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Market Multiple Table: May Update

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Table – May Update (Unbranded PDF Available on Request)
  • Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey

Stock futures are lower this morning after soft economic data overseas and growing angst about the debt ceiling.

Chinese merchandise trade data for April revealed a -7.9% drop in imports vs. (E) -0.2% which has poured some cold water on hopes for a strong recovery in the world’s second largest economy.

In the U.S., the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index came in at 89.0 vs. (E) 89.7 for the month of April but the release is not materially moving markets this morning. There are no additional economic reports today.

There are two Fed officials scheduled to speak today: Jefferson (8:30 a.m. ET) and Williams (12:05 p.m. ET) as well as a 3-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET, all of which have the potential to impact markets in intraday trade.

With increasing focus on the debt ceiling, investors will be keenly focused on today’s meeting between President Biden and Congressional leadership as hopes for a delay to September are building and any disappointment of those hopes could result in volatility across asset classes.

The Fed Pivoted, So Now What?

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Sevens Report Technicals First Issue Today (Delivered to subscribers later this morning)
  • The Fed Pivoted, So Now What?
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Will there be any debt ceiling progress, and does disinflation resume?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  CPI on Wednesday is the key report this week.

Futures are slightly higher following a mostly quiet weekend of news as markets look ahead to Wednesday’s CPI.

News was slightly positive on the debt ceiling over the weekend, as reports indicate the White House will try to negotiate a short term debt ceiling extension (to the end of September).  However, it remains uncertain if even this short-term deal can get done before the “X” date.

Economically, German Industrial Production missed estimates (-3.4% vs. (E) -1.5%) but that’s not moving markets.

Today there are no notable economic reports but there is a potentially important release at 2:00 p.m. via the Bank Senior Loan Office Survey.  Markets (and the Fed) are nervous the regional bank stress will curtail lending and put a bigger headwind on the economy.  If the loan officer survey reflects that reality (a drop in bank lending) it could cause volatility as that would increase the chances of a potential hard landing.

 

Sevens Report Technicals – First Issue Being Delivered To Trial Period Subscribers This Morning!

We have been thrilled with the response to our new research offering: Sevens Report Technicals and we are very excited to deliver the first official issue later this morning. Sevens Report Technicals will be similar in appearance to the special technical report we sent out two weeks ago, which you can view here.

This new report will offer a “deep dive” into the technical dynamics of all of the asset classes we cover in the daily Sevens Report including:

  • A “Top-Down” Technical View
  • Dow Theory Update
  • Key Levels to Watch Across Asset Classes
  • A Dynamic Equity Sector “Dashboard”
  • A Deep Dive Into Treasury Market Trends
  • Market Volatility Observations and Takeaways

During this launch phase we continue to offer an additional month free on any quarterly ($75 discount) or annual ($150 discount) subscription. With a one month “Grace Period” during which you can receive a full refund for any reason, you take no risk trying Sevens Report Technicals. We are confident that you will find the research a perfect complement to your business or investment process.

To start your risk-free trial subscription, please send an email to info@sevensreport.com. To learn more about Sevens Report Technicals, click this link.

Market Multiple Table: March Update

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Table – March Update (Printable PDF Available)
  • February CPI Takeaways
  • Breakdown in the Energy Markets: Oil Update

Markets are trading with a risk-off tone this morning amid renewed worries about the global banking system.

Credit Suisse’s 2022 annual report revealed “material weaknesses” but the bank’s chairman ruled out government assistance while the largest shareholder, the Saudi National Bank, said further financing was not an option. The negative news flow has sent Credit Suisse shares down more than 20% to a new record low this morning and that is dragging global bank stocks lower and weighing heavily on sentiment.

Economic data overnight was mostly better than expected with Housing Sales in China notably rising more than expected while the PBOC injected more liquidity into he system than anticipated, both of which helped bolster Asian markets overnight.

Looking into today’s session, focus will be on economic data early with PPI (E: 0.3%, 5.4%), Retail Sales (E: -0.3%), the Empire State Manufacturing Index (E: -7.7), and the Housing Market Index (E: 41) all due out this morning.

Regarding the data, markets want to see a further decline in inflation metrics and more slowing in growth readings to help shore up less hawkish Fed expectations, however, focus will also remain on the banking sector and if banks can’t stabilize and start to rebound broadly, the major indexes are going to have a hard time finding their own footing today.

Sevens Report Co-Editor, Tyler Richey, Quoted in MarketWatch on March 8th, 2023

Oil marks back-to-back losses after Fed’s Powell sparks selloff

Powell’s comments before the Senate Tuesday “sent the clear message that economic data in the near term will be critical for the decision-making process on the pace of future rate hikes and eventually the terminal rate,” said Tyler Richey, co-editor of Sevens Report Research. Click here to read the full article.

Disinflation On, Disinflation Off

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Disinflation On, Disinflation Off (Scenario Table with Asset Performance Guide)
  • Chart – 2 Yr. Note Futures Approach Multiyear Lows
  • Chart – “Another Bull Trap” Update

U.S. stock futures are tracking global shares higher this morning as investors cheer better than expected economic data out of China.

Economically, China’s Manufacturing PMI jumped to 51.6 vs. (E) 49.9 in February, up from 49.2 in January, indicating the recovery process is gaining momentum. The Eurozone Manufacturing PMI, meanwhile, met estimates at 48.5.

