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Renewed Rotation Risks (Smart Money Is Getting Defensive)

Renewed Rotation Risks (Smart Money Is Getting Defensive): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Recent Sector Performance Points to Smart Money Getting Defensive
  • Chart – 10Y-2Y Yield Curve Spread Revisits the Zero-Bound

U.S. equity futures are slightly higher after a mostly quiet night of news as traders look ahead to NVDA earnings.

There was no economic data overnight but the BOJ’s Deputy Governor, Himino, reiterated that policy makers would continue raising rates with the “utmost vigilance,” which supported a modest bid in equity markets and other risk assets overnight.

Looking into today’s session, there are no notable economic reports and just one Fed speaker after the close: Bostic (6:00 p.m. ET).

There is a 5-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET and given the strong performance in the belly of the duration curve since the start of August, traders will be looking for demand to remain solid to confirm the recent drop in yields is sustainable.

Finally, likely the biggest catalyst of the week will come after the close today with NVDA earnings ($0.65) due shortly after the bell. Other notable companies reporting quarterly results today include CRM ($2.35) and HPQ ($0.86) but the main focus will be on NVDA as options traders are pricing in a volatile 10%+ reaction (up or down) to the earnings release and given the stocks heavy weight in the major indexes, a move of that magnitude will have an impact on the broader market in the back half of the week.


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Tech Weakness Amid Bullish Investor Sentiment

Tech Weakness Amid Bullish Investor Sentiment: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Was Tech So Weak Yesterday?
  • How Bullish Is Investor Sentiment? (Very Bullish)
  • Chart – A Concerning Pattern in the SOX

U.S. stock futures are little changed this morning after a mostly quiet night of news as investors look ahead to NVDA earnings tomorrow.

Economically, German GDP rose to 0.0% vs. (E) -0.1% while the German GfK Consumer Climate Index fell to -22.0 vs. (E) -17.9, both of which are reinforcing growth concerns for the Eurozone right now.

Today, there are multiple economic releases to watch including the Case-Shiller Home Price Index (E: 6.9%), FHFA House Price Index (E: 5.7%), Consumer Confidence (E: 100.1), and the Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index (E: -14.0). Most of the releases are “second tiered” and lesser followed reports but investors will still want to see evidence of stabilizing growth and disinflation trends continuing.

There are no Fed officials scheduled to speak today but there is a 2-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET that could shed light on investor expectations for Fed policy in the months ahead in the wake of Powell’s Jackson Hole commentary. An auction with demand that is “too strong” could rekindle recession fears while an auction that is “too weak” could trigger hawkish money flows.


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What Powell and Uedas’ Friday Comments Mean for Markets

What Powell and Uedas’ Friday Comments Mean for Markets: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Powell and Uedas’ Friday Comments Mean for Markets
  • Weekly Market Preview:  A Big Week for Tech Earnings (Including NVDA on Wednesday)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  A Most Quiet Week But Thursday/Friday Are Important

Futures are slightly higher following a mostly quiet weekend, thanks to momentum from Friday’s rally as investors digest Powell’s promise of coming rate cuts.

Economically, the only notable number overnight was the German Ifo Business Expectations and it slightly beat estimates (86.8 vs. (E) 86.5).

Geopolitically, a cease fire was not reached this weekend between Israel and Hamas although investors remain optimistic that a deal is close.

Today the only notable economic report is July Durable Goods (E: 4.0%) and markets will want to see stability in the data (so close to expectations) to ensure the recent plateau in business spending isn’t becoming a decline.  If Durable Goods is in-line, expect a continuation of the early rally.


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The market is very sensitive to soft labor market data

The market is very sensitive to soft labor market data: Tom Essaye Quoted in MarketWatch


Revisions to U.S. jobs data due Wednesday have the potential to weigh on the stock market

The 12-month average for job additions over the revision period was 241,000 — a “very strong” figure that implies a solid labor market, noted Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research. A downward revision of 600,000 would drop the average payrolls gain to 191,000, while a downward revision of 1 million would make what’s been strong jobs data “more middling,” he wrote.

