Posts

Are Policy Mistake Fears Rising?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Bottom Line: Are Central Banks Tightening Policy into an Economic Slowdown?
  • Philly Fed and Flash PMI Takeaways (Both Missed Expectations)
  • Chart: Jobless Claims Remain Low

U.S. stock futures are trading lower along with most global equity markets today as investors digest the hawkish shift by most global central banks this week while concerns about the health of the economy rebound continue.

Economically, Eurozone HICP (their CPI equivalent) rose 0.4% vs. (E) 0.5% in November, easing some of the recent inflation concerns while the latest German Ifo Survey missed estimates on both current and future business expectations metrics which weighed on the regional growth outlook.

Today, there are no economic reports due out in the U.S. however there are two Fed speakers to watch: Daly (1:00 p.m. ET) and Waller (1:00 p.m. ET). The market will want to see Fed chatter echo Powell’s mostly dovish tone from the press conference on Wednesday and any hints at a more aggressive or sooner rate hiking cycle will cause more volatility today.

Finally, today is quadruple witching options expiration so expect very high trading volumes along with the threat of amplified moves as traders continue to digest this week’s hawkish pivot amid year-end rebalancing.

What the SPR Release Means for Oil

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Global Flash Composite PMI Data Takeaways
  • What the SPR Release Means for Oil

Stock futures are trading lower and international markets were mixed overnight as investors look ahead to a very busy day of economic data while volumes are already thinning out given the Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow.

Today, there is a slew of economic data due out including: Durable Goods Orders (E: 0.3%), Q3 GDP (E: 2.1%), Jobless Claims (E: 264K), New Home Sales (E: 790K), Core PCE (E: 0.4%, 4.1%), and Consumer Sentiment (E: 66.9).

There are no Fed officials speaking today however the November FOMC meeting minutes will be released at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Bottom line, investors will be looking for good economic data today, but not so good that it will cause the Fed to accelerate tapering plans or pull forward the first rate hikes. That is especially true for the Core PCE print as it is the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation.

Why Does the Market Think COVID Has Peaked?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Does the Market Think COVID Has Peaked?
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are slightly lower following a quiet night of news as markets digest this week’s rally.

Chinese shares saw profit taking (Hang Seng down –2%) and that’s weighing on global stocks slightly, but there was no materially negative news out of China overnight.

Economic data was sparse as the German Gfk Consumer Climate slightly missed expectations (-1.2 vs. –1.0) while the Euro Zone money supply met estimates (up 8.1%).

Today we do get two economic reports including Jobless Claims (E: 340K) and revised Q2 GDP (E: 6.6%) but neither number should move markets unless they are major surprises.  Instead, pre-Powell speech positioning will likely dominate markets today (Powell’s speech is tomorrow) and given stocks hit new highs this week, don’t be surprised if there’s some mild profit taking ahead of Powell’s speech tomorrow.  Finally, in the bond markets, there’s a seven year Treasury auction mid-day today, and if the results are soft look for a continued rally in the 10 year yield (and an improving technical outlook for that yield).

 

Thank You!

I wanted to say a heartfelt, “Thank you” to all of you who sent me condolences and well wishes over the past week.

While I wish I could respond to each individual email or call, there have literally been hundreds of them, and if I took on that endeavor I’d have no time to write the Report! I believe that continuing to stay focused on the

markets and helping us to navigate this unprecedented time successfully is the best way I can show you my thanks, and you can count on me to do just that.

Again, thank you all.  You have made this time easier.

Tom Essaye Quoted in CNBC on August 5, 2021

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10-year Treasury yield tops 1.2% after weekly jobless claims data matches expectations

Negatively, there remain aggressive buyers on Treasury dips and it’s going to take a real, impactful headline…Tom Essaye of Sevens Report said in a note. Click here to read the full article.

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Tom Essaye Quoted in Market Watch on August 5, 2021

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Treasury yields end higher as jobless claims fall

The 10-year yield bounced off the 1.13% level (which seems to be support) and clearly the 10-year can react…Tom Essaye, founder of the Sevens Report Research, said in a note. Click here to read the full article.

