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“Good, bad and ugly” outcomes for the April consumer-price index reading.

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“Good, bad and ugly” outcomes for the April consumer-price index reading: Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research, Quoted in Morningstar

Stock market could suffer ‘ugly’ day if April CPI comes in above this level

Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research, took a look Tuesday at potential “good, bad and ugly” outcomes for the April consumer-price index reading.

So what would provoke an ugly reaction? Essaye puts the threshold at 3.9%.

A core reading at or above that threshold would be likely to spark a “solid selloff,” further entrenching the idea that inflation remains sticky and rates will be higher for longer, Essaye wrote. That has the potential of undoing much of the rally seen over the last two weeks, as investors would likely scale back rate-cut expectations, penciling in just one cut in December.

Also, click here to view the full MarketWatch article published on Morningstar on May 14th, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

Oil Inventories

Lastly, If 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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Even a small bout of stagflation would result in a 10%-20% decline in stocks

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Even a small bout of stagflation would result in a 10%-20% decline in stocks: Tom Essaye Quoted in MarketWatch

The economy could be heading toward 1970s-style stagflation. What it means for the stock market.

 “Stagflation doesn’t have to be as bad as it was in the 1970s, but for a stock market that’s trading above 21 times earnings, the truth is that even a small bout of stagflation would result in a 10%-20% decline in stocks,” said Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research, in a Monday note.

“Of course, comparing this period to the 1970s, where GDP growth was flat or negative and CPI was running more than 10%, [Powell’s] absolutely right [that] there is no stagflation,” said Essaye. But he added that it’s somewhat “dismissive” to say that just because things aren’t as bad as they were in the 1970s, any talk of stagflation is unwarranted.

“In an absolute sense,” economic growth is not at levels that would imply stagflation — but data releases are becoming “more conclusive that economic momentum is slowing,” Essaye said. “While stagnation isn’t here yet, the data is showing a greater chance of it occurring than any time in the last year and a half.”

Also, click here to view the full MarketWatch article published on May 13th, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

If 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.

Short vs. Long Term Market Outlook (Is Falling Inflation & Slowing Growth Good for Stocks?)

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Short vs. Long Term Market Outlook: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Short vs. Long Term Market Outlook (Is Falling Inflation & Slowing Growth Good for Stocks?)
  • EIA Update and Oil Market Analysis

Futures are little changed as market digest Wednesday’s new high amidst more dovish global data.

Japanese GDP (-0.5% vs. (E) -0.4%), Aussie Unemployment (4.1% vs. (E) 3.9%) and Italian HICP (their CPI, 0.9% vs. (E) 1.0% y/y) all pointed towards falling inflation and slowing global growth, which investors welcome (for now).

Today is a busy day full of data and Fed speak.  Broadly speaking, if the data/Fed speak is dovish and Treasury yields drop, it’ll extend the rally.

Notable economic data today includes (in order of importance):  Jobless Claims (E: 219K), Philly Fed (E: 7.8), Industrial Production (E: 0.1%) and Housing Starts (E: 1.435MM).

On the Fed, there are numerous speakers including:  Barr (10:00 a.m. ET), Barkin (10:00 a.m. ET), Harker (10:30 a.m. ET), Mester (12:00 p.m. ET), Bostic (3:50 p.m. ET).  But, unless they all start talking about rate hikes (very unlikely), their commentary shouldn’t move markets.

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CPI Preview: Good, Bad, & Ugly

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CPI Preview: Good, Bad, & Ugly: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Thoughts on the Meme-Stock Revival
  • CPI Preview: Good, Bad, & Ugly
  • Chart – NY Fed’s Consumer Survey Contains Hot Inflation Print

Global markets are little changed this morning as traders digest mostly better-than-expected economic data from Europe and await today’s PPI report and commentary from Fed Chair Powell.

“Meme stocks” GME and AMC are notably up 58% and 64%, respectively, in pre-market trading this morning (more on that in today’s report).

Economically, German CPI met estimates at 2.2% y/y while Economic Sentiment in the German ZEW came in at 47.1 vs. (E) 45.0. Domestically, the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index beat with a headline of 89.7 vs. (E) 88.3 but the data is having a limited impact on markets this morning.

