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What the CPI Report Means for Markets

What the CPI Report Means for Markets: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What the CPI Report Means for Markets

Futures are modestly lower on a surprise central bank rate hike and after ADBE posted disappointing guidance.

Brazil’s Central Bank hiked rates 100 bps (more than expected) and promised more rate hikes in the future, reflecting some mild fraying of the global rate cut cycle.

ADBE guidance missed investor expectations and it’s the second underwhelming tech report this week (after ORCL).

Today focus will be on rate cuts and economic data.  First, we get the ECB Rate Decision and markets expect a 25 bps cut (if there’s no cut, that’d be a surprise negative).  Economically, the key report today is Jobless Claims (E: 220K) and markets will want to see another Goldilocks reading (so around the 220k level).  We also get the latest PPI report (E: 0.3% m/m, 2.6% y/y) but barring a big jump, it shouldn’t move markets.

Finally, on the earnings front, the key report today is AVGO ($1.39) and markets will want to see a solid tech report to stop this mini-trend of underwhelming guidance (from ORCL and ADBE this week).


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The VIX index and VIX futures both getting pressured in a big way

The VIX index and VIX futures both getting pressured in a big way: Sevens Report Co-Editor Tyler Richey Quoted in S&P Global


Stock market ‘fear gauge’ plunges; investors expect rally to persist into 2025

Volatility dynamics in the stock market have shifted since the election when many investors crowded into downside stock market hedges on fears that a Democratic victory could lead to taxes on unrealized capital gains, said Tyler Richey with Sevens Report Research. This also hurt the performance of short volatility strategies, which had been crushed by a massive VIX squeeze at the start of August, Richey said.

“Between the post-election unwind in broad stock market hedges and a suffering short-volatility crowd [throughout 2024], the derivatives market pendulum swung hard from one extreme to another with the VIX index and VIX futures both getting pressured in a big way over the last month,” Richey said.

Also, click here to view the full S&P Global article published on December 6th, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.


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Jobs Day

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


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Day
  • Updated VIX Analysis

Futures are slightly lower following a mostly quiet night of news and ahead of today’s jobs report.

Economically, German Industrial Production missed expectations (-1.0% vs. (E) 1.5%) and became the latest underwhelming EU economic report.

Today focus will be on the jobs report and expectations are as follows:  200K Job-Adds, 4.2% Unemployment Rate, 3.9% y/y Wage Growth.  A “Goldilocks” job adds number is something around the 200k expectation or lower, as long as it’s not close to zero.  Anything in that range (with mostly in-line unemployment and wages) should “green light” a Fed rate cut in December and help fuel a Santa Rally.

Speaking of the Fed, there are numerous speakers today including Bowman (9:15 a.m. ET), Goolsbee (10:30 a.m. ET), Hammack (12:00 p.m. ET) and Daly (1:00 p.m. ET).  However, most of them have spoken recently and their message has been consistent:  A December rate cut is possible but not guaranteed and rates will come down over time.  As long as that’s the message from them today, they shouldn’t impact markets.


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The bullish thesis for stocks is stronger now

The bullish thesis for stocks is stronger now: Tom Essaye Quoted in Market Watch


The market has passed four key tests, newsletter writer says

Tom Essaye, founder and president of the Sevens Report, says the bullish thesis for stocks is stronger now because all of the tests set up two weeks ago were passed.

The major economic reports of the past two weeks were solid, with the payrolls disappointment largely explained by hurricanes and strikes;

The Fed remains committed to cutting rates;

Earnings were more mixed than excellent but still haven’t changed estimates for S&P 500 earnings per share next year very much;

And Republicans have large enough majorities to push through pro-growth legislative changes.

“While the bullish thesis passed the tests of the past two weeks, do not confuse this with a market that cannot go down,” he says. “There are real risks to this rally that we cannot ignore over the medium/longer term, although investors could ignore them unless forced not to between now and year-end.” A move to 6,200 on the S&P 500 before the end of the year is “entirely possible” as he said the market will likely favor value, cyclical sectors and the equal-weight S&P 500 over the market-weighted index.

Also, click here to view the full MarketWatch article published on November 11th, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.


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.

Why the Bullish Thesis Got Stronger

Why the Bullish Thesis Got Stronger: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why the Bullish Thesis Got Stronger
  • Weekly Market Preview: Does the S&P 500 Breakthrough 6,000?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet: CPI on Wednesday, Important Growth Data on Thursday

Futures are modestly higher on post-election momentum and following a very quiet weekend of news.

