Posts

ECB Decision Takeaways (Not as Dovish as Hoped)

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • ECB Decision Takeaways (Not as Dovish as Hoped)

Futures are moderately lower following disappointing AAPL and AMZN earnings combined with hotter than expected headline inflation from Europe.

On earnings, AAPL and AMZN both underwhelmed investors and those stocks fell 3% and 5% after hours and the sheer weight of those names in the S&P 500 is weighing on the entire index.

On inflation, EU HICP rose to 4.1% vs. (E) 3.7%, a nearly 20-year high.

Focus today will be on inflation, as we get the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge via the Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.2%, 3.7%) and the Employment Cost Index (E: 0.9%).  Both numbers will be high, but markets will want to see hints of a plateau in inflation.  We also get Consumer Sentiment (E: 71.4) and the inflation expectations component will also be closely monitored.

On the earnings front, focus will be on the following results: XOM ($1.57), CVX ($2.21), CL ($0.79).

Earnings and Tax Clarity but Fed Uncertainty?

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Earnings and Tax Clarity but Fed Uncertainty?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Key Inflation Data on Friday
  • Weekly Market Preview:  The Most Important Week for Earnings

Futures are slightly higher following a quiet weekend and ahead of the most important week of earnings season.

Regarding Fed tapering, Powell’s comments on Friday were taken as slightly hawkish, but the consensus outlook remains a November taper at $15 bln/month.

There was no notable news/progress from Washington over the weekend on the debt ceiling/spending bill.

Today there are no notable economic reports or Fed speakers (they’re entering the “quiet period” ahead of next week’s meeting).  So, focus will be on any updates from Washington on whether or not we get tax hikes and on earnings, although the vast majority of the biggest companies report later in the week.  Some reports to watch today include  FB ($3.20), LOGI ($1.14), OTIS ($0.73), and KMB ($1.66).

Why the Fed Could Hike Rates Sooner than Expected

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Economic Breaker Panel – Why The Fed Could Hike Rates Sooner than Expected
  • Oil Market Update and EIA Analysis

Futures are modestly lower as markets digest the recent bounce following disappointing earnings overnight.

Earnings overnight were negative on balance as IBM missed on revenues while TSLA, LVS, and PPG also posted disappointing results and saw selling afterhours.

Today focus will be on economic data and earnings.  On the data front, the key reports will be Jobless Claims (E: 300K), Philly Fed Manufacturing Index (E: 25.0), and Existing Home Sales (E: 6.030M), and markets will want to see stability in the data (so not too hot and not too cold).  We also get two Fed speakers, Waller (9:00 a.m. ET) and Williams (9:00 p.m. ET).

On the earnings front, results have become more mixed lately so markets will continue to focus closely on earnings.  Some reports we’re watching today include: T ($0.78), AAL (-$1.04), FCX ($0.78), LUV (-$0.27), SNAP ($0.08), INTC ($1.11) and WHR ($6.16).  As has been the case, strong margins amid rising costs will be the key metric in the results.

Earnings in Focus

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Bottom Line – Earnings in Focus
  • Charts: 10-Year Yield Meets Resistance, Global Inflation on the Rise

U.S. stock futures are pointing to a higher open today as bond markets remain largely steady and investors continue to focus on the solid start to Q3 earnings season.

There were no notable economic reports or market-moving headlines overnight.

Looking into today’s session, there is one economic report to watch: Housing Starts (E: 1.621M) and several Fed officials are scheduled to speak: Daly (8:00 a.m. ET), Harker (8:50 a.m. ET), and Bostic (1:00 p.m. & 2:50 p.m. ET). But as long as there are no major, hawkish shifts in tone by the Fed speakers, the market impact should be limited with the focus increasingly on earnings.

On the earnings front, we will get results from JNJ ($2.37), PG ($1.59), BK ($1.02), TRV ($2.04), SYF ($1.43) ahead of the bell, and then NFLX ($2.56), and UAL (-$1.65) after the close. The important thing investors will be looking for is any new insight on the impact of inflation and margin compression on earnings and importantly forward guidance.

Follow Up to “How Does the Rally Ultimately End?”

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Follow Up to “How Does The Rally Ultimately End?”

Futures are modestly higher mostly on momentum from Thursday’s earnings-driven rally.

Alcoa (AA) was the only notable earnings report overnight but like most reports on Thursday, it beat estimates.  While it’s very, very early in earnings season, so far the results are better than feared and that’s driving the rally.

Today is another busy day of economic data, Fed speak, and earnings.  Economically, the three key reports are Retail Sales (E: -0.1%), Empire State Manufacturing Index (E: 25.0), and Consumer Sentiment (E: 74.0).  Markets will want to see stability in the first two, and the focus will be on inflation expectations in the third (they need to stay close to last month’s readings).

On the earnings front, we have three notable reports today:  GS ($9.78), PNC ($3.64), JBHT ($1.77), and we also get two Fed speakers, Bullard (11:45 a.m. ET) and Williams (12:20 p.m. ET), with the latter being the more important of the two.

How Does This Rally Ultimately End?

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • How Does This Rally Ultimately End?

Futures are solidly higher following slightly underwhelming inflation data and better than expected earnings.

