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The Key Geopolitical Variable to Watch

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • The Key Variable to Watch in the U.S.-Iran Conflict
  • ISM Manufacturing Index Takeaways

S&P 500 futures fell to fresh YTD lows in pre-market trade, oil prices surged, and yields jumped following an Iranian drone attack on the U.S. embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Economically, the EU’s Narrow Core HICP Flash figure for February spiked to 2.4% vs. (E) 2.2% which stoked inflation fears and introduced market risks of potential ECB rate hikes in 2026.

Today, there is one second-tiered economic report to watch: Motor Vehicle Sales (E: 15.3 million) and the Treasury will hold a 6-Week Bill auction at 11:30 a.m. ET that could impact Treasury yields and carryover to equity market money flows.

Additionally, there are three Fed speakers today with Williams (9:55 a.m. ET), Schmid (10:10 a.m. ET), and Kashkari (11:55 a.m. ET) all due to deliver comments.

Finally, there are a handful of noteworthy earnings releases to watch today: TGT ($2.17), BBY ($2.48), CRWD ($0.20), however the corporate results are likely to take a backseat to geopolitics until tensions between the U.S. and Iran begin to subside.

 

Market Multiple Table: April Update

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Table: April Update

Futures are modestly lower with European markets while oil rallies and global bond yields move higher amid simmering geopolitical tensions and lingering inflation fears.

Economically, Final Composite PMI data was mostly better than expected in Europe overnight but price measures continued to rise, suggesting inflation has still not peaked.

Today, we will get two economic reports starting with International Trade (E: -$88.8B), but the ISM Services Index (E: 58.5) will be the more important release to watch shortly after the opening bell as a continued rise in the price measures could further stoke inflation/stagflation fears.

Additionally, there are multiple Fed speakers today: Kashkari (10:00 a.m. ET), Brainard (11:05 a.m. ET), Daly (12:30 p.m. ET), and Williams (2:00 p.m. ET). And if their tone is more hawkish than current market expectations, that could send yields to new highs and pressure high growth tech names which would drag the broad market lower.

Sevens Report Co-Editor Tyler Richey Quoted in MarketWatch on February 16, 2022

Gold settles at 8-month high as tension over Ukraine resurfaces

The geopolitical tensions surrounding Ukraine have been the latest catalyst to propel gold to fresh 2022 highs…analysts at Sevens Report Research wrote in Wednesday’s newsletter. Click here to read the full article.

Is a Russian Invasion of Ukraine a Bearish Gamechanger? (Updated)

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is a Russian Invasion of Ukraine a Bearish Gamechanger?  (Updated)

Futures are enjoying a modest bounce as the headlines on Russia/Ukraine turned a bit more positive overnight.

The U.S. Secretary of State and his Russian counterpart will meet next week, signaling diplomatic efforts to de-escalate will continue.

Economic data was sparse but generally solid as Japanese CPI met expectations while UK Retail Sales beat estimates.

Today’s focus will again be on geopolitical headlines, and any reports of de-escalation will help stocks recoup more of Thursday’s losses, while negative headlines will likely erase these early gains.

Beyond the Russia/Ukraine situation, we do get three Fed speakers today, two of which are Fed leadership:  Williams (11:00 a.m. ET) and Brainard (1:30 p.m. ET). If they make hawkish commentary (especially Brainard) look for stocks to drop again.  Fed President Evans (10:15 a.m. ET) also speaks this morning.

Finally, on the economic front, we get one report today, Existing Home Sales (E: 6.08M), but that shouldn’t move markets.