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Four Assumptions for the Next Leg of the Rally

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Four Assumptions for the Next Leg of the Rally
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Will the Fed Acknowledge Tapering is Being Discussed?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  All About the Fed (But Notable Growth Data this Week Too)

Futures are slightly higher following a quiet weekend as markets look ahead to Wednesday’s FOMC decision.

The G-7 meeting in England produced a lot of headlines including broad agreement on a minimum corporate tax.  But there were little specifics of any new policies released and the meeting won’t impact markets.

Economic data was sparse as the only notable number was Eurozone Industrial Production which rose 0.8% vs. (E) 0.4%.

Today there are no economic reports and no Fed speak (the Fed meeting starts tomorrow so officials are in their “quiet period” ahead of the meeting) so for markets to extend last week’s rally we’ll need to get corporate commentary that confirms inflation pressures are “peaking.”  Absent that, I’d expect stocks to largely tread water ahead of Wednesday’s FOMC decision.

A Market Still In Search of a Catalyst

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why This Market Still Needs A Positive Catalyst
  • Weekly Market Preview (Fed anticipation and Inflation)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet (Inflation Thursday and Employment Data Are Key)

Futures are slightly lower on underwhelming economic data and as markets digest last week’s rally.

Economic data was slightly disappointing as Chinese exports missed expectations (27.9% vs. (E) 32.1%) as did German Manufacturers’ Orders (-0.2% vs. (E) 1.0%).

The G-7 agreed in principle to a global minimum corporate tax and that is weighing slightly on global markets.  But, investors view implementation of the tax as taking a very, very long time (if it ever actually happens).

Today there are no notable economic reports and no Fed speakers so focus will be on any apparent infrastructure progress, although at this point any infrastructure deal likely won’t be big enough to provide material stimulus to the economy (and push markets higher).