Chinese CPI rose 0.7% vs. (E) 0.8%, implying inflation pressures may be peaking.

On earnings, TSM beat estimates and upped guidance and that’s helping to lift stocks.

Today there are two notable economic reports, Jobless Claims (E: 320K) and PPI (0.5%, 8.7%) and markets will want to see claims continue to fall and PPI remain generally stable.  We also have multiple Fed speakers today including: Bullard (8:35 a.m. ET), Bostic (9:00 a.m. ET), Barkin & Williams (1:00 p.m. ET) and Harker (6:00 p.m. ET).  Their tone will likely be to reinforce that tapering is happening this year (as the market expects) but that shouldn’t move markets.

Finally, on the earnings front, some important results we’ll be watching today include:  TSM ($1.03), BAC ($0.71), WFC ($1.03), C ($1.82), UNH ($4.41), MS ($1.70), WBA ($1.03 and AA ($1.85).  If inflation is better than expected, that will help stocks rally.

Tom Essaye Interviewed by TD Ameritrade Network on October 11, 2021

/in , /by

Takeaways From Recent Market Volatility

This week will give insight into when the Fed might start tapering, says Tom Essaye, Founder of The Sevens Report. Click here to watch the full interview.

Jobs Report Preview

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is a Debt Ceiling Deal a Bullish Catalyst?
  • Jobs Report Preview
  • EIA Data Takeaways and Oil Update

Stock futures are trading higher with global shares this morning as investors cheer the likely deal to extend the debt ceiling while falling energy prices, particularly in Europe, are helping ease broader inflation concerns.

Economically, German Industrial Production for August was very disappointing with a -4.0% headline drop in August (E: -0.4%) however the data is not materially moving markets this morning.

Looking into today’s session, there is just one economic report to watch: Jobless Claims (E: 348K), but a meaningful beat or miss in the headline could cause a hawkish or dovish reaction in markets ahead of tomorrow’s September jobs report.

Additionally, there are a few central bank events that could move markets: ECB Minutes (7:30 a.m. ET) and Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester speaks (11:45 a.m. ET).

Beyond those potential catalysts, markets will remain focused on the debt ceiling negotiations in Washington and bond yields. And as long as there is not material deterioration in the former or a major resurgence higher in the latter, then stocks should be able to maintain yesterday’s upside momentum.

Why Did Stocks Drop Again?

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Are Stocks Dropping Again? (Three Reasons)
  • Chart: 10-Year Treasury Yield

Stock futures are rebounding from yesterday’s sharp losses this morning as bond yields pullback with the 10-year dipping below 1.50% overnight, easing valuation concerns.

Regarding Evergrande, the company’s stock rallied 15% overnight as the developer announced the partial sale of a regional bank stake that will result in $1.5B in cash.

Looking into today’s session there is one economic report: Pending Home Sales Index (E: 0.9%) but it should not move markets.

That will leave traders focused on a busy day of Fed chatter: Harker (9:00 a.m. ET), Powell (11:45 a.m. ET), Daly (1:00 p.m. ET), Bostic (2:00 p.m. ET), and Williams (5:00 p.m. ET).

Bottom line, the bond market has been a major driver of equity flows this week and if yields continue to pullback as they did overnight, then a rebound in the major stock indexes is likely however a retest of yesterday’s highs would result in another uptick in volatility.

What’s Expected from Washington This Week?

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What’s Expected/Priced In This Week from Washington?
  • Durable Goods Orders – Takeaways
  • Energy Update: Fundamentals, Technicals, and Momentum All Favor the Bulls

U.S. equity futures are decidedly lower this morning as Treasury yields continue this week’s surge higher. The 10-year note yield topped 1.52% in overnight trading which is weighing heavily on high valuation tech names today.

From a catalyst standpoint, today is lining up to be a busy day with a slew of economic data due to be released: International Trade in Goods (E: -$87.0B), Case-Shiller Home Price Index (E: 1.6%), FHFA Home Price Index (E: 1.5%), and Consumer Confidence (E: 114.8).

Of those releases, the market will be most interested in whether or not Consumer Confidence can stabilize following the disappointing August print.

There is a 7-Year Treasury Note action at 1:00 p.m. ET and given how much bonds are influencing stocks so far this week, the results could impact equity markets (strong demand would help stabilize stocks, weak demand would likely see losses extended).

Finally, there are multiple Fed speakers today including: Evans (9:00 a.m. ET), Powell (10:00 a.m. ET), Bullard (1:40 & 7:00 p.m. ET), and Bostic (3:00 p.m. ET). Focus will clearly be on Powell and any insight he may provide regarding inflation expectations and the Fed’s plans to react.

Bottom line, the stock market is being driven by the bond market this week and if we see bonds continue to drop (yields spike higher) then that will result in further underperformance by growth stocks and drag the broader market lower while stabilization in yields would likely allow for a rebound.

 

Sevens Report Q3 Quarterly Letter Coming October 1st.

The Q3 2021 Quarterly Letter will be delivered to advisor subscribers on Friday, October 1st.

With Fed tapering, Washington budget battles and possible tax hikes looming, Q4 could be the most volatile of the year. Our quarterly letter will help you set the right expectations for clients so they aren’t blindsided by any market volatility.

You can view our Q2 ’21 Quarterly Letter here.