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To Pause or Not to Pause? That Is the Fed Question

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To Pause or Not to Pause? That Is the Fed Question: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • To Pause or Not to Pause? That is the Fed Question
  • Weekly Market Preview – Could Inflation Data Reintroduce Rate Hike Possibilities?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet – Wednesday’s CPI Report in Focus

Futures are tracking global equity markets lower this morning with rate-sensitive small caps and tech shares leading declines as bond yields continue higher on the back of Friday’s “hot” jobs report and new highs in the price of oil.

There were no economic reports overnight, however, the U.S. announced new curbs on AI-chip exports (specifically NVDA chips) which is pressuring mega-cap tech stocks in pre-market trade.

Today, there are a limited number of market catalysts as there are no noteworthy U.S. economic reports on the calendar and no Fed officials are scheduled to speak.

There are two Treasury auctions at 11:30 a.m. ET today (for 3-Month and 6-Month Bills) and given the hawkish reaction to Friday’s jobs data, their outcomes could impact stocks. Bottom line, if Treasury yields hold pre-market levels with the 10-Yr and 30-Yr both approaching 5%, stocks will have a very difficult time stabilizing today.

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Jobs Day (Abbreviated Jobs Report Preview)

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Jobs Day (Abbreviated Jobs Report Preview): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Day (Abbreviated Jobs Report Preview)
  • Are the Global Bond Markets Punishing the UK?

Futures are little changed as none of the economic data or central bank speak of the past 48 hours was impactful, so investors are focused on today’s jobs report it’s potential to move markets, especially if it’s “Too Hot.”

Economically, Euro Zone retail sales missed expectations, adding another lack luster data point to the growing list.

Today the major event is the jobs report and stakes for stocks are clear:  If this report is “Too Hot” and boosts fears the Fed has paused rate cuts, it’ll cause yields to rise and hit stocks, potentially hard.

Expectations for the report are as follows: 164K Job-Adds, 4.2% Unemployment Rate, 4.0% y/y Wage Growth.   An in-line to slightly weak number vs. expectations is the best-case scenario for markets this morning:

In addition to the jobs report we also get Consumer Sentiment (E: 74.5) and some notable earnings from DAL ($1.76), WBA ($0.37) and STZ ($3.34), but today is really all about the jobs report.

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This Is The Type Of Political Chaos Markets Fear

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This Is The Type Of Political Chaos Markets Fear: Sevens Report Editor, Tom Essaye, Quoted in Barron’s

Magnificent 7 Stocks Are Rising to End a Rough Week

Tom Essaye, founder of the Sevens Report, wrote on Friday that stocks weren’t down “because of the shutdown itself, but instead because this is the type of political chaos markets fear in a second Trump term.”

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on December 20th, 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.

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The Fed Provided A Legitimate Surprise

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The Fed Provided A Legitimate Surprise: Sevens Report Editor, Tom Essaye, Quoted in Barron’s

The Stock Market Needed a Washout. What Sentiment Says About What Comes Next.

The Sevens Report’s Tom Essaye notes that two things in particular caught investors offside. First, the shift to fewer rate cuts in 2025 means that the Fed will be less of a force for good in the market than it was heading into the meeting. The language of the statement also changed in a way that suggested rate cuts could be off the table completely next year. “Bottom line, the Fed provided a legitimate surprise,” he writes.

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on December 20th, 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.

Jobs Report Preview (Markets Closed Tomorrow)

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Jobs Report Preview (Markets Closed Tomorrow): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Report Preview
  • ISM Services PMI Takeaways – Strong Data Supports Hawkish Fed Stance
  • Chart – JOLTS Jump to Multi-Month High But Still Trending Lower

Futures were slightly higher earlier this morning as traders digested disappointing data out of Europe but volatility has picked up since CNN reported that Trump is weighing emergency measures to implement new tariffs programs.

Economically, German Manufacturing Orders plunged -5.4% vs. (E) 0.0% while EU Economic Sentiment fell 93.7 vs. (E) 95.7 and Eurozone PPI declined just -1.2% vs. (E) -2.5%.

Today, traders are likely to remain keenly focused on the early tariff headlines that have roiled futures in the pre-market. Any commentary from Trump that tamps down concerns about aggressive tariffs and the threat of global trade wars will help settle markets over the course of the day.

Additionally, there are two key labor market reports to watch today, the ADP Employment Report (E: 134K), and Jobless Claims (E: 216K). After yesterday’s “hot” ISM and JOLTS data, investors will want to see a return to “Goldilocks” data consistent with a cooling labor market to help temper the recent spike in yields and help stocks stabilize.

Finally, there is one Fed speaker early in the day: Waller (8:30 a.m. ET) and a 30-Yr Treasury Bond auction in the early afternoon (1:00 p.m. ET) that cold move yields, and in turn, impact equity markets (strong demand for the long bonds is the best outcome for stocks).