Parts of the Trump administration are starting to come into view, most notably that Scott Bessent is looking most likely to become Treasury Secretary and the market views that as bullish.

Economically, there were no notable reports overnight.

Today is Veteran’s Day so trading should be quiet as there are no economic reports or Fed speakers, while the bond market is closed.  However, there are important updates this week on inflation (CPI on Wednesday) and growth (numerous reports on Thursday/Friday) so the week will get busier.


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A market that remains firmly anchored by two key beliefs

A market that remains firmly anchored by two key beliefs: Sevens Report Analysts Quoted in Investing.com


Why don’t stocks drop on bad news?

As per analysts at Sevens Report, this resilience reflects a market that remains firmly anchored by two key beliefs: economic growth will remain stable, and the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates—conditions that continue to support bullish sentiment despite growing risks.

Additionally, jobless claims surged to summer highs, suggesting some softening in the labor market. “However, that number was inflated by the Boeing strike and by unemployment related to the damage from Hurricane Helene in Florida and North Carolina,” the analysts said.

Sevens Report argues that part of the reason stocks haven’t wavered is that the risks, while real, haven’t yet materialized in ways that challenge the underlying narrative of a soft landing.

“The ‘burden of proof’ remained squarely on the bears,” the analysts said, no single negative development has been powerful enough to shift market sentiment away from expectations for stable growth and falling rates.

Also, click here to view the full article featured on Investing.com published on October 19th, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.


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.


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Futures contracts tied to the index are telling a different story

Futures contracts tied to the index are telling a different story: Tom Essaye Quoted in Market Watch


Why Wall Street’s ‘fear gauge’ could spike again around the election

But futures contracts tied to the index are telling a different story, and it’s one worth paying attention to, according to Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research.

The October VIX contract is trading at a premium to the November contract, an unusual development known to futures traders as “backwardation.” Typically, the VIX futures curve exhibits a smooth upward slope. But for most of this year, there has been a kink along this part of the curve.

According to Essaye, the inversion is notable not so much for its degree — the October contract was just 0.3 points above its September sibling as of early Thursday — but for its staying power. This segment of the curve has been in backwardation since the October contract started trading in February.

Also, click here to view the full MarketWatch article published on September 26th, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.


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 threat of significant earnings reports or major economic releases

The threat of significant earnings reports or major economic releases: Sevens Report Analysts Quoted in Investing.com


What the Fed decision means for markets, beyond the near term

Without the threat of significant earnings reports or major economic releases, investors appear to be operating in an environment that is “1) easing Fed, 2) slowing but ‘OK’ economic data, and 3) generally solid earnings,” Sevens Report said in a recent note.

According to the Sevens Report, if the rate cuts are timely, they could lead to falling yields, strong earnings growth, and positive economic tailwinds. This would likely result in continued upward momentum for stocks, with the potential for the S&P 500 to hit 6,000.

“I say that confidently because the Fed cutting in time would create this macroeconomic outcome: 1) Falling yields, 2) Continued very strong earnings growth, 3) Positive economic tailwinds, 4) The prominent existence of the Fed put and 5) Expectations of accelerating growth in the future,” President of Sevens Report wrote in the note.

Also, click here to view the full Investing.com article published on September 20th, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

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.

Hard Landing/Soft Landing Scoreboard (Updated)

Hard Landing/Soft Landing Scoreboard (Updated): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Hard Landing/Soft Landing Scoreboard (Updated)
  • Post Fed Technical Takeaways

Futures are modestly lower on disappointing earnings results and as markets digest Thursday’s big rally.

Fed Ex (FDX) missed earnings, cut guidance and voiced concern about economic growth and that negative print is contributing to the decline in futures.

The Bank of Japan kept rates unchanged (as expected) and didn’t provide a hawkish surprise, although the BOJ is expected to hike rates again between now and year-end.

Today there are no notable economic reports and just one Fed speaker (Harker (2:00 p.m. ET)) and given that lack of catalysts we’d expect some continued digestion of Thursday’s big rally.


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Wednesday’s CPI inflation report has the door open to a half-percentage-point reduction

Wednesday’s CPI inflation report: Sevens Report Founder Tom Essaye Quoted in Morningstar


The stock market is falling after CPI report. Investors may fear Fed mistake.

Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research – said that if Wednesday’s CPI inflation report came in weaker than expected and left the door open to a half-percentage-point reduction on Sept. 18, that would be “better for markets” and “generally welcome” news.

Also, click here to view the full MarketWatch article published on Morningstar on September 11th, 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.