Posts

Why Are Bond Yields At Multi-Month Lows?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is the Market Already Warning Us On Growth?
  • Why Are Bond Yields Threatening to Breakdown?
  • When the Coronavirus will matter more to stocks

Futures are moderately lower following a generally quiet night of news.

There was no notable economic or geo-political news overnight, and the reason stocks are lower this morning is digestion of this week’s news combined with still worsening coronavirus statistics.

Coronavirus trends remained concerning as the U.S. posted a second straight day of 60k plus new cases, while coronavirus related deaths remain near six week highs, increasing the chances that we see a further pause in the economic reopening, or even the re-imposition of widespread lockdowns.

Today there’s not much scheduled news, as PPI (E: 0.4%) is the only economic report and that won’t move markets.  So, focus will remain on whether we see more economic re-openings pause given the surge in coronavirus cases.  The low on Thursday in the S&P 500 was 3,115, and that’s a level to watch today.  If that’s broken, then we could see selling pressure increase in the near term.

A New Real Time Economic Indicator

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • A New, Real Time Economic Indicator
  • EIA and Oil Market Update
  • Why The U.S. Dollar Is Near Multi-Month Lows Again

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

Economic data was mixed as Japanese Machine Orders beat estimates (1.7% vs. (E) -9.0%), but German Exports missed expectations (rising just 9.0% vs. (E) 14%).

The U.S. set another record for new coronavirus cases (61k) although markets continue to take the surge in stride, for now (more on that in tomorrow’s Report)

Today focus will be on weekly Jobless Claims (E: 1.375M) and if they bounce back towards 2 million, that will be a headwind on stocks as it will imply the economic recovery is stalling.

We also have one Fed speaker, Bostic (12:00 p.m. ET), and presumptive Democratic nominee Biden will give his first major economic policy speech, but neither event should move markets.

Market Multiple Table July Update

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Table July Update

Stock futures are little changed today as investors digest the choppy trade from the front half of the week amid negative coronavirus headlines, ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China, but still mostly upbeat economic data.

Johns Hopkins University reported a new single day record increase of +60K new coronavirus cases in the U.S. yesterday which is weighing on sentiment this morning.

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

One Fed official will speak this afternoon: Bostic (12:15 p.m. ET) however investor focus will largely remain on the trends of the coronavirus outbreak and any new indication as to whether or not there will be another round of economic shutdowns which would be a clear negative for risk assets at current levels.

Technical Take: S&P 500 Partial Breakout

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Technical Take: S&P 500 Partial Breakout
  • ISM Non-Manufacturing Index Takeaways

Futures are down nearly 1% this morning, tracking losses in international shares as the recent rally had become near-term overextended and economic data disappointed overnight.

German Industrial Profits rose 7.8% in May but the headline missed estimates calling for a rebound of 10.5% which is weighing on general investor sentiment this morning.

Looking into today’s session, the economic calendar is fairly quiet with just one data point due to be released: May JOLTS (E: 4.900M), however there are four Fed officials speaking today which will warrant some attention: Bostic (9:00 a.m. ET), Quarles (1:00 p.m. ET), Barkin (2:00 p.m. ET) and Daly (2:00 p.m. ET).

Additionally, the Treasury will hold a 3-Yr Note Auction at 1:00 p.m. ET which could influence some movement in rates and the yield curve more broadly and, in turn, has the potential to affect the equity market.

Bottom line, the general theme in markets is profit-taking this morning which will leave very near term technical levels in focus. For the S&P 500 that means the support band between 3,135 and 3,150 will be a key zone to watch today, and if the index breaks below that price area the selling could accelerate as stop-orders are triggered on the way down.

What Market Bulls Are Assuming

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Market Bulls Are Assuming
  • Weekly Market Preview
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet (Are Jobless Claims About to Rise Again?)

Futures are sharply higher thanks mostly to momentum from a big rally in Chinese stocks.

The Shanghai Composite surged nearly 6% on Monday, despite the lack of a discernable, positive catalyst.  Growing confidence in the economic recovery combined with a flood of retail investment fueled the stock gains.

In the U.S., coronavirus cases continued to rise over the weekend, although there was no material acceleration from the pace of the past several days.

Today the key economic report is the June ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI (E: 49.0), and if that can break above 50 that will be further confirmation that the economic recovery is happening faster than most thought possible (and it should be a tailwind on stocks).  Additionally, the White House has teased an announcement today of positive developments in treatment of the coronavirus, although the exact timing of this announcement, and what exactly it entails, is unclear.