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What the Fed Decision Means for Markets

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What the Fed Decision Means for Markets
  • EIA and Oil Market Update

Futures are marginally higher following some infrastructure progress combined with a bounce in Chinese stocks.

The bi-partisan $1 trillion infrastructure bill (which the market wants) comfortably passed a key Senate vote on Wednesday, although it still remains a long way from becoming law.

Chinese shares bounced as officials tried to calm markets, although nothing materially positive happened and this should be viewed as nothing more than an oversold bounce.

Today the financial media focus will be on Initial Q2 GDP (E: 8.0%), but as we and others have said, GDP doesn’t usually move markets, and likely won’t today.  Instead, Jobless Claims (E: 390K) will be the key economic report today, specifically whether the increase from last week continues, or is reversed (if it’s reversed, that will be a mild positive for stocks).  We also get Pending Home Sales (E: -0.8%) but that shouldn’t move markets.

On the earnings front, the key number today comes after the close from AMZN ($12.22), while we’ll also be watching MA ($1.72) and MO ($1.17).

Why Powell Wasn’t Dovish (Tapering is Coming)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Powell Wasn’t Dovish (Tapering is Coming)
  • Infrastructure Update (Tax Hike Risks)
  • Oil Update, EIA Analysis, and OPEC Outlook (Where is Oil Going?)

Futures are modestly lower following mixed Chinese economic data.

Chinese Fixed Asset Investment, Retail Sales, and Industrial Production all beat estimates, although they were offset by a miss in Q1 GDP (7.9% vs. (E) 8.2%).  But, while GDP got most of the headlines, the bottom line is the rest of the data is more current, and on balance, the outlook for the Chinese economy has improved (which is good for global stocks).

Today there are numerous economic reports to watch including, in order of importance:   Philly Fed Manufacturing Index (E: 28.5), Empire State Manufacturing Index (E: 18.3), Jobless Claims (E: 368K), and Industrial Production (E: 0.7%).  As has been the case “Goldilocks” data with muted pricing indices will help stocks rally (markets won’t want to see data that’s too strong or too weak).

Turning to the Fed, Chair Powell speaks to the Senate at 9:30 a.m. ET but we should expect the same message as Wednesday and his comments shouldn’t move markets.

Finally, earnings season continues to gain momentum and some reports we’ll be watching today include: TSC ($0.89), MS ($1.63), UNH ($4.41), USB ($1.14), BK ($1.01).

Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s on July 1, 2021

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Walgreens Dips, Micron Falls, and Stocks Are Steady After Jobless Claims Data

Markets will want ‘Goldilocks’ data to start the quarter, in that the numbers show solid activity, but…writes Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research. Click here to read the full article.

What the Fed Decision Means for Markets

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What the More Hawkish Than Expected Fed Decisions Means for Markets
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are modestly lower as markets digest yesterday’s more hawkish than expected FOMC meeting.

The U.S. dollar is surging this morning off the more hawkish than expected Fed and gold is getting hit hard as currency markets re-price for a less dovish Fed.

Economically the only notable number was the Australian Labour Force Survey, which handily beat expectations (115k job adds vs. (E) 30k), reflecting the global nature of the economic recovery.

Today there are two notable economic reports, Jobless Claims (E: 364K) and Philadelphia Fed manufacturing Index (E: 30.8) but unless either number is a substantial surprise, they shouldn’t move markets.  Instead, markets will be watching the dollar and Treasury yields for reaction to the Fed.  If both rally hard throughout the day, that will pressure stocks further as it erodes some of the “dovish Fed” support that’s helped the S&P 500 rally to recent highs.

Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s on May 27, 2021

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Stocks Edge Higher as Jobless Claims Continue to Decline

Inflation not being temporary is easily the biggest long-term risk to this market, because it will cause the Fed to get more…writes Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research. Click here to read the full article.