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What Does Wall Street Expect for 2025? (SPX Forecasts)

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What Does Wall Street Expect for 2025? (SPX Forecasts): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Does Wall Street Expect for 2025? (SPX Forecasts)
  • S&P Services PMI Takeaways – Slightly Hawkish

Futures are little changed this morning as global investors digest the solid rebound in stocks over the last two sessions amid largely as-expected economic data overnight.

Economically, Eurozone CPI met estimates with a 0.2% rise to 2.4% Y/Y in December while the EU Unemployment Rate held steady at 6.3%, also inline with expectations.

Today, market focus will be on economic data early with International Trade in Goods (E: $-77.6B), ISM Services PMI (E: 53.2), and JOLTS (E: 7.65 million) all due to be released this morning. The ISM report will be critical as a “hot” print is a risk to the early 2025 rally as it will support the case for a Fed “pause” in their rate cutting cycle and put upward pressure on yields.

There is also one Fed speaker who could shed light on FOMC policy plans (although that is not very likely): Barkin (8:00 a.m. ET).

Finally, there is a 10-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET and the results will be important to watch as yesterday’s weak 3-Yr Note auction contributed to the afternoon rise in yields that weighed on stocks. So, the best-case scenario outcome for stocks is a solid auction that turns yields lower, ideally with the 10-Yr yield falling back below 4.60%.

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Are Credit Spreads Confirming Stock Market Weakness?

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Are Credit Spreads Confirming Stock Market Weakness?: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Are Credit Spreads Confirming Stock Market Weakness?

Futures are slightly higher and are seeing a modest bounce following a generally quiet night of news.

Economically, the only notable number overnight was German Unemployment, which met expectations at 6.1%.

Politically, the House of Representatives will vote on a Speaker today and if Speaker Johnson fails to quickly win that election, it’ll be a market negative as it will raise doubts Republicans can actually pass tax cuts later in 2025.

Today is an important day for markets from a political perspective, it’s also important from an economic standpoint as we get the first of the “Big Three” monthly economic reports via the December ISM Manufacturing PMI (E: 48.5).  Markets will want to see that number in-line to slightly lower, as a much better than expected number will likely see a repeat of yesterday, as the dollar and yields should rise and this early rally in stocks should fade as investors reduce expectations for future rate cuts.  Goldilocks data is needed for this stock market dip to end.

Speaking of the Fed, we get our first two speakers of 2025 in Barkin (11:00 a.m. ET), and Daly (5:30 p.m. ET) although they shouldn’t move markets.

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Sentiment Update: Bullish Enthusiasm Reduced, But Not Eliminated

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Sentiment Update: Bullish Enthusiasm Reduced, But Not Eliminated: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Sentiment Update: Bullish Enthusiasm Reduced, But Not Eliminated

Futures are modestly lower, again in quiet trading, on disappointing Chinese economic data.

Chinese industrial profits declined –7.3%, contracting for the fourth consecutive month and reminding investors that while there’s been a lot of stimulus from Chinese officials, it will take time to impact the economy.

In Japan, economic data was better than expected as retail sales and industrial production beat estimates.

Today there are no notable economic reports and trading should be quiet.  That said, the 10-year yield will remain an influence on stocks.  The higher the yield goes, the more it’ll pressure stocks.

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A Likely Quiet Trading Day But With One Important Economic Report

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A Likely Quiet Trading Day But With One Important Economic Report: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

Futures are modestly lower in quiet trading following the Christmas holiday.

Economically, the only notable event overnight was “not hawkish” commentary by BOJ Governor Ueda, who was vague when speaking about future rate hikes (although markets do expect the BOJ to hike rates in 2025).

Most major global markets were closed for Christmas and will remain closed today, including major European markets and Hong Kong.

Given the numerous global market closures, trading should be quiet today.  That said, there is one notable economic report, Jobless Claims (E: 223K), and investors will want to see an in-line to slightly weak number that does not push back on any 2025 rate cut hopes.

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Can the Trump Trade Outperform in 2025?

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Can the Trump Trade Outperform in 2025?: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Can the Trump Trade Outperform in 2025?

Futures are sharply lower following another failed attempt at a short-term government funding agreement.

A Republican plan for a new short-term government funding agreement was soundly defeated in a House vote and a government shutdown starting today is looking likely.

Specifically, futures aren’t down because of the shutdown itself, but instead because this is the type of political chaos markets fear in a second Trump term (that hasn’t even officially started yet).

Today politics will dominate the headlines and any positive news towards a funding agreement will fuel a bounce, while no progress will continue to weigh on stocks.

Beyond Washington, however, there is an important economic report today, the Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.2% m/m, 2.9% y/y).  This is the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation and given the Fed’s hawkish decision on Wednesday, this number needs to come in at or under expectations, otherwise it’ll just add to the selling pressure.

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