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Sevens Report Co-Editor, Tyler Richey, Quoted in MarketWatch on May 23rd, 2023

Natural-gas prices have dropped by nearly half this year, despite output risks and higher demand prospects

The natural-gas market is reaching a historically pivotal phase of the year, with the price swings typically occurring in the summer and winter months, said Tyler Richey, co-editor at Sevens Report Research. Click here to read the full article.

Why Is Consumer Spending Holding Up So Well?

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Is Consumer Spending Holding Up So Well?
  • Unemployment Rate Chart Indicates Full Employment
  • May Flash PMI Takeaways
  • Chart: S&P 500 Trend Remains Higher But Signs of Weakness Are Emerging

Equity futures are lower with global markets this morning as there has been no further progress in debt ceiling negotiations while data overnight pointed to stagflation.

Economically, U.K. CPI was 8.7% vs. (E) 8.3% y/y while the German Ifo Survey was weak across the board with Business Expectations notably falling to 88.6 vs. (E) 91.7. And sticky high inflation and fading growth prospects are a very negative scenario for global risk assets.

There are no market moving economic reports on the calendar for today which will leave traders primarily focused on the ongoing debt ceiling negotiations.

There is one Fed speaker: Waller at 12:10 p.m. ET and the May FOMC meeting minutes will be released at 2:00 p.m. ET which could shed some light on the Fed’s expected “pause.” Any indication that hikes may continue this summer would trigger volatility as current market odds of a June hike are less than 1 in 3.

Finally, there is a 5-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET that could move yields and have an influence on equity market trading in the afternoon.

Tom Essaye Quoted in MarketWatch on May 22nd, 2023

Stocks may take a hit by June if the dollar keeps rising, analyst says

The U.S. dollar, which rallied to a two-month high last week, is demonstrating a bullish signal from a technical perspective and has the potential to trend up in the coming months. The greenback’s strength will weigh on equities, starting by the beginning of June, noted Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research. Click here to read the full article.

Why Have Stocks Hit Multi-Month Highs?

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Have Stocks Hit Multi-Month Highs?
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Real Debt Ceiling Progress is Needed This Week
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Flash PMIs and Core PCE the Key Reports This Week

Futures are little changed despite a lack of progress on the debt ceiling and an increase in trade tensions between the U.S. and China over the weekend.

There was no progress on the debt ceiling over the weekend although Biden and McCarthy will meet again today to resume negotiations.

China banned the use of Micron (MU) chips in what is yet another escalation in U.S./China trade tensions.

Today focus will be on the debt ceiling and markets will want to hear positive and optimistic commentary from Biden and McCarthy, as the potential “X” date of June 1st is now less than 10 days away.

There are also multiple Fed speakers today, including Bullard (8:30 a.m. ET), Logan (9:00 a.m. ET), Barking & Bostic (10:50 a.m. ET) and Daly (11:05 a.m. ET), but given Powell on Friday reiterated the Fed has likely paused, their comments shouldn’t move markets.

What the Stronger Dollar Means for Markets

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What the Stronger Dollar Means for Markets

Futures are little changed following a quiet night of news as markets digest Thursday’s extension of the rally and as markets await comments from Fed Chair Powell later this morning.

Economically, the only notable numbers were Japanese CPI (met expectations at 3.5%) and German PPI (slightly hot at 4.1% vs. (E) 4.0%) but neither number changed the outlook for global inflation and, as such, aren’t moving markets.

Today there are no notable economic reports, but there are several important Fed speakers including Chair Powell (11:00 a.m. ET).  So far this week, markets have looked past hawkish commentary from regional Fed Presidents but if Powell hints that the Fed may hike rates in June, we could see some of this week’s rally given back.  Other Fed speakers today include Williams (8:45 a.m. ET) and Bowman (9:00 a.m. ET).

Hard vs. Soft Landing Scoreboard Update

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Hard vs. Soft Landing Scoreboard Update

Futures are slightly higher mostly on momentum from Wednesday’s rally and despite more disappointing earnings, this time from Cisco (CSCO).

CSCO orders underwhelmed and that’s weighing on the stock (down 4% after hours) and limiting gains in futures.

There was no new news on the debt ceiling but optimism remains high and a deal is expected before the “X” date.

Focus today will be on economic data, because beyond any short-term debt ceiling drama (or resolution) the bigger issue for this market remains hard vs. soft landing.  Key reports today include (in order of importance):  Jobless Claims (E: 255K), Philly Fed (E: -20.0) and Existing Home Sales (E: 4.295M).  As has been the case, stability remains the key for stocks to extend the rally.

We also have two Fed speakers, Jefferson (9:05 a.m. ET) and Logan (10:00 a.m. ET), but they shouldn’t move markets.

