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Why Did Stocks Drop Again?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Did Stocks Drop Again?
  • How High Can Gold Go?

Futures are bouncing modestly from Thursday’s afternoon selloff, following a quiet night of news and as investor look ahead to today’s jobs report.

Economic data overnight (German Manufacturers’ Orders and Euro Zone retail sales) slightly missed expectations but the numbers aren’t increasing growth worries.

Today the focus will be on the jobs report and expectations are as follows: 200K Job Adds, 3.9% Unemployment Rate, 4.1% y/y Wage Growth.  The risk for this market remains for a “Too Hot” report that shows strong job adds, low unemployment and hot wages, while a number modestly below expectations would be welcomed as “Goldilocks” and likely spur a rebound in stocks and bonds.

In addition to the jobs report, we also have several Fed speakers including Collins (8:30 a.m. ET), Barkin (9:15 a.m. ET), Logan (11:00 a.m. ET) and Bowman (12:15 p.m. ET). If their tone is hawkish, it could reduce June rate cut chances and increase volatility.


Sevens Report Quarterly Letter 

Our Q1 ’24 Quarterly Letter was delivered to subscribers this past Monday, complete with compliance backup and citations. We’re already receiving feedback about how it is saving advisors time and helping them communicate with their clients in this environment!

You can view our Q4 ’23 Quarterly Letter here.

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Jobs Report Preview (An Important One)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Report Preview (An Important One)
  • Is the Short-Vol Trade Starting to Unwind?
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are modestly higher as economic data and corporate earnings were slightly better than expected.

Economically, Euro Zone and UK Composite PMIs were above 50 and that’s pushing back on EU recession worries.

On earnings, Levi Strauss (LEVI) posted strong results (stock up 9% pre-market) and that’s helping to counter soft retailer earnings from PVH and ULTA.

Markets are still sensitive to hawkish data or commentary that reduces June rate cut chances, so the focus today will be on Jobless Claims (E: 213K) and on several Fed speakers including Barkin (12:15 p.m. ET), Mester (2:00 p.m. ET) and Kugler (7:30 p.m. ET).  Tomorrow’s jobs report should keep volatility somewhat subdued, but if there are any hawkish surprises from the data or Fed speak, don’t be surprised if there’s more volatility.


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Is This A Teflon Market? (No. Here’s Why)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is This A Teflon Market? (No. Here’s Why)
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Can Data and Fed Speak Extend the Rally?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  All About Employment (Jobs Report Friday among others).

Futures are slightly lower following quiet weekend of news as markets digest Friday’s rally.

Geopolitically, hope is growing for a six-week ceasefire in Gaza that could be announced in the coming days and that’s modestly weighing on oil prices.

The S&P 500 will become even more “AI” sensitive as SMCI  (Super Microcomputer) will in added to the S&P 500, incrementally increasing tech exposure to the index.

This will be a potentially busy week of catalysts but it starts slowly today as there are no economic reports and just one Fed speaker, Harker at 11:00 a.m. ET.  So, absent any surprises, expect yields to drive stocks.  If the 10-year Treasury yield drifts lower, don’t be surprised if stocks recoup these early losses.


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What’s Changed Since October (And Is It Worth A 25% Rally?)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What’s Changed Since October (And Is It Worth A 25% Rally?)
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Can Data and News Stay Platinumlocks?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  An Important Week for Inflation.

Futures are little changed following a generally quiet weekend of news.

Geopolitically, news was mixed over the weekend.  Positively, progress was made in negotiating a Israel/Hamas cease fire and there is hope an agreement can be reached this week.  Negatively, chances of a U.S. government shutdown on March 1st (this Friday) are rising.

There were no notable economic reports overnight.

This will be a busy week of important economic data, earnings and political news (possible government shutdown on Friday) but it starts slowly as the only notable economic report today is New Home Sales (E: 685k) and there is just one Fed speaker, Schmid at 7:40 p.m. ET.  So, focus will remain on the political headlines today and if shutdown chances increase, look for mild pressure on stocks.


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Why Didn’t Hot Inflation Data Cause a Bigger Drop?

Why Didn’t Hot Inflation Data Cause a Bigger Drop? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Didn’t the Hot Inflation Data Cause a Bigger Drop?
  • Economic Takeaways – Are Stagflation Risks Rising?

Stock futures are lower to start the week as a rate cut by China’s central bank failed to bolster investors’ appetite for risk overseas while domestic focus shifts to NVDA earnings.

The PBOC slashed the 5-Yr Loan Prime Rate by a record 25 bp overnight (E: -5 bp) but the rate cut failed to ease lingering concerns about the health of the property market and markets are trading with a moderate risk-off tone this morning.

Looking into today’s session, there are two economic reports to watch: Leading Economic Indicators (E: -0.1%) which has been flashing a recession signal for months, and Canadian CPI (E: 0.4%) which could further stoke inflation worries if the number comes in hot.

There are no Fed officials scheduled to speak today, however the Treasury will hold 3-Month and 6-Month Bill auctions at 11:30 a.m. ET and a 52-Week Bill action at 1:00 p.m. ET. Based on the market’s increased sensitivity to rising bond yields in recent weeks, signs of weak demand in the auction could send yields to new highs which would act as a strengthening headwind on risk assets as we start the week.


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Why Have Stocks Already Recouped Most of Tuesday’s Losses?

Why Have Stocks Already Recouped Most of Tuesday’s Losses? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Have Stocks Already Recouped Most of Tuesday’s Losses?

Futures are slightly higher mostly on momentum from Thursday’s rally and despite hotter than expected economic data and hawkish Fed commentary.