Has There Been A Positive Change?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Has There Been A Positive Change in Markets?
  • Jobs Day

Futures are solidly higher thanks mostly to continued momentum following Wednesday’s rally.

Economic data was sparse overnight, as the only notable report was the Eurozone Unemployment Rate, which slightly beat estimates (7.4% vs. (E) 7.7%).

Coronavirus cases continued to rise in the U.S. and hit a new daily record above 50k.

Today the focus will be on the Employment Situation Report, and the expectations are as follows: Job Adds: 3.000M, UE Rate: 12.4%, Wages: -0.8%).  As long as the number isn’t a major disappointment (say below 2.5MM) it likely won’t interrupt this week’s lift in markets.

We also get Jobless Claims (E: 1.400M) this morning, and while it’ll be overshadowed by the monthly jobs report, claims are actually more important, and if they can continue to decline towards 1MM (and beat expectations) that will be an additional tailwind on stocks.  Conversely, if claims start to move higher, that could offset even a better than expected monthly jobs report.

Jobs Report Preview

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Report Preview
  • A Historic Quarter for the Energy Markets

Stock futures are trading modestly lower this morning after the S&P 500 registered its best quarterly gain in over 20 years in Q2 while economic data was mostly better than expected overnight.

Economically, China’s Caixin Manufacturing PMI firmed to 51.2 in June from 50.7 in May while the Eurozone Manufacturing PMI rose to 47.4 from 39.4 in May pointing to a continued rebound in economic activity last month.

Today, we will get our first look at June jobs data with the ADP Employment Report (E: 3.500M) due out ahead of the bell while the ISM Manufacturing Index (E: 49.0) and Construction Spending (E: 0.8%) will both be released shortly after the open.

Later in the day, the only real catalyst to watch for is the release of the latest FOMC Meeting Minutes at  2:30 p.m. ET as traders will be looking for any additional insight into the Fed’s future stimulus plans or view of the state of the economy.

Risks to the Stimulus Driven Rally

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Bottom line: Risks to the Stimulus Driven Rally

Stock futures are slightly lower this morning as investors weigh a continued rise in coronavirus cases and escalating geopolitical tensions against positive economic data.

China’s CFLP Manufacturing PMI rose to 50.9 vs. (E) 50.5 in June indicating an acceleration in the economic recovery.

China’s parliament passed a new national security law for Hong Kong o/n but specific details have yet to be released.

Today, there are two economic reports to watch: S&P Case-Shiller HPI (E: 0.5%) and Consumer Confidence (E: 90.0) as well as a slew of Fed speak to monitor: Williams (7:00 & 11:00 a.m. ET), Powell (12:30 p.m. ET), Bostic (2:00 p.m. ET), and Kashkari (2:00 p.m. ET).

Powell’s testimony before Congress, alongside Treasury Secretary Mnuchin, will be the “main event” today and as long as they reiterate their plans for stimulus measures to continue for the foreseeable future, stocks should be able to end the second quarter in a relatively quiet manner this afternoon.

Are Rising COVID Cases A Reason to De-Risk?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is the Increase in COVID Cases a Reason to De-Risk?
  • Weekly Market Preview (Can the S&P 500 Hold 3000?)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet (Jobs Report on Thursday)

Futures are slightly higher following a quiet weekend as markets attempt to bounce following Friday’s selloff.

Coronavirus cases continued to rise, with new U.S. cases topping 40k for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  More states (including California) are pausing re-openings, although none have re-imposed economic restrictions yet.

Economic data was sparse overnight as Euro Zone Economic Sentiment slightly missed expectations (75.7 vs. (E) 80).

Today there is just one economic report, Pending Home Sales (E: 11.3%) and one Fed speaker, Williams (3:00 p.m. ET) and neither should move markets.

Instead, focus will remain on the coronavirus and specifically whether more states pause, and potentially rollback, economic re-openings. Technically, the S&P 500 is sitting on support at 3,000, and if that’s broken, we could see a uptick in selling by programs and algos.

New Coronavirus Growth Rate Tracker

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • New Sevens Report Coronavirus Growth Rate Tracker (We Made an Important Change)

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

Coronavirus trends continued to deteriorate as the U.S. set a new daily high for new coronavirus infections (40,184).

But, no additional companies announced plans to slow re-openings, so the market is looking past the spike in cases for now.

There was no notable economic data out overnight.

Today there are two economic reports, Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.1%) and Consumer Sentiment (E: 78.9), but neither should move markets.  Instead, focus will remain on the coronavirus and as long as there aren’t any major corporations announcing a delay in re-opening plans, markets will continue to look past the surging coronavirus infections.