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What Does the Hot CPI Report Mean for Markets

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What Does the Hot CPI Report Mean for Markets: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Does the Hot CPI Report Mean for Markets?
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are modestly lower and extending yesterdays’ declines ahead of more inflation readings and following disappointing Chinese economic data.

China’s CPI rose less than expected (0.1% vs. (E) 0.5%) and in China that’s a negative as deflation remains a major risk in that slow-growth economy.

Geopolitically, U.S. officials have warned about an imminent Iranian retaliation against Israel either directly or via proxy groups.

Today will be another busy day of events and following the hot CPI, today’s PPI (E: 0.3% m/m, 2.3% y/y) will be in focus. If it rises more than expected, look for higher yields and lower stock prices.  Conversely, if PPI is lower than expected it should deliver a bit of relief and potentially cause a bounce in stocks (and decline in yields).  Other notable events today include the ECB Rate Decision (E: No Change) and Jobless Claims (E: 215k).

Finally, there three Fed speakers today:  Williams (8:45 a.m.), Barkin (10:00 a.m.), Bostic (1:30 p.m.).  If they push back on rate cut hopes following yesterday’s CPI expect more pressure on stocks and if they are partially dismissive of it, expect a rebound.

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Hard vs. Soft Landing Scoreboard: More Signs of Slowing Growth

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Hard vs. Soft Landing Scoreboard: More Signs of Slowing Growth: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Hard Landing vs. Soft Landing Scoreboard: Still a Soft Landing But More Signs of Slowing Growth
  • Chart: Consumer Confidence Data Points to Slowing Growth

Futures are lower as traders continue to reposition following last week’s sprint to record highs while focus shifts ahead to tomorrow’s critical inflation data.

Economically, the headline of the Eurozone Economic Sentiment report fell to 95.4 vs. (E) 96.7 which didn’t help risk assets in pre-market trade.

Today, traders will be watching the release of Q4 GDP (E: 3.3%) and International Trade in Goods (E: -$88.1B) ahead of the bell. Any data that is not Goldilocks (or “Platinumlocks”) will likely keep stocks under pressure ahead of tomorrow’s PCE Price Index report.

Later in the day, there are several Fed speakers: Bostic (12:00 p.m. ET), Collins (12:15 p.m. ET), and Williams (12:45 p.m. ET). Bostic and Williams are on the FOMC, so their comments have the potential to move markets with tomorrow’s inflation data coming into view.

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What is the “Short Vol” Trade and How Is It Impacting Markets?

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What is the “Short Vol” Trade? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What is the “Short Vol” Trade and How Is It Impacting Markets?
  • An Important Trading Range to Watch
  • EIA Analysis:  A Bearish Report for Oil

Futures are slightly higher despite soft economic data and more earning guidance cuts.

UK monthly GDP declined –0.3% and the UK officially entered recession, although that’s also boosting rate cut expectations.

On earnings, both CSCO and DE cut guidance and both stocks are solidly lower pre-market.

Today is a very busy day of economic data and the data will likely determine if stocks extend yesterday’s rebound or give some of it back.

The key reports are, in order of importance:  Retail Sales (E: -0.1%), Jobless Claims (E: 219k), Philly Fed (E: -9.0), Empire Manufacturing Index (E: -12.5) and Industrial Production (E: 0.2%).  For Empire and Philly Fed, the price indices will be closely watched and if they show further substantial gains, expect that to push yields higher on inflation concerns.

There are also two Fed speakers today,  Waller (1:15 p.m. ET) and Bostic (7:00 p.m. ET), and Waller could move markets as he is part of Fed leadership.

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Explaining This Market Surge to Clients

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Explaining This Market Surge to Clients: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Explaining This Market Surge To Clients
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Why Bad Data is Now Bad for Stocks
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Does the Santa Rally Continue into Year-End?

Futures are modestly higher following a generally quiet weekend of news. The markets continue to digest the Fed’s dovish pivot and continued stock and bond rally.

Fed pushback on the market’s rate cut expectations continued over the weekend as Cleveland Fed’s Mester said markets were “a little bit ahead” of themselves expecting cuts in early 2024.

Economically, the only notable number was German Ifo Business Expectations, which slightly missed estimates.

Today the only notable economic number is the Housing Market Index (E:36) and if there’s weakness in this price index it’ll reinforce that broad inflation is continuing to decline and that will be a general positive for stocks and bonds.  Outside of the data, look for Fed officials to continue to push back on market rate cut expectations.  But, other than causing some temporary volatility, that shouldn’t impact markets beyond the short term (and won’t derail this rally).

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Why the Bar for the Fed to Be Hawkish Is High

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Why the Bar for the Fed to Be Hawkish Is High: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why the Bar for the Fed to Be Hawkish Is High
  • What the CPI Report Means for Markets

Futures are slightly higher despite soft economic data, as markets await the Fed decision later this afternoon.

Economically, data from the UK and the EU was bad and is slightly increasing growth concerns.   UK monthly GDP  and UK & EU Industrial Production all missed estimates.

Chinese growth concerns also rose as China declared industrial development as the #1 economic priority, potentially signaling less economic stimulus in 2024.

Today focus will be on the FOMC decision (2:00 p.m. ET, No change to rates expected) and the keys are the 2024 dot (does it show 50 bps of cuts?) and whether Powell slams the door on the idea of rate cuts (or leaves it slightly open).  In addition to the Fed, we also get another important inflation reading via PPI (E: 0.1% 1.0%). A further decline will be peripherally positive for markets.

Annual Discounts on Sevens Report, Alpha, Quarterly Letter, and Technicals.

We’ve been contacted by advisor subscribers who wanted to use the remainder of their 2023 pre-tax research budgets to extend their current subscriptions, upgrade to an annual (and get a month free) or add a new product (Alpha, Quarterly Letter, Technicals).

