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CPI Preview Scenarios: Good, Bad, Ugly

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CPI Preview Scenarios: Strengthen your market knowledge with a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • CPI Preview Scenarios: Good, Bad, Ugly
  • Table: CME FedWatch Tool Shows No Additional Rate Hikes This Cycle

Stock futures are modestly lower today as ORCL offered disappointed revenue guidance after yesterday’s close. And, while economic data was largely disappointing overnight.

Economically, the German ZEW Survey’s Current Conditions Index fell to -79.4 vs. (E) -71.3. U.K. Also, wage growth rose to 8.5% vs. (E) 8.2% stoking stagflation concerns in Europe.

Domestically, the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell to 91.3 vs. (E) 91.7 in August. This was well below the long-term average of 98.0 pointing to deteriorating sentiment among small business owners.

Today, there are no additional economic reports today and no Fed officials are scheduled to speak which will leave equity traders focused on AAPL’s new product event. Tech shares have been driving the major stock indices so far this week (TSLA and QCOM yesterday, ORCL this morning) so any meaningful reaction in AAPL shares will likely move the broader indices as focus turns ahead to CPI tomorrow.

Finally, there is a 10-Yr T-Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET that could move fixed-income markets and see equities reprice inflation expectations ahead of tomorrow’s widely anticipated inflation release, but no major moves are expected before tomorrow’s CPI print.

CPI Preview

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Stable Treasury Yields: Tom Essaye’s Insight

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Stable Treasury Yields: Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s

Stocks Are Rising, With Tech Leading the Way Higher

Technology stocks were leading the broader market higher in early Monday trading as traders braced for a busy week ahead.

“Today there are no notable economic reports nor any Fed speakers, so focus will remain on Treasury yields and if yields are relatively stable, then stocks can rebound from last week’s losses,” writes Sevens Report Research’s Tom Essaye. 

The big event of the week will be the release of the consumer-price index for August on Wednesday. The inflation reading will inform the Federal Reserve’s next moves on inflation. 

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on September 11th, 2023. However, to see Tom’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

Treasury Yields

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Focus Remains on Treasury Yields Today

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Today’s Focus Remains on Treasury Yields – Tom Essaye Quoted in MarketWatch

Dow edges up as stocks look to rebound ahead of coming inflation, retail sales data

U.S. stock indexes were up as of Monday afternoon, with consumer discretionary shares and several technology companies leading the broader market higher, as traders braced for a busy week of economic data releases.

“No major U.S. economic data is set for release on Monday, so the focus will remain on Treasury yields”, said Tom Essaye, president of the Sevens Report Research. 

“If yields are relatively stable, then stocks can rebound from last week’s losses”, Essaye said in an email.

Also, click here to view the full MarketWatch article published on September 11th, 2023. However, to see Tom’s full comments on today’s market insights sign up here.

Treasury Yields

If you want research that comes with no long term commitment, yet provides independent, value added, plain English analysis of complex macro topics, then begin your Sevens Report subscription today by clicking here.

To strengthen your market knowledge take a free trial of The Sevens Report.

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.

Navigating Market Signals: Tom Essaye’s Insight on Growth and Demand

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Market Growth and Demand Signals – Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s: Strengthen your market knowledge with a free trial of The Sevens Report.

U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Higher Oil Prices Renew Inflation Fears

Economic data on tap includes the ISM services index for August, the trade balance for July, and the release of the Fed’s Beige Book, an anecdotal report of current economic conditions published eight times a year.

“As has been the case lately, the market is looking for signs of slowing demand but not a sharp downturn in growth,” said Tom Essaye, the founder of Sevens Report Research.

“The ISM will be the more important report to watch so a number that is ‘too hot’ or ‘too cold’ will likely see yesterday’s stock market declines extended, while a Goldilocks print will help markets stabilize.”

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on September 7th, 2023. However, to see Tom’s full comments on market growth and demand signals sign up here.

Market Growth and Demand Signals

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.

Evidence of Some Deterioration in the Fundamentals

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Deterioration in the Fundamentals: Strengthen your market knowledge with a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Table:  Evidence of Some Deterioration in the Fundamentals

Futures are modestly lower on another negative AAPL article and more mixed economic data.

AAPL shares fell another 3% pre-market as Bloomberg also reported certain Chinese government agencies would be banned from using foreign made phones.

Economically, Chinese exports were no worse than feared (-8.8%). However, German Industrial Production missed estimates (-0.8% vs. (E) -0.2%) as global recession fears crept higher.

Today focus will be on economic data and Fed speak.  The two key reports to watch are Jobless Claims (E: 238K) and Unit Labor Costs (E: 1.7%).  Markets will want to see the former rise more than expected (but not too much more) and the later be less than expectations.  The opposite (low claims and high Unit Labor Costs) will push Treasuries higher and weigh further on stocks.

Turning to the Fed, New York Fed President Williams speaks at 3:30 ET. Since he’s part of Fed leadership, we’ll pay attention and markets will hope he hints that rate hikes are done.  Bostic also speaks at 3:45 ET but his message will likely be predictably dovish, and as such it won’t move markets.

