the Outlook For Stocks Got Worse Last Week (Not Better)
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Will Fed Officials and the BOE Increase Rate Cut Hopes?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  A Quiet Week but Friday’s Inflation Expectations Will Be Important

Futures are extending the gains from Friday’s Goldilocks jobs report despite a potential increase in geo-political tensions this week.

Oil prices are rallying moderately following the breakdown of Israel/Hamas cease fire talks and an Israeli military operation in Rafah is likely.

Economically, the Euro Zone services PMI beat estimates at 53.5 vs. (E) 52.9, pushing back on EU recession risks.

Today there are no notable economic reports but there are two Fed speakers, Barkin (12:50 p.m. ET) and Williams (1:00 p.m. ET).  If either of them sound more open to rate hikes than Powell did last week, it’ll likely push yields higher and take back some of last week’s post-Fed rally.

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Jobs Report Preview

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

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Report Preview

Futures are modestly higher ahead of the jobs report thanks to good AAPL earnings and solid economic data.

AAPL posted better than expected earnings and boosted its buyback.  The stock is rallying 6% pre-open and that’s helping to push futures higher.

Economically, the UK Services PMI was better than expected (55.0 vs. (E) 54.9) implying solid growth.

Today focus will be on the jobs report and expectations are: 243K Job Adds, 3.8% Unemployment Rate and 0.3% m/m and 4.0% y/y Wage Growth.  To help extend this late week bounce, markets will need to see the jobs number modestly below expectations (preferably on all three metrics) to imply solid growth but still increase the likelihood of a September rate cut.  If the jobs report prints “Too Hot” across all three metrics, don’t be shocked if Thursday’s rally is given back and then some.

Outside of the jobs report, there are two Fed speakers today:  Williams & Goolsbee (7:45 a.m. ET).  Williams will be the more important of the two as he’s part of Fed leadership and if he brings up rate hikes again, look for an uptick in volatility.

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Was the Fed Decision Positive? (No, Not Really)

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Was the Fed Decision Positive? (No, Not Really): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Was the Fed Decision Positive? (No, Not Really)
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are solidly higher following a mostly quiet night of news as markets further digested Fed Chair Powell pushing back on the idea of future rate hikes.

Economic data showed more buoyant inflation globally as Swiss CPI rose 1.4% vs. (E) 1.2% while the Euro Zone Manufacturing PMI met estimates.

Today the focus will remain on economic data as we get two notable economic reports, Jobless Claims (E: 211K) and Unit Labor Costs (E: 3.3%). If both are “hot” (and especially if Unit Labor Costs are high) then expect higher yields and more pressure on stocks ahead of tomorrow’s Jobs Report.

Earnings season is winding down but there’s an important report via AAPL (E: $1.51) after the close, while I’ll also be watching SQ ($0.72), COIN (E: $1.20) and BKNG ($14.03) for any insight into the state of the U.S. consumer.

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A Flash of Fear: FOMC Technical Preview

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A Flash of Fear: FOMC Technical Preview: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • FOMC Technical Preview – A Flash of Fear in the Market (Shareable PDF By Request)
  • More Hot Inflation Data: Employment Cost Index and Case Shiller/FHFA Home Price Indices
  • Chart: Stagflation Concerns Bring Focus Back to the Yield Curve

Futures are lower as stagflation fears continue to weigh on risk assets while earnings were mixed overnight with AMZN reporting strong quarterly cloud sales (the stock is up 2%+) while AMD’s AI-chip demand forecast disappointed (the stock is down 6%+).

Economically, the U.K.’s April Manufacturing PMI was better than feared, rising to 49.1 vs. (E) 48.7 which is helping the FTSE buck the heavy trend across global equity markets this morning.

Looking into today’s session, focus will be on economic data early with the ADP Private Payrolls (E: 175K), ISM Manufacturing Index (E: 50.0), Construction Spending (E: 0.3%), and JOLTS (E: 8.7 million) all due to be released by 10 a.m. ET.

Additionally, the Treasury Refunding Announcement (8:30 a.m. ET) for which estimates sparked some volatility earlier in the week, could move bond markets and subsequently impact equities in the pre-market.

In the afternoon, focus will turn to the Fed with the FOMC Announcement at 2:00 p.m. ET followed by Fed Chair Powell’s Press Conference at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Earnings season takes a breather today before AAPL and other tech companies report tomorrow but there are still a few notables to monitor today including: MA ($3.22), CVS ($1.69), QCOM ($2.31).

Bottom line, there are a lot of potential catalysts for markets today but the key to stocks stabilizing will be economic data that contradicts recent signs of stagflation emerging in the economy and a benign Fed day with an as-expected to dovish announcement and no surprises from Chair Powell. Otherwise, we could easily see a test or breakdown through the April lows in the S&P 500 today.

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