Why Home Depot Earnings Point to a Soft Landing

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Home Depot Earnings Point to a Soft Landing
  • Retail Sales Data Takeaways
  • Debt Ceiling Barometer: 1-Month T-Bill Yield Steadies

Stock futures are rebounding modestly from yesterday’s declines this morning as traders await more clarity on the debt ceiling negotiations (1-Month yield is down 2 bp to 5.56%) and digest in-line European inflation data.

Economically, Eurozone HICP (their CPI equivalent) met estimates at 7.0% y/y with the Narrow Core reading falling 0.1% to 5.6%, also as expected but still well above target.

There is just one economic report this morning: Housing Starts & Permits (E: 1.405M, 1.430M) and no Fed officials are scheduled to speak.

Retailer earnings continue this morning with TGT ($1.74) reporting ahead of the bell and investors will be looking for more signs of “soft landing” spending trends as we saw with HD yesterday.

As far as other potential catalysts go, there is a 20-Yr. Treasury Bond auction at 1:00 p.m. ET today and any big move in yields could impact stocks (too weak would indicate inflation worries, too strong would underscore growing debt ceiling fears).

Why the “Pain Trade” Remains Higher

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why the “Pain Trade” Remains Higher
  • Bullish Reversal in the Dollar Forming – Chart

Stock futures are slightly lower this morning as traders digest disappointing economic data from overseas and look ahead to today’s debt ceiling negotiations.

Economically, Chinese Fixed Asset Investment slowed in April while Industrial Production came in at just 5.6% vs. (E) 10.7% and Retail Sales rose to 18.4% vs. (E) 22.0%. The underwhelming data is continuing to pour some cold water on hopes that a robust recovery in China will help support broader growth in the global economy this year.

Looking into today’s session there are several economic releases to watch in the U.S. including (in order of importance): Retail Sales (E: 0.7%), Industrial Production (E: 0.0%), and the Housing Market Index (E: 45). Specifically, if Retail Sales is disappointing, that could rekindle hard-landing fears and pressure stocks.

Several Fed officials are also expected to speak today: Mester (8:15 a.m. ET), Bostic (8:55 a.m. ET), Williams (12:15 p.m. ET), and Logan (3:15 p.m. ET). A more cautious tone regarding policy plans would be welcomed while any decidedly hawkish commentary is likely to pressure markets.

Finally, the main focus today will be the debt ceiling talks between the Biden Administration and House Republicans as we are fast approaching the “X date” and prospects of a deal being reached remain very uncertain. Any reported progress on the topic will be well-received today and likely result in a modest relief rally but if concerns about the debt ceiling increase, expect equities to come under pressure.

 

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Why Negative News (Still) Isn’t Making Stocks Drop

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Negative News (Still) Isn’t Making Stocks Drop
  • Weekly Market Preview:  More Insights into Hard vs. Soft Landing This Week
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Retail Sales (Tues) the Key Report This Week

Futures are modestly higher following reports of progress on the debt ceiling negotiations over the weekend.

Another debt ceiling meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at the White House and major officials (including Biden and Yellen) stated progress was made in negotiations over the weekend, although a deal still isn’t likely this week.

Economically, Euro Zone IP slightly missed estimates.

Today there’s only one notable economic report, the May Empire Manufacturing Index (E: -3.70), and markets will want to see stability in the data to further hint towards a soft landing.

Looking at the Fed, there are numerous speakers today including Bostic (8:45 a.m. ET), Kashkari (9:15 a.m. ET), Barkin (12:30 p.m. ET) and Cook (5:00 p.m. ET) and while their comments may have a hawkish tone, the market firmly believes the Fed has paused on rate hikes and it’ll take Powell disavowing that notion for investors to reconsider.

Finally, debt ceiling headlines will likely continue, and don’t be shocked if there’s some pushback on the “progress” narrative from the weekend as the political gamesmanship kicks into high gear, with just over two weeks till the “X” date.

Why Are Regional Banks Still Causing Market Declines? (It’s Not Contagion)

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Are Regional Banks Still Causing Market Declines (It’s Not Contagion)
  • What the 1.5 Year High in Jobless Claims Means for the Economy

Futures are modestly higher following some potentially small progress on debt ceiling negotiations.

The debt ceiling meeting today was postponed to early next week as staffers needed more time to work on potential areas of compromise, and that’s being taken as a mild sign of progress.

Economically, UK manufacturing was stronger than expected (0.7% vs. (E) -0.1%) but that’s not moving markets.

Today focus will be on the University of Michigan Inflation Expectations Survey, and specifically the five-year inflation expectations.  The farther they fall from 3.0%, the better for markets as it reinforces inflation is not yet a longer-term problem.  There are also three Fed speakers today: Daly (2:20 p.m. ET), Bullard & Jefferson (7:45 p.m. ET), but even if they’re hawkish they shouldn’t move markets.