“This matters because the market is very sensitive to soft labor market data and we know that from the recent pop in jobless claims and July jobs report. So, while investors are ok ignoring most disappointing data, they aren’t ignoring soft labor market data and if these revisions are worse than expected, look for it to weigh on stocks today,” Essaye said.

Also, click here to view the full MarketWatch article published on August 21st, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.


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The Concerning Gap Between Stocks, Treasuries and the Yen

The Concerning Gap Between Stocks, Treasuries and the Yen: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • The Concerning Gap Between Stocks, Treasuries and the Yen
  • Oil Update (Why is Oil Hitting Multi-Month Lows?)

Futures are slightly higher on more Goldilocks economic data.

The EU and UK August flash composite PMIs were better than expected (51.2 vs. (E) 50.7 in the EU and 53.4 vs. (E) 52.9 in the UK) and that’s supporting the global soft landing narrative.

On inflation, EU wages rose less than expected in Q2, reinforcing expectations for a Sept. rate cut from the ECB.

Today focus will be on economic data as today is the most important day of the week from a data standpoint.  Key reports, in order of importance, include Jobless Claims (E: 234K), August Flash Composite PMI (E: 53.3) and Existing Home Sales (E: 3.90 million).  More Goldilocks data (at or close to expectations) should further support the rally and if that’s the case, new highs for the S&P 500 shouldn’t be a shock.


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Watch the BLS Revisions Today

Watch the BLS Revisions Today: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Something to Watch Today: BLS Revisions
  • How a Fed Mistake Would Impact Commodities
  • VIX Expiration Poses Threat to Short-Volatility Trade – Chart

Futures are slightly higher as traders await job growth revisions from the BLS after a mostly quiet night of news.

Economically, Japanese trade data revealed a deeper than anticipated deficit in July but amid solid import/export growth numbers which importantly helped pause a rally in the yen and reduced pressure on risk assets overnight.

Looking into today’s session, there are no typical economic reports on the calendar, however, the BLS Revisions to Net Payroll Growth for the trailing 12-months through March 2024 will be released at 10:00 a.m. ET and a significant downward revision could rekindle the recession fears initially sparked by the July jobs report which would result in broad market volatility.

In the afternoon, there is a 20-Yr Bond auction at 1:00 p.m. ET which could move yields and influence equity markets before investor focus will turn to the release of the July FOMC Meeting Minutes at 2:00 p.m. ET.

Finally, earnings season continues to wind down but a few notable companies reporting today include: TGT ($2.17), TJX $0.92), ZM ($1.21).


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U.S. oil futures fell to new lows for the week

U.S. oil futures fell to new lows for the week: Sevens Report Co-Editor, Tyler Richey, Quoted in Morningstar


U.S. oil prices end lower for the week as demand fears outweigh Middle East war jitters

U.S. oil futures fell to new lows for the week as Chinese data showed declining imports and refinery input demand suggested that a further slowdown in the Chinese economy will weigh on total global demand, Tyler Richey, co-editor at Sevens Report Research, told MarketWatch. Data from China reportedly showed refinery runs fell 6.1% year over year in July.

That followed a negative International Energy Agency report on Thursday, which mentioned a likely surplus emerging in the physical market in the quarters ahead, and a “lackluster” weekly Energy Information Administration report Wednesday, which showed a surprise build in headline crude stockpiles, Richey noted.

Gains early on this week were geopolitically driven amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, said Richey.

Looking ahead, Richey said that “geopolitical tensions remain an influence on the market … with a mild fear bid remaining in place.” However, “recession fears have emerged to be a more important factor for the market as we approach the end of the summer driving season, and any rallies driven by headlines out of the Middle East are likely to be capped in the low $80s.”

