The 23 largest banks in the U.S. passed the Fed’s annual stress tests, and while none were expected to fail, the fact that there were no negative surprises is a general positive for the banking sector and financials, Tom Essaye, founder of research firm Sevens Reports, wrote Thursday. Click here to read the full article.
What’s in Today’s Report:
Futures are flat to start the second half of 2023 following a quiet weekend of news.
Economic data was mixed overnight as the EU Manufacturing PMI slightly missed estimates (43.4 vs. (E) 43.6) while the UK reading slightly beat expectations (46.5 vs. (E) 46.2), but neither number is moving markets.
Saudi Arabia and Russia made separate announcements about further reducing oil supply in the coming months, although they aren’t causing a material rally.
Today focus will be on the ISM Manufacturing PMI (E: 47.2) and at this point, and with yields this high, markets need to see solid data and that means the ISM Manufacturing PMI moving closer towards 50 and beating expectations.
As a reminder, the stock market will close at 1:00 p.m. today ahead of the July 4th holiday.
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What’s in Today’s Report:
Stock futures are falling with global markets and yields are rising this morning after more hawkish central bank decisions overnight as focus turns to the BOE.
In Europe, monetary policy decisions were net hawkish as Norway’s central bank raised rates 50 bp vs. (E) 25 bp to 3.75% while the Swiss National Bank met estimates with a 25 bp hike to 1.75%. The rate hikes are pressuring global bond markets (yields higher) and weighing on sentiment, dragging equity markets lower.
Looking into today’s session, early focus will be on the Bank of England as a 25 bp hike to 4.75% in the benchmark policy rate is expected but there is risk of a 50 bp hike to 5.00% which would be another hawkish surprise for markets and likely result in rising yields and more pressure on overbought equity markets.
In the U.S. there are two economic reports to watch: Jobless Claims (E: 261K) and Existing Home Sales (E: 4.250M). A further rise in claims could bring into question whether or not the labor market is suddenly beginning to deteriorate meaningfully while strong housing data would warrant a hawkish reaction after the much better than expected Housing Starts print earlier this week.
From there, focus will turn to the Fed as Chair Powell continues his semi-annual Congressional testimony at 10:00 a.m. ET while Mester will speak around the same time (10:00 a.m. ET).
Finally, there is a 5-Yr TIPS auction at 1:00 p.m. ET that could offer insight to inflation expectations and move yields, but most of the market-moving news will likely hit before the lunch hour today.
What’s in Today’s Report:
Futures are lower to start the holiday-shortened trading week today with Asian markets underperforming as the latest Chinese stimulus efforts were seen as underwhelming while inflation trends in Europe remain favorable.
The PBOC lowered both the 1-Yr and 5-Yr prime loan rates by 10 bp overnight to 3.55% and 4.2%, respectively, but the cuts disappointed versus hopeful investor expectations given weak economic data lately, and markets traded with a risk-off tone in the wake of the announcements.
In Europe, German PPI fell to 1.0% vs. (E) 1.8% in May offering the latest evidence that the global disinflation trends remain intact.
Looking into today’s session, there is just one economic report to watch: Housing Starts (E: 1.40M) which shouldn’t move markets, and only one Fed speaker: Williams (11:45 a.m. ET).
With stocks overextended by multiple measures right now, there will likely be some degree of digestion of the latest leg higher in equity markets now that the June Fed decision and Friday’s massive options expiration are behind us. With that in mind, focus will begin to shift to Powell’s semi-annual Monetary Policy Report to Congress which begins tomorrow as investors look for further insight to the Fed’s future policy plans.
What’s in Today’s Report:
Stock futures are flat as yesterday’s rally is digested while global markets were mostly higher overnight thanks to continued optimism about AI focused investments and in-line inflation data in Europe.
ADBE shares were up as much as 4% in pre-market trading after strong earnings and AI-related guidance yesterday which is supporting mega-cap tech ahead of the open this morning.
The Narrow Core inflation reading within the Eurozone HICP (their CPI equivalent) fell from 5.6% to 5.3% y/y in May, meeting estimates and offering further confirmation that the global disinflation trend has resumed.
Today, there are no Fed officials scheduled to speak and just one economic report to watch: Consumer Sentiment (E: 60.5), but the consumer inflation expectations components within the release could move markets if they are meaningfully different from the previous release.
Finally, on a derivatives market note, today is a Quadruple Witching options expiration which means volumes will be elevated and volatility could potentially spike due to trader repositioning.
What’s in Today’s Report:
U.S. equity futures are lower as the Fed decision continues to be digested while global economic data largely missed expectations overnight.
Economically, Chinese data was universally disappointing with Industrial Production and Retail Sales both missing estimates while EU trade data showed that imports and exports both declined by more than anticipated. China’s central bank cut rates further overnight, however, which saw risk assets in Asia recover to end with gains.
Looking into today’s session, the ECB decision will be in focus this morning (E: +25bp hike) followed by President Lagarde’s press conference. If the ECB is seen as hawkish, it will likely weigh on stocks and other risk assets as it will show central bankers are not yet satisfied with the trends in inflation and more aggressive policy is likely in the months ahead.
In the U.S., there is a slew of economic data due to be released including: Jobless Claims (E: 250K), Retail Sales (E: 0.0%), Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index (E: -13.2), Empire State Manufacturing Index (E: -15.1), Import & Export Prices (E: -0.6%, -0.5%), and Industrial Production (E: 0.1%).
And with the Fed leaving future policy plans largely “open” and dependent on economic data, the market will want to see more “Goldilocks” trends with slowing growth and a more rapid decline in price readings.
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What’s in Today’s Report:
Futures are little changed despite solid tech earnings and more Chinese stimulus, as markets await the CPI report at 8:30 a.m. ET.
ORCL posted solid earnings and rallied 5% overnight and that’s adding to overall tech and market momentum.
Chinese authorities cut the reverse repo rate to 1.9% from 2.0%, and that move increased market expectations for future additional stimulus.
Today focus will be on the CPI report and expectations are as follows: 0.2% m/m, 4.1% y/y, Core CPI (E: 0.4% m/m, 5.3% y/y). Additionally, “Super Core” CPI (which is core CPI less housing) will also be in focus and markets will want to see a drop to (or ideally below) 5.2% y/y.
Bottom line, markets need CPI to confirm accelerating disinflation to continue to rally, while a sticky inflation number will result in real market disappointment (although the looming FOMC decision should keep any market moves more muted than they otherwise would have been).
Prices had started the week moving higher after Saudi Arabia said it would cut output by an additional 1 million barrels per day in July. However, “traders faded the move,” as the Saudi cut would only remove one-third of a single day’s worth of global oil production over the course of July, said Tyler Richey, co-editor at Sevens Report Research. Click here to read the full article.
The S&P 500 is nearing a bull market. But Morgan Stanley analysts are predicting a 16% earnings drop for S&P 500 companies. Ben Laidler, Global Markets Strategist at eToro, and Tom Essaye, Sevens Report Research Founder and President, give their takes on what lies ahead for the market. Click here to watch the full interview.
What’s in Today’s Report:
Futures are little changed despite more economic stimulus from China.
The Chinese government cut bank deposit rates and encouraged lending to boost auto sales in the latest effort to stimulate the economy, although the moves were already expected so this isn’t a new, positive surprise.
Economic data was sparse overnight with Japanese and EU GDPs the only notable releases, and neither number moved markets.
Today the only notable economic report is Jobless Claims (E: 235K) and markets will want to see stability in the data (so no sudden jump higher), but more broadly markets remain in a temporary “holding pattern” with the CPI report and Fed decision now both looming less than a week away.