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Hard Landing/Soft Landing Scoreboard (October Update)

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

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Hard Landing/Soft Landing Scoreboard (October Update)

Futures are slightly higher thanks to better-than-expected Chinese economic data and more solid tech earnings.

Chinese Retail Sales and Fixed Asset Investment both beat estimates, boosting investor sentiment towards China.

On earnings, NFLX beat estimates and is the second straight big tech company to post solid results.

Today we have one economic report, Housing Starts (1.400M) and several Fed speakers, including Bostic (9:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. ET), Kashkari (10:00 a.m. ET) and Waller (12:10 p.m. ET).  With recent data stronger than expectations, if today’s Fed officials (including Waller) reinforce their desire for two rate cuts that will be an incremental positive.

Earnings season also continues to roll on and today we get notable reports from AXP (E: $3.27), PG (E: $1.90) and RF (E: $0.53).

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Tom Essaye Interviewed On Yahoo Finance’s Morning Brief

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A slowing economy does not necessarily mean a recession: Tom Essaye Interviewed On Yahoo Finance

Economic, geopolitical risks could be rude awakening for market

“I want everybody to realize that a slowing economy does not necessarily mean a recession, but where stocks are right now, if growth even slows to sort of flat or sub 1%, you could see a 10% drop in the S&P 500, and we wouldn’t even be probably at fair value,” Sevens Report Research founder and president Tom Essaye tells Seana Smith and Brad Smith on the Morning Brief.’

“So look, things are good right now, but I do think the market is complacent to economic slowdown risks.”

Essaye has been “advocating for focusing on quality and lowering volatility” through ETFs, and views geopolitical risks to be a chief concern at the moment.

“And then also there’s going to be a lot of political uncertainty coming out of the election, because we’re all going to be trying to game what policy changes are going to occur. All of these things can combine to sort of fracture this perfect window we’re in in the markets,” Essay explains. “All I’m trying to do is remind investors that, hey, there are risks out there and that… the stock market can go two directions as well.”

Also, click here to view the full interview with Yahoo Finance published on October 15th, 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.

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Sevens Report’s Tom Essaye also sees technical indicators flashing red

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Sevens Report’s Tom Essaye also sees technical indicators flashing red: Sevens Report Editor, Tom Essaye, Quoted in Barron’s

The Stock Market Is Rising, but So Are the Risks. What to Do Now.

Sevens Report’s Tom Essaye also sees technical indicators flashing red. The Relative Strength Index, or RSI, a momentum indicator used to identify overbought or oversold conditions, has been diverging from the S&P 500 for about six months, turning lower even as the index keeps pushing higher.

“That is a concern because it is a bearish divergence that we have repeatedly seen when lasting market tops are being established, including the early 2022 highs,” Essaye writes. “This same divergence occurred before the market peaks in 2000, 2007, and even the short-lived bear market of 2020. Bottom line, the divergence between the outright price action of the S&P 500 (hitting higher highs) and its weekly RSI indicator (establishing lower highs) is a concerning technical dynamic that warrants attention as it suggests the risks of a more pronounced pullback in the stock market is statistically elevated right now.”

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on October 9th, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

It’ll be Very Hard for This Market to RallyIf 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.

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October MMT Chart: Record Targets Amid a Cautious Divergence

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October MMT Chart: Record Targets Amid a Cautious Divergence: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • October MMT Update – Scenario Targets Hit Fresh Records
  • A Concerning Technical Divergence Has Emerged on the Weekly S&P 500 Chart

Futures are mildly lower as the DOJ said it was considering a breakup of GOOGL following a monopoly ruling which dragged down tech stocks overnight while international news was mixed.

Chinese equities retreated 7% on the session amid ongoing stimulus uncertainty, prompting the government to announce a press event for Saturday to address fiscal policy.

Looking into today’s session, there are no notable economic reports to watch, leaving focus on the September FOMC meeting minutes which are due to be released at 2:00 p.m. ET.

There are a slew of Fed speakers today including: Bostic (8:00 a.m. ET), Logan (9:15 a.m. ET), Goolsbee (10:30 a.m. ET), Barkin (12:15 p.m. ET), Jefferson (12:30 p.m. ET), Collins (5:00 p.m. ET), and Daly (6:00 p.m. ET).

A less-dovish tone from Fed speakers over the course of the last week contributed to the uptick in broad market volatility, so more of the same could pressure markets again today while any hint of another 50 bp rate cut in November could spark a dovish wave of risk-on money flows (unlikely, however, after Friday’s jobs report).

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October MMT Update: Positive News (But Priced In)

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How to Cut Through the Market Noise: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • October Market Multiple Table – Positive News But Priced In

U.S. futures are higher on dovish-leaning comments by the Fed’s Kugler overnight while global shares declined broadly in sympathy with a near-10% drop in Chinese shares after the latest government stimulus efforts disappointed.

Economically, German Industrial Production rose 2.9% vs. (E) 0.8% in August, helping easing EU growth worries while the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose to 91.5 but narrowly missed estimates of 91.7.

There are no notable economic reports today, however several Fed officials are scheduled to speak: Bostic (12:45 p.m. ET), Collins (4:00 p.m. ET), and Jefferson (7:30 p.m.). Based on the market’s positive reaction to Kugler’s comments in the pre-market, more dovish commentary has the potential to fuel a further relief rally today while a hawkish tone would likely weigh on stocks.