UK Retail Sales rose 3.4% vs. (E) 1.5% and that hot reading is pushing back on yesterday’s dovish expectations.

Atlanta Fed President Bostic pushed back on near term rate cut expectations during a speech Thursday night.

Today focus will remain on economic data and the key report today is PPI (E: 0.1% m/m, 0.7% y/y).  PPI isn’t as important as Tuesday’s CPI, but if it shows a similar pop higher, that add to inflation anxiety and likely push yields higher (and stocks lower).

Other notable data and events today include Housing Starts (E: 1.47 million), Consumer Sentiment (E: 80) and two Fed speakers:  Barr (9:10 a.m. ET), Daly (12:10 p.m. ET).  But, barring a big surprise from the data or Daly, they shouldn’t move markets.


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What is the “Short Vol” Trade and How Is It Impacting Markets?

What is the “Short Vol” Trade? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What is the “Short Vol” Trade and How Is It Impacting Markets?
  • An Important Trading Range to Watch
  • EIA Analysis:  A Bearish Report for Oil

Futures are slightly higher despite soft economic data and more earning guidance cuts.

UK monthly GDP declined –0.3% and the UK officially entered recession, although that’s also boosting rate cut expectations.

On earnings, both CSCO and DE cut guidance and both stocks are solidly lower pre-market.

Today is a very busy day of economic data and the data will likely determine if stocks extend yesterday’s rebound or give some of it back.

The key reports are, in order of importance:  Retail Sales (E: -0.1%), Jobless Claims (E: 219k), Philly Fed (E: -9.0), Empire Manufacturing Index (E: -12.5) and Industrial Production (E: 0.2%).  For Empire and Philly Fed, the price indices will be closely watched and if they show further substantial gains, expect that to push yields higher on inflation concerns.

There are also two Fed speakers today,  Waller (1:15 p.m. ET) and Bostic (7:00 p.m. ET), and Waller could move markets as he is part of Fed leadership.


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Why Did Stocks and Bonds Drop to Start 2024?

Why Did Stocks and Bonds Drop to Start 2024? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Did Stocks and Bonds Drop to Start 2024?
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Can Data Meet Market Expectations For Growth and Rate Cuts?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Inflation In Focus (CPI on Thursday)

Futures are slightly lower following some disappointing EU economic data and on hawkish Fed commentary.

Economically, German Manufacturers’ Orders and Euro Zone retail sales both missed estimates, reminding investors of recession risks in Europe.

This weekend, Dallas Fed President Logan warned that financial conditions have eased materially recently and that may prevent the Fed from cutting rates anytime soon.

Today there are two notable market events including the NY Fed Inflation Expectations (E: 3.4%) and comments by Atlanta Fed President Bostic (12:00 p.m. ET).  If either event pushes back on the idea of imminent rate cuts (via inflation expectations being higher than estimates or Bostic sounding hawkish) expect more modest pressure on stocks and bonds.


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2024 Technical Outlook: Key Levels to Watch in Q1

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • 2024 Technical Outlook:  Key Levels to Watch in 2024
  • Jobs Day

Futures are modestly lower following more evidence of a bounce back in inflation in the EU and ahead of today’s jobs report.

The EU December HICP (their CPI) rose less than expected (2.9% vs. 3.0% y/y) but still increased from the 2.4% Nov. reading and that’s further reducing ECB rate cut expectations and weighing on global markets.

Today focus will be on economic data and there are two potentially market moving reports:  The jobs report and the ISM Services PMI.

Regarding the jobs report, expectations are as follows:  Job Adds: 158K, UE Rate: 3.8%,  Avg Hourly Earnings: 0.3% m/m, 3.9% y/y.  The key here is moderation in the data and a job adds number above 200k or Avg. Hourly Earnings much above 4.0% will further push back on rate cut expectations and likely weigh on stocks.

Looking at the ISM Services PMI (E: 52.7), the key here is that the number stays solidly above 50 (which it should).  A drop below 50 will increase slowdown worries (and weigh on stocks).  Finally, there is one Fed speaker today, Barkin at 1:30 p.m. ET, but he shouldn’t move markets.

Sevens Report Quarterly Letter 

Our Q4 ’23 Quarterly Letter was delivered to subscribers on Tuesday, complete with compliance backup and citations. We’re already receiving feedback about how it is saving advisors time and helping them communicate with their clients in this volatile environment!

You can view our Q3 ‘23 Quarterly Letter here.

To learn more about the product (including price) please click this link.

If you’re interested in subscribing, please email info@sevensreport.com.


Join hundreds of advisors from huge brokerage firms like Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo Advisors, Raymond James, and more! To start your quarterly subscription and see how The Sevens Report can help you grow your business, click here.

Jobs Report Preview

Jobs Report Preview: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Report Preview

Futures are rebounding very slightly following better than expected global service PMIs.

The December Chinese Service PMI handily beat estimates (52.9 vs. (E) 51.6) offering an encouraging signal on Chinese growth while the EU and UK services PMIs also slightly best estimates.

On inflation, data was more mixed as French CPI met estimates at 3.7% but rose slightly from last month challenging the disinflation narrative.

Today focus will be on economic data and specifically the labor market via Jobless Claims (E: 218K) and the ADP Employment Report (E: 115K) and the key here remains Goldilocks data that isn’t so strong it reduces rate cut expectations nor so bad it stirs worries about the economy.  Also, we get the December PMI Composite Index (E: 51.0) but barring a major surprise that shouldn’t move markets.

Jobs Report


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