Looking into today’s session, focus will be on PPI (E: 0.3% m/m, 2.2% y/y) and Core PPI (E: 0.2% m/m, 2.3% y/y) due out at 8:30 a.m. ET. A “hot” print would spark hawkish, risk-off money flows while a cooler-than-expected report could see the S&P 500 test all-time-highs as CPI whisper numbers are dialed back.

Finally, there are a handful of Fed speakers today including Cook (9:10 a.m. ET) ahead of the bell and Schmid (8:15 p.m. ET) later this evening. Most importantly though, Powell will speak at 10:00 a.m. ET and if he is more hawkish than two weeks ago at the May FOMC meeting, that will put upward pressure on rates and weigh, potentially heavily, on stocks.

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Is Gasoline Demand Another Economic Warning Sign?

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Is Gasoline Demand Another Economic Warning Sign? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is Gasoline Demand Another Economic Warning Sign?
  • Did Earnings Season Change the Market Outlook?

Futures are solidly higher thanks to continued momentum from Thursday’s rally following a quiet night of news.

Economically, UK data was stronger than expected (GDP and Industrial Production beat estimates) but it’s not changing BOE June rate cut assumptions.

Today there is just one notable economic report, the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index (E: 77.0) and the key parts of that release will be the 1-Yr Inflation Expectations (E: 3.2%) and the 5-Yr. Inflation Expectations (E: 3.0%).  If both of those numbers are higher than expected, it’ll be another negative signal on inflation and don’t be surprised if Treasury yields rise in response to them and stocks give back these early gains.

In addition to that one economic report, we also get numerous Fed speakers today including: Bowman (9:00 a.m. ET), Logan (10:00 a.m. ET), Kashkari (10:00 a.m. ET), Goolsbee (12:45 p.m. ET) and Barr (1:30 p.m. ET).  However, unless one of them explicitly advocates for rate hikes, they shouldn’t move markets.

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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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Threat of More Rate Hikes? (FOMC Preview)

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Threat of More Rate Hikes? (FOMC Preview): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • FOMC Preview – The Fed Could Threaten Rate Hikes
  • Chart – S&P 500: Support, Resistance, and a Downside Target of 4,785
  • BOJ Yen Intervention Update: Not a Market Negative Yet

Futures are lower following mixed international economic data overnight while solid earnings by Samsung Electronics is helping offset negative earnings from European car makers.

In Asia, Chinese PMI data and Australian Retail Sales were net negative, but Eurozone core inflation favorably cooled and GDP firmed easing stagflation worries in Europe.

Today, the busy week of economic data begins with the Employment Cost Index (E: 0.9% q/q), Case-Shiller Home Price Index (E: 0.1%), and Consumer Confidence (E: 104.0) as the Fed meeting gets underway.

Earnings season also remains in full swing with PYPL ($1.24), MCD ($2.70), MMM ($2.08), and KO ($0.69) reporting before the bell and AMZN ($0.81), AMD ($0.61), and SMCI ($5.79) releasing results after the bell.

Bottom line, being the end of the month and the start of the Fed meeting, trader positioning should keep markets relatively quiet today as tomorrow’s FOMC decision looms, but if any of the data comes in “too hot” or “too cold,” expect an uptick in volatility.

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Why Stocks Have Really Pulled Back

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Why Stocks Have Really Pulled Back: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Stocks Have Really Pulled Back
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Will the Fed and Growth Data Make the Pullback Worse This Week?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  A Very Busy Week (Fed Wednesday, Jobs Report Friday)

Futures are slightly higher following a mostly quiet weekend of news as markets digest last week’s gains ahead of a busy and important week of catalysts.

Economically, Spanish Core HICP (their CPI) rose 2.9% vs. (E) 3.3% y/y, offering a positive note on inflation.

Geo-politically, Secretary of State Blinken is in the Mid-East to push for another Gaza ceasefire and oil is down slightly in response.

Looking forward, this is a very busy and important week filled with numerous potential catalysts including Wednesday’s Fed decision and Friday’s jobs report, but the week starts slowly from a data standpoint as there are no notable reports today.

On earnings, we get some important updates from semiconductor companies today and reports we’re watching include: ON ($1.04), NXPI ($3.16), SOFI ($0.01).

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