A soft economic landing is “continuing to be priced in with oil at current levels but if a hard landing becomes more likely in the weeks or months ahead,” expect oil prices to fall, Richey said – with WTI moving toward the low to mid-$60s “not only possible, but likely.”

Also, click here to view the full MarketWatch article published on Morningstar on August 16th, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

Oil Inventories

Lastly, 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.

The Right Way to Think About Economic Growth Right Now

The Right Way to Think About Economic Growth Right Now: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Hard Landing/Soft Landing Scoreboard (The Right Way to Think About the U.S. Economy)

Futures are slightly lower following a mostly quiet night of news as markets digest Thursday’s strong rally.

The only notable economic report overnight was UK retail sales, which rose 0.8% vs. (E) 0.5% and added to Thursday’s haul of solid global data.

Geo-politically, Israel/Hamas ceasefire talks continued and any breakthrough would be a surprise market positive.

Today there are a few notable economic reports including Consumer Sentiment (E: 67.0), 1-Yr Inflation Expectations: (E: 2.9%), 5-Yr. Inflation Expectations (E: 3.0%) and Housing Starts (1.342M).  However, those numbers aren’t that important to growth so barring a major surprise, they shouldn’t move markets and we should mostly see digestion of Thursday’s big rally.

There is also one Fed speaker today, Goolsbee (1:25 p.m. ET), and he’s dovish do don’t be surprised if he openly talks about cutting rates in September.


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Why Falling Inflation Won’t Help Stocks Anymore

Why Falling Inflation Won’t Help Stocks Anymore: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Falling Inflation Won’t Help Stocks Anymore
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are slightly higher thanks to better-than-expected tech earnings and despite mixed economic data.

CSCO posted solid earnings and that’s helping extend the tech sector bounce and boosting futures.

Economically, Chinese and UK data was more mixed than good and point to a modest slowing of global growth.

Economic growth is now the main fundamental driver of this market and today is full of important growth updates including, in order of importance: Retail Sales (E: 0.3%), Jobless Claims (E: 234K), Industrial Production (E: -0.1%), Philly Fed (E: 5.8),  Empire Manufacturing (-6.0) and Housing Market Index (E: 42).  In-line to slightly underwhelming economic data will be the “best case” for stocks in the near term as it increases 50 bps rate cut chances but doesn’t imply a dramatic growth slowdown.

There are also two Fed speakers today, Musalem (9:10 a.m. ET) and Harker (1:10 p.m. ET) and officials might start to be more explicit about a rate cut following Wednesday’s CPI (Atlanta Fed President Bostic said he was open to a cut in September overnight).


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Two “Smart Market” Recession Signals to Watch For

Two “Smart Market” Recession Signals to Watch For: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Follow-Up Thoughts on the Yield Curve Reversion Process – Two Signals to Watch For
  • PPI Takeaways – Will Falling Inflation Flip from a Tailwind to a Headwind?
  • NFIB Small Business Optimism Index Echoes HD Sales Concerns

U.S. stock futures are flat as traders digest yesterday’s sizeable rally ahead of today’s critical CPI release.

Overseas, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand unexpectedly cut rates overnight citing recession concerns in H2’24 while the EU GDP Flash met estimates at 0.6% y/y helping push back on imminent recession fears.

Today, market focus will be on the key U.S. inflation data due ahead of the bell: CPI (E: 0.2% m/m, 3.0% y/y), Core CPI (E: 0.2% m/m, 3.2% y/y). A “cool” release will be welcomed and likely support an extension of the week-to-date gains while a “hot” print would be negative for risk assets.

There are no Fed speakers today, however there is a 4-Week Treasury Bill auction at 11:30 a.m. ET which normally wouldn’t pique investors interest, but this one lines up with the September Fed meeting and could shed light on the market’s policy rate expectations.

Finally, earnings season continues to wind down with a few noteworthy companies reporting today including: CAH (E: $1.72), UBS (E: $0.12), TCEHY (E: $0.61), CSCO (E: $0.85).


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