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Is An Underwhelming CPI Report A Bullish Gamechanger?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is An Underwhelming CPI Report A Bullish Gamechanger?
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are slightly lower following Wednesday’s rally and ahead of this morning’s CPI report.

Governments and central banks pushed back a bit overnight on the global hawkish narrative as the European Commission predicted inflation would return to 1.7% yoy in 2023 while the Swedish National Bank was dovish in its commentary (no rate hikes or QT anytime soon).

Economic data was sparse overnight although Chinese money supply did beat estimates, reflecting the continued accommodation in that economy.

Today the key event is the CPI Report (E: 0.5% m/m and 7.3% y/y) and an in-line or smaller than expected increase will likely spur a further rally in stocks as markets try and price in a “not as hawkish as feared” Fed (although we’d be skeptical of that rally – more on that in the Report).  We also get Jobless Claims (E: 230K) and one Fed speaker this evening: Barkin at 7:00 p.m. ET.

February Inflation Expectations Update

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Inflation Expectations Update: February 2022

Stock futures are solidly higher this morning after another mostly quiet night of news as tech shares rise amid falling bond yields ahead of tomorrow’s CPI report.

There were no market-moving economic reports overnight and no data is due to be released in the U.S. today.

With no economic data on the calendar, the focus will be on Fed speakers: Bowman (10:30 a.m. ET) and Mester (12:00 p.m. ET) as well as a 10-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET.

There are also a few notable companies due to release earnings today including: TEVA ($0.70), UBER (-$0.33), and DIS ($0.57).

Bottom line, the market remains keenly focused on inflation right now and with bond yields pulling back from recent highs, stocks are enjoying a renewed relief rally that could extend higher today as long as yields don’t reverse back towards recent highs.

Tom Essaye Quoted in Investing.com on February 3, 2022

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Asian Stocks Mixed, Recovery from $250B Meta Wipeout Continues

The looming jobs report is a reminder that expectations for Fed policy are the key influence on this market right now…Tom Essaye, a former Merrill Lynch trader who founded The Sevens Report newsletter, told Bloomberg. Click here to read the full article.

Tom Essaye Quoted in Blockworks on January 31, 2022

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Bitcoin, Stocks Rebound to End Month, But Sell Off May Continue, Analysts Warn

For stocks to stabilize and rebound, they need one, the Fed to stop providing hawkish surprises. Two, inflation data to peak and recede. And three, economic data to remain firm to…said Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research. Click here to read the full article.

Why Inflation is the Key Variable Going Forward

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Inflation Is the Key Variable Going Forward
  • Weekly Market Preview:  More Clarity on Fed Rate Hikes This Week?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  CPI Thursday, Inflation Expectations Friday.

Futures are slightly lower following a quiet weekend as investors digested the strong jobs report and last weeks’ hawkish surprises from the ECB and BOE.

ECB officials downplayed the idea of a summer rate hike over the weekend but didn’t rule out a hike in 2022 (largely confirming the hawkish commentary from Lagarde).

Economic data remained mixed as China’s Caixin services PMI beat estimates (51.4 vs. (E) 50.5) but German Industrial Production missed expectations (-0.3% vs. (E) 0.4%) although the data isn’t moving markets.

Today should be a generally quiet day, as from a market influence standpoint all the really important companies have released earnings, so earnings season is “over” for all intents and purposes.  Additionally, there’s only one notable economic report, Consumer Credit ($21.0 bln), but given the strength of personal balance sheets that shouldn’t move markets today.  On the geo-political front, French President Macron travels to Moscow to meet with Putin about Ukraine, and any positive headlines could produce a mild tailwind on stocks.

Market Multiple Table: February Update

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Table: February Update

Stock futures swung between gains and losses overnight as the sizeable two-day rally to end January is being digested while most global equity markets rallied to start the month of February.

Economically, the EU unemployment rate fell to 7.0% vs. (E) 7.2% but final Manufacturing PMIs were disappointing. None of the data is materially impacting markets this morning, however.