Finally, there is a 3-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET and given the hawkish money flows in the wake of last week’s ISM data and September jobs report, weak demand at the auction could send yields to new highs and further pressure equity markets.

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Jobs Day

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

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Day
  • Key VIX Levels to Watch

Futures are slightly higher following the end to the dockworkers’ strike and as investors wait for the jobs report and the Israeli retaliatory attack on Iran.

The dockworkers’ strike ended Thursday night, removing a potential economic headwind.

Geopolitically, markets are still awaiting the Israeli response to Iran, but reports are pointing to a military or domestic energy target, which is a mild positive (if Israel were to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities it’d be viewed as a major escalation and we’d expect oil to surge further and be a stronger headwind on stocks).

Today focus will be on the jobs report and expectations are as follows: 147K job-adds, 4.2% UE Rate and 3.8% wages (y/y).  As long as the job adds and unemployment rate are relatively close to expectations, we should see a mostly Goldilocks reaction as that implies a soft landing and will keep the Fed on track to cut twice more this year (50 bps).  The biggest risk for the market remains a very weak number.

Finally, there is also one Fed speaker today and he is part of leadership, Williams at 9:00 a.m. ET, but barring a substantial surprise, he shouldn’t move markets.

 

Sevens Report Quarterly Letter Delivered

Our Q3’24 Quarterly Letter was delivered to subscribers. We use our strength (writing about the markets) to help you:

  • Save time (an average of 4-6 hours per quarterly letter)
  • Show you’re on top of markets with impressive, compelling market analysis.

You can view our Q2 ’24 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.

Join thousands 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.

Jobs Report Preview (Important for Fed Rate Cut Expectations)

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

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Report Preview (Important for Fed Rate Cut Expectations)
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are modestly lower on continued elevated geo-political tensions and following mixed economic data.

Geopolitically, markets await the response from Israel to Tuesday’s attack and recent reports are stating it will be more aggressive than in April (increasing escalation risks).

Economically, EU and UK Service PMIs were mixed but both stayed above 50 (and economic positive).

Today focus will remain on economic data and the two key reports are Jobless Claims (E: 225K) and the ISM Services PMI (E: 51.5).  If the reports are close to in-line with expectations, look for a bounce in stocks as that will imply a still solid economy (soft landing) with looming Fed rate cuts (50 bps between now and year-end).

Regarding geopolitics, Israel’s response attack could come at any minute and the key here is whether it’s an aggressive attack on key Iranian military or oil infrastructure, or not.  If so, that could lead to further escalation (negative for the market).  If not, we likely have a repeat of April (where the situation cools down).  Regardless, watch oil.  If it spikes numerous percent (say 3% or more) that will reflect real, elevated geo-political tensions.

Sevens Report Quarterly Letter Delivered

Our Q3’24 Quarterly Letter was delivered to subscribers. We use our strength (writing about the markets) to help you:

  • Save time (an average of 4-6 hours per quarterly letter)
  • Show you’re on top of markets with impressive, compelling market analysis.

You can view our Q2 ’24 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.

Join thousands 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.

Futures contracts tied to the index are telling a different story

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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.

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Is the VIX Signaling Another Volatility Spike is Coming?

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Is the VIX Signaling Another Volatility Spike is Coming?: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is the VIX Signaling Another Volatility Spike is Coming?

Futures are sharply higher thanks to strong tech earnings, more Chinese stimulus and more global rate cuts.

Micron (MU up 15% pre-market) beat earnings and raised guidance and that’s helping futures rally this morning.

An FT article promised even more Chinese stimulus is coming and that is boosted Asian markets and U.S. futures.

Today there is potentially important economic data and the key reports are:   Jobless Claims (E: 224.5K), Durable Goods (E: 0.1%) and Final Q2 GDP (E: 3.0%).  In-line to better-than-expected readings will help further fuel this rally while weak data, especially in claims and Durable Goods, will increase hard landing fears (and weigh on stocks).

On the Fed front, there are multiple speakers today with most speaking at a Treasury Market Conference (there were so many that it’d take up the whole pre-seven look if we listed them all). The most notable is Powell (9:20 a.m. ET) but don’t expect any of the comments to move markets as the Fed told markets last week what it’s going to do and until the outlook for another 50 bps of easing changes, Fed speak shouldn’t move markets.

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Sevens Report Co-Editor Tyler Richey Quoted in S&P Global

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Rate-cut expectations played a major role in the stock market rebound: Sevens Report Co-Editor Tyler Richey Quoted in S&P Global

Stocks surge to all-time highs; market questions if Fed cuts can sustain rally

“Rate-cut expectations played a major role in the stock market rebound off the early August pullback, but only because the increasingly dovish Fed policy expectations for sooner-and-deeper rate cuts were accompanied by encouraging economic data that helped ease the suddenly urgent fears of an imminent recession in the wake of the July jobs report,” said Tyler Richey, a co-editor with Sevens Report Research.

Rate cut expectations will weigh heavily on the stock market through the end of 2024, primarily as they relate to the outlook for economic growth, said Richey with Sevens Report Research.

“Soft landings are historically elusive, and the Fed has notably never pulled one off after a deep and prolonged yield curve inversion like we have seen in the Treasury market since the summer of 2022,” he said. “Using history as a guide, we are in a late cycle environment and very likely closer to seeing a lasting market top established than a new leg higher in a sustainable bull market.”

Also, click here to view the full S&P Global article published on September 20th, 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.