Today, investor focus will be on economic data early beginning in Europe with the German CPI release at 8:00 a.m. ET (E: 8.7%). So far this week, European yields have led global yields higher on hot inflation data and if the German print is above estimates, expect that trend to continue and stocks to remain under pressure.

In the U.S. we will get the February ISM Manufacturing Index (E: 48.0) as well as the lesser followed Construction Spending report (E: 0.2%). Investors will want to see improving, but not overly strong growth metrics and fading price pressures to see some of the recent hawkish money flows ease.

Finally, there is one Fed speaker today: Kashkari (E: 9:00 a.m. ET), and as a voting member of the FOMC, his comments will be closely watched for any new hints at the Fed’s policy plans.

Why There’s Some Cause for (Cautious) Optimism

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why There’s Some Cause for Cautious Optimism

Futures are slightly lower following a quiet night of news as markets digest Thursday’s rally.

Economically the only notable number was the UK Home Price Index, which like the U.S. readings this week saw smaller than expected declines, falling –0.1% vs. (E) -0.7%.

Geopolitically, Russia continued Thursday’s missile bombardment of Ukraine is a clear signal that fighting will rage on as the New Year begins.

Trading today will be dominated by book squaring and year-end positioning but there is one notable economic report, Chicago PMI (E: 41.0), and if it’s weak it could weigh on markets moderately.

Five Market Questions That Need to be Answered in 2023

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Five Market Questions That Need to be Answered in 2023 (And Which Answers are Positive or Negative)

Futures were volatile overnight but are now little changed following the Bank of Japan’s shock announcement of an effective interest rate increase.

The BOJ announced that it is widening the trading band on the 10 year Japanese Government Bond to 0.00% – 0.50% from the previous 0.0% – 0.25%.  This amounts to a 25 basis point rate hike.

Economic data was positive as German PPI fell more than expected (-3.9% m/m vs. (E) -2.2%) in what is another sign of global dis-inflation.

Today there is one economic number, Housing Starts (E: 1.4M), but that won’t move markets.

Instead, focus will be on the fallout from the BOJ surprise “ rate hike.”  Bottom line, markets dropped late last week and yesterday in part on higher global bond yields (following the hawkish ECB announcement) so this rate hike by the BOJ is another headwind and I’d not be surprised to see stock decline modestly on this news today, barring any positive surprises.

The Key Influence on Markets as We Approach 2023

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • The Key Influence on Markets as We Approach 2023
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Can Economic Data Help Stop the Selling?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Core PCE Friday the Key Report

Futures are slightly higher on a mild oversold bounce following last weeks’ losses and a quiet weekend of news.

China announced the closing of schools in Shanghai on Monday in response to surging COVID cases, but the broader economic reopening remains on track.

Economically, the German IFO Business Expectations Survey was higher than expected (83.2 vs. (E) 82.0) as was UK Industrial Trends (-6% vs. (E) -9%) but neither number is moving markets.

Today the only notable economic report is the Housing Market Index (E: 34) and markets will want to see continued moderation in the data (housing remains a major contributor to high CPI so more progress on that front will be a mild positive).

Why Stocks Are Falling (It’s Not Just the Fed)

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Stocks Are Falling (It’s Not Just the Fed)

Futures are sharply lower on momentum from Thursday’s selling as investors further digest the hawkish ECB decision and yesterday’s lackluster economic data.

Despite weaker stock prices this morning, economic data overnight was mildly encouraging.  EU and UK December flash PMIs both slightly beat estimates while the EU HICP wasn’t any worse than feared at 10.1% y/y.

Today there are two important economic reports, the Flash Manufacturing PMI (E: 47.7) and Flash Services PMI (E: 46.5) and markets will need to see those data points show 1) Resilient activity and 2) Declining price pressures (more dis-inflation) if they are going to help stocks stabilize.  We also get one Fed speaker, Daly (12:00 p.m. ET), but she shouldn’t move markets.

Finally, today is a Quadruple Witching options expiration and it could cause some intense volatility as many traders had been positioned for a year-end rally, and as those hopes are being dashed, some book-squaring is likely in order.  Point being, don’t be surprised by an uptick in volatility this afternoon and into the close.

Economic Breaker Panel: November Update

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Economic Breaker Panel – November Update

Stock futures are little changed in quiet holiday trading this morning as traders look ahead to the slew of economic data due out in the U.S. today as well as the release of the November Fed meeting minutes.

Economically, the Eurozone Composite PMI Flash came in at 47.8 vs. (E) 47.0 signaling economic contraction in the EU but the better-than-feared headline is helping European shares edge higher today.

This morning is lining up to be a busy one for economic data with Durable Goods Orders (E: 0.3%), Jobless Claims (E: 225K), PMI Composite Flash (E: 48.7), New Home Sales (E: 574K), and Consumer Sentiment (E: 55.0) all due to be released between 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. ET.

Additionally, the November Fed Meeting Minutes will be released at 2:00 p.m. ET.

Bottom line, with all the recent Fed speak, the Minutes are unlikely to offer any surprises today however data can move markets despite thinning attendance and light volumes. The market wants to see slowing but not collapsing growth measures and a downward acceleration in inflation (today’s inflation expectations within the Consumer Sentiment release will be the key figure to watch). If that materializes, the S&P might be able to break through key near-term technical resistance at 4,007 however high inflation and weaker-than-anticipated growth could send stocks tumbling back toward the lows of the week at 3,900.

All of us at Sevens Report Research are very thankful for your support! Everyone please travel safely, and have a Happy Thanksgiving. We will speak to you again Friday morning.