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Is Soft Economic Data a Reason to Buy Stocks?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • An Easing of the Labor Market Is a Good Thing, But Be Careful What You Wish For…
  • Jobless Claims vs. the S&P 500 – An Ominous Chart
  • JOLTS Takeaways
  • Consumer Confidence Shows Measurable Deterioration in Current Family Financial Situations: Chart

Futures are slightly lower this morning as yesterday’s sizeable rally in the S&P 500 is digested ahead of more domestic jobs data while global markets were mixed overnight.

In Asia, PBOC officials met with leaders from the private sector regarding stimulus and development, but so far, government efforts have been underwhelming and Chinese markets ended little changed.

In Europe, some regional German inflation statistics came in hot, buoying government bond yields this morning which could weigh on equities if the trend continues into the U.S. session.

Today, focus will be on economic data early with the ADP Employment Report (E: 200K) and GDP report (E: 2.4%) due out ahead of the bell while Pending Home Sales (E: -0.4%) will be released shortly after the open.

There are no Fed speakers today, so investors will be looking for more evidence that supports a continued pause in the Fed’s rate hiking cycle (or peak rates already being in) and ultimately a soft landing. Anything that contradicts that narrative will be a headwind on equities and other risk assets today.

Why Could CPI Be Poised to Drop Further?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Could CPI Be Poised to Drop Further?
  • Chart: Zillow Observable Rent Index

U.S. stock futures are slightly higher this morning, tracking modest gains in global shares thanks to news that China is considering deeper rate cuts on deposits and mortgages while important economic data due later in the week remains in focus.

Economically, the German GfK Consumer Climate Index for September fell to -25.5 vs. (E) -24.3 underscoring widely held concerns about the future of the Eurozone economy.

Looking into today’s session, there are three economic reports due out this morning: Case-Shiller Home Price Index (E: 1.1%), Consumer Confidence (E: 116.5), JOLTS (E: 9.559M).

Markets will be looking for easing, but still healthy consumer confidence readings and a declining, but not collapsing JOLTS figure to support the thesis that the economy is slowing at a pace consistent with a soft landing. Data that is too strong or too weak will likely weigh on equities.

Additionally, there is a 3-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET and if the outcome is weak pushing rates higher, that will create a headwind on risk assets.

Finally, there is one Fed official scheduled to speak today: Barr (3:00 p.m. ET). Considered a centrist, his comments will be closely scrutinized for any clues of a shift in policy expectations following Powell’s Jackson Hole speech Friday.

Why Have Markets Become Volatile?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Have Markets Become Volatile?
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Are the Three Pillars of the Rally Under Attack?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Key Growth and Jobs Data This Week

Futures are slightly higher following more small stimulus steps from Chinese authorities, as investors look ahead to an important week of economic data.

Chinese authorities reduced the stamp tax on stock investment, providing a small economic tailwind and boost to Chinese stock prices.

Economically, the only notable number was the EU Money Supply (M3) and the number was bad as M3 declined –0.4% vs. (E) 0.6%.

Today there are no notable economic reports so markets will focus on the tech sector to see if it can continue to stabilize after last Thursday’s ugly reversal.

Why Didn’t NVDA Earnings Spark A Rally?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Didn’t NVDA Earnings Spark A Rally?

Futures are bouncing modestly following a quiet night of news and as investors look ahead to Powell’s speech later this morning.

EU economic data was soft again overnight, as German IFO Business Expectations missed estimates (82.6 vs. (E) 83.6) and added to the list of disappointing economic reports this week.

Today focus will be on Powell’s speech (10:00 a.m. ET) and if Powell’s tone implies “higher for longer” on rates, that will boost Treasury yields and pressure stocks.  Conversely, if he talks about being “patient” with the 2% inflation target, that will be seen as dovish.

Away from Powell, the only notable reports are Consumer Sentiment (E: 71.2) and the One-Year Inflation Expectations (E: 3.3%) and Five-year Inflation Expectations (E: 2.9%).   If inflation expectations are solidly under estimates, that’ll be a mild positive for markets.

Is Bad Economic Data Good For Stocks Now?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is Bad Economic Data Good For Stocks Now?  No.
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

S&P 500 futures are solidly higher thanks to strength in tech following very strong NVDA earnings.

NVDA beat earnings estimates and raised guidance on strong AI chip demand and the stock is up 8% pre-market and boosting Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures.

However, the “non-tech” parts of the market are flat to down as investors digest Wednesday’s disappointing economic data.

Today another AI driven rally in tech, following the NVDA earnings, should help support markets.  But, away from tech, markets will be focused on Jobless Claims (242K) and Durable Goods (E: -4.0%), and again the key here is stability, in that the data doesn’t show a sudden deterioration in activity (so spike in claims, drop in Durable Goods) or extreme strength (which would undo yesterday’s Treasury yield decline and weigh on the markets).