The 23 largest banks in the U.S. passed the Fed’s annual stress tests, and while none were expected to fail, the fact that there were no negative surprises is a general positive for the banking sector and financials, Tom Essaye, founder of research firm Sevens Reports, wrote Thursday. Click here to read the full article.
What’s in Today’s Report:
Futures are flat to start the second half of 2023 following a quiet weekend of news.
Economic data was mixed overnight as the EU Manufacturing PMI slightly missed estimates (43.4 vs. (E) 43.6) while the UK reading slightly beat expectations (46.5 vs. (E) 46.2), but neither number is moving markets.
Saudi Arabia and Russia made separate announcements about further reducing oil supply in the coming months, although they aren’t causing a material rally.
Today focus will be on the ISM Manufacturing PMI (E: 47.2) and at this point, and with yields this high, markets need to see solid data and that means the ISM Manufacturing PMI moving closer towards 50 and beating expectations.
As a reminder, the stock market will close at 1:00 p.m. today ahead of the July 4th holiday.
Sevens Report Quarterly Letter Delivered Today
Our Q2 ’23 Quarterly Letter will be released today.
We use our strength (writing about the markets) to help you:
You can view our Q1 ’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.
What’s in Today’s Report:
Futures are moderately higher mostly on momentum and end of quarter/half positioning, as economic data overnight was mixed but not bad enough to interrupt the rally.
European inflation (HICP) fell to 5.5% vs. (E) 5.7% y/y, although the more important core reading rose to 5.4% y/y from 5.3%, as expected. So, there was some progress on headline inflation, but core inflation remains a problem.
In China, the June Manufacturing PMI rose to 49.0 vs. (E) 49.1, which is increasing expectations for more stimulus.
Today focus will be on inflation via the Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.4% m/m, 4.7% y/y). The idea of “No Landing” requires inflation to, at a minimum, stay flat, so any hotter than expected inflation metric will push yields higher and that likely would weigh on stocks today.
If the current Fed is listening to Bernanke (and I imagine they are), then the Fed may be more focused on unemployment than anyone appreciates, that’s why there is 50 more basis points of hiking in store, probably regardless if CPI declines further, says Essaye. Click here to read the full article.
What’s in Today’s Report:
Futures are modestly higher after all 23 U.S. banks passed the Fed’s annual stress tests.
The 23 largest banks in the U.S. passed the Fed’s annual stress tests, and while none were expected to fail, the fact that there were no negative surprises is a general positive for the banking sector and financials.
Economically, Euro Zone Economic Sentiment, was basically in-line with expectations and isn’t moving markets.
Today focus will be on economic data, and the key reports today are: German CPI (E: 6.3% y/y), Jobless Claims (E: 270k) and Final Q1 GDP (E: 1.4%). Markets have priced in “Immaculate Disinflation” so inflation needs to continue to fall everywhere (including Germany), while markets also need to see jobless claims gradually rise (a big spike in claims would be a negative) to keep to bullish momentum going.
Sevens Report Q2 ’23 Quarterly Letter Coming Monday, July 3rd.
The Q2 2023 Quarterly Letter will be delivered to subscribers on Monday, July 3rd.
Stocks were surprisingly strong in the first half of 2023, but with investor sentiment now very bullish and the financial media proclaiming a new “Bull Market” has started, it’s important for advisors to keep client expectations grounded. A well-written quarterly letter that details the opportunities and risks facing investors can keep investor expectations grounded.
We will deliver the Q2 ‘23 Quarterly Letter on the first business day of the new quarter because we want you to be able to send your quarterly letter before your competition (and with little-to-no work from you).
You can view our Q1 ’23 Quarterly Letter here.
To learn more about the product (including price) please click this link, and if you’re interested in subscribing please email info@sevensreport.com.
What’s in Today’s Report:
Futures are slightly lower on potentially negative U.S./China trade headlines and after more hawkish rhetoric from ECB members.
A WSJ article released late Tuesday stated the U.S. was considering more restrictions on chip exports to China, and that’s weighing on sentiment and the chip stocks.
Multiple ECB members made hawkish comments overnight, increasing the expectation for two more rate hikes.
Today there are no notable economic reports, but Fed Chair Powell does speak at 9:30 a.m. ET. However, if he just reiterates his previous message (progress has been made on inflation but the work isn’t done, meaning another rate hike) then his comments shouldn’t materially move markets.
Tom Essaye, a former Merrill Lynch trader who founded “The Sevens Report” newsletter, wrote that the political strife in Russia is likely to have little market impact. Looking forward, obviously this injects more geopolitical uncertainty into the world, but as long as commodity prices don’t spike higher, the markets will largely ignore Russian political volatility, he wrote. Click here to read the full article.
What’s in Today’s Report:
Equity futures are modestly higher this morning as traders weigh renewed optimism about Chinese growth against more hawkish policy speak from multiple ECB officials, including President Lagarde, reiterating the need for a “higher for longer” policy rate path.
Premier Li of China confirmed the government is committed to achieving their 5% GDP target overnight which helped Asian markets outperform and fueled modest risk-on money flows around the globe.
Today’s list of economic data releases is a long one with Durable Goods Orders (E: -1.0%), Case-Shiller Home Price Index (E: 0.5%), FHFA House Price Index (E: 0.4%), Consumer Confidence (E: 103.7), and New Home Sales (E: 663K).
Beyond those economic reports, there are no Fed officials scheduled to speak today but there is a 5-Yr Treasury Note Auction at 1:00 p.m. ET that could move yields and influence equity market trading.
Bottom line, in order for markets to stabilize here and stocks to resume their 2023 rally, we will need to see signs of slowing, but not collapsing growth in today’s economic data and no surprises in the Treasury auction. Looking ahead, trading may slow down some today as investors position into tomorrow’s Central Bank Forum hosted by the ECB in which Fed Chair Powell will participate.
What’s in Today’s Report:
Futures are slightly lower as markets digest the political volatility in Russia and underwhelming economic data.
A short-lived rebellion by the Wagner private army against the Russian government dominated headlines this weekend, but from a market standpoint this only matters via its impact on oil prices, and they are little changed.
Economically, German IFO Business Expectations fell to 83.6 vs. (E) 88.0, which is the second weak German economic number in the past two trading days.
Today focus will remain on the Russian political situation, so watch oil to cut through the headline noise. If oil rises sharply, the situation is deteriorating and that would weigh on markets.
What’s in Today’s Report:
Stock futures are tracking global equity markets lower this morning while longer duration bonds are rallying after soft PMI data in Europe bolstered recession fears overnight.
Economically, the Eurozone Composite PMI Flash fell to 50.3 vs. (E) 52.5 indicating the EU economy is on the brink contracting.
The Manufacturing PMI was better than feared but the Services PMI dropped to 52.4 vs. (E) 54.7 pointing to a sudden slowdown in the service sector which accounts for the bulk of developed economic growth around the globe.
Looking into today’s session, focus will be on the U.S. PMI Flash data due out shortly after the bell with the Manufacturing PMI Flash expected to come in at 48.5 while the Services PMI Flash is expected at 53.5. If the data meaningfully disappoints, especially in the service sector, expect more risk off money flows amid growing recession worries today.
Finally, there are two Fed officials speaking today: Bostic (7:30 a.m. ET) and Mester (1:40 p.m. ET) but it is unlikely that either materially deviates from the Fed’s narrative from the last week which is continued commitment to reigning in inflation with further policy tightening in H2’23.