Looking into the U.S. session, there are a few economic reports to watch today: ISM Manufacturing Index (E: 57.5), Construction Spending (E: 0.7%), and JOLTS (10.5 million) while no Fed officials are scheduled to speak.

We are getting into the heart of earnings season and there are some notable companies releasing Q4 results today including: UPS ($3.11), and XOM ($1.96) before the open and then PYPL ($1.13), AMD ($0.76), GOOGL ($26.69), GM ($1.15) and SBUX ($0.80) after the close.

Bottom line, near-term momentum continues to favor the bulls right now and this relief rally can continue if economic data is inline or slightly better than estimates (not too hot), earnings remain positive, and Fed policy expectations continue to get less hawkish.

Why the Bounce Can Continue (But Volatility Isn’t Over)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Stocks Can Bounce Further (But Volatility Isn’t Over)
  • Technical Update:  Important Support and Resistance Levels to Watch
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Jobs Report Friday

Futures are slightly lower following a quiet weekend as markets digested last week’s volatility and Friday’s rally.

Atlanta Fed President Bostic was encouraged by Friday’s inflation data and expected three hikes this year, which is less hawkish than the current market expectation.

China’s manufacturing PMI slightly best estimates at 51.1 vs. (E) 51.0, further implying that economy is stabilizing.

There are no economic reports today, but there are two Fed speakers, Daly (11:30 a.m. ET) and George (12:40 p.m. ET) and if they echo Bostic’s “not as hawkish as expected” commentary from this weekend, then stocks can extend the rally.

On the earnings front, most of the big reports come later this week (FB, GOOGL, AMZN) but after the close today, we get NXPI ($2.98) and markets will be focused on chip availability, and if there’s positive commentary there that could be another tailwind on this market.

Tom Essaye Quoted by Switzer Daily on January 28, 2022

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Why are stocks slumping and why am I not worried?

The Fed is serious about raising rates, that’s going to continue to … keep markets volatile…Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report, said in a note. Click here to read the full article.

Why Aren’t TIPS Rising?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Aren’t TIPS Rising?
  • What Could Send 10’s-2’s Closer to Inversion?

Futures are slightly lower as markets continue to digest Wednesday’s Fed decision (50 bps in March or five hikes in 2022) amidst mixed earnings results.

AAPL posted better than expected earnings and the stock was up 3% overnight, but overall results continue to be mixed and that’s contributing to market volatility.

Today’s focus will be on important inflation data and the reason is clear:  If the inflation data is materially stronger than estimates, that will only encourage the Fed to get more hawkish/unpredictable, and that will add to the headwinds on stocks.  The key inflation numbers to watch today are: Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.5%, 4.8%), Employment Cost Index: (E: 1.2%, 4.1%), and the Inflation Expectations in the 10:00 a.m. Consumer Sentiment Index.

We also get some notable earnings today, including CAT ($2.22), CVX ($3.10), SYC ($1.47), and CL ($0.79).  But, barring a major disappointment, they shouldn’t move markets.

What the Fed Decision Means for Markets

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What The Fed Decision Means for Markets (50 bps in March and/or five hikes in ’22)
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are little changed and recouped modest losses earlier this morning, as global markets digest yesterday’s Fed decision and mixed earnings.

Economic data was sparse as German Gfk Consumer Climate and UK Distributive Trades both slightly beat estimates.

Today will be a busy day of data and earnings and generally speaking markets need solid data and good earnings/guidance to help this market continue to stabilize.  Some reports we’re watching include: Jobless Claims (E: 265K), Durable Goods (E: -0.5%), Initial Q4 ‘21 GDP (5.7%) and Pending Home Sales (E :0.6%).

On the earnings front, the key report today is AAPL ($1.89) after the close, but other reports we’re watching include: MA ($2.19), MCD ($2.31), JBLU (-$0.40), LUV ($0.05), VLO ($1.69), SHW ($1.35), V ($1.69).