If you have unused pre-tax research dollars, we offer month-free discounts on all our products. If you would like to extend current subscriptions or save money by upgrading to an annual subscription, please email info@sevensreport.com.

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Small Cracks in the Three Pillars of the Rally?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Small Cracks in the Three Pillars of the Rally?
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Can the Ideas of A Dovish Fed and Economic Soft-Landing Power Stocks to 2023 Highs?
  • Weekly Economic Preview:  Key Inflation and Growth Data This Week

Futures are slightly lower after a mostly quiet weekend as Chinese growth worries offset geo-political positives.

Chinese industrial profit growth slowed to 2.7% in Oct vs. 11.9% in Sept and that data combined with news of a quickly spreading respiratory illness in China is weighing on growth expectations.

Geo-politically, the Israel-Hamas cease fire will likely be extended several days and that’s easing geo-political tensions and oil is falling as a result (down more than 1%).

This week contains several potentially important catalysts on inflation and economic growth, but they come later in the week. So, focus today will be on holiday spending commentary and New Home Sales (E: 721k).  Positive commentary on spending and Goldilocks data would help support stocks.

Three Pillars of the Rally?

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November Market Multiple Table Update

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November Market Multiple Table Update: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Table – November Update

Stock futures are modestly lower following hawkish Fed speak from Kashkari late yesterday, a dovish rate hike from the RBA overnight, and downbeat economic data overseas.

Economically, Chinese Exports fell -6.4% vs. (E) -3.0% and German Industrial Production declined -3.9% vs. (E) -3.2%. This underscores global recession risks are still very much present despite increased hopes for a “soft landing.”

Looking into today’s session, there are two economic reports to watch: International Trade (E: -$60.3B) and Consumer Credit (E: $10.0B). However, neither are very widely followed and it would take significant surprises in the data to meaningfully move markets.

That will leave investors primarily focused on a busy schedule of Fed speakers: Barr, Waller, Williams, and Logan. As well as a 3-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET.

Specifically, if Fed officials push back on the markets dovish reaction to last week’s FOMC meeting and/or we see weak demand in the Treasury auction this afternoon sending yields back higher, that will dampen sentiment and likely cause a pullback in stocks today.

Earnings season is winding down but there are a few notable releases to watch today including: UBER ($0.13), DHI ($3.90), and EBAY ($1.04).

multiple

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Why Didn’t Powells’ Comments Cause A Rally?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Didn’t Powells’ Comments Cause A Rally?

Futures are modestly lower as global economic data pointed to slowing growth and falling inflation pressures.

German PPI declined more than expected (-0.2% vs. (E) 0.4%). While UK Retail Sales were weak (-0.9% vs. (E) -0.1%) pointing to slowing growth and lower inflation.

Politically, there remains no end in sight to Republicans’ efforts to elect a Speaker, as Jim Jordan is expected to seek a third round of voting (one he is likely to lose, again).

Today there are no economic reports but there are two Fed speakers, Harker (9:00 a.m. ET) and Mester (12:15 p.m. ET), although given Powell’s comments yesterday neither should move markets.

So, trading today will be dominated by politics, geopolitics and yields.  Any progress on finding a Speaker of the House will be welcomed by market (regardless of whether it’s Jordan, McHenry or anyone else), any calming of tensions in the Middle East will similarly be welcomed by markets as would a decline in the 10-year yield.  Meanwhile, the opposite of any of those will likely add more headwinds to stocks.

Why Didn’t Powells’ Comments Cause A Rally?

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Why Markets Are Resilient Despite Geopolitical Risks

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Why Markets Are Resilient Despite Geopolitical Risks: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Markets Are Resilient Despite Geopolitical Risks
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Will Powell Signal Rate Hikes Are Over?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Can Economic Growth Stay Strong?

Futures are slightly higher as the weekend brought no major changes to the current macroeconomic set up.

Geo-politically, an invasion of Gaza by Israel remains imminent but so far the conflict hasn’t expanded regionally and oil is little changed as a result.

Economically, inflation in India declined –0.25% vs. (E) 0.50%, reinforcing that inflation is declining globally.

Today focus will be on the October Empire Manufacturing Survey (E: -5.0) and markets will want to see “Goldilocks” data that largely meets expectations combined with declines in the price indices.  We also get one Fed speaker today, Harker (10:30 a.m. ET & 4:30 p.m. ET), and one notable earnings report, SCHW ($0.75), but barring any major surprises they shouldn’t move markets.

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Is There an Opportunity in Defensive Sectors?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Have Defensive Sectors Traded So Poorly and Is There an Opportunity There?
  • Chart: 10-Yr Treasury Note Futures Imply Potential Reversal Lower in Benchmark Yields

U.S. stock futures are tracking global equity markets higher this morning. As investors welcome a sizeable drop in bond yields and new stimulus plans by China.

Bloomberg reported overnight that China may issue 1T yuan in debt to be used for infrastructure projects in order to help the economy meet the government’s annual growth targets. The news is alleviating some lingering concerns about the health of the world’s second-largest economy.

There are no economic reports today which will leave the market focused on more Fed speakers: Bostic, Waller, Kashkari, and Daly, and the subsequent reaction from bond markets.

Additionally, the Treasury will hold auctions for 3 and 6-month Bills at 11:30 a.m. ET and 3-Yr Notes at 1:00 p.m. ET that could impact yields.

Bottom line, the rise in Treasury futures (implying lower yields) yesterday when bond markets were closed for Columbus Day was a major factor supporting the rally in stocks, and how yields move today as fixed income markets open for the week will likely dictate the price action in stocks.

Is There an Opportunity in Defensive Sectors?

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