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Why Has the Trump Trade Stalled? (Part One)

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Why Has the Trump Trade Stalled? (Part One): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Has the Trump Trade Stalled? (Part One)
  • Economic Takeaways – November Retail Sales

Stock futures are recovering some of yesterday’s losses as cooler-than-feared inflation data in the EU is driving modestly dovish money flows ahead of the Fed decision.

Economically, inflation data out of Europe was “cooler” than feared with U.K. Core CPI rising to 3.5% vs. (E) 3.6% while Eurozone HICP rose to 2.2% vs. (E) 2.3%. The “cooler” data saw rates traders price in more policy rate cuts from the ECB in 2025.

Today, there is one economic report due to be released mid-morning: Housing Starts and Permits (1.340M & 1.430M) but the primary market focus will be the Fed decision at 2:00 p.m. ET and likely more importantly, Fed Chair Powell’s press conference at 2:30 p.m. ET.

While the Fed will almost certainly be the primary catalyst for markets today, there is some micro-news that could influence sectors and sub-sectors of the equity markets as we will get late season earnings from GIS ($1.22), JBL ($1.88), MU ($1.75), and LEN ($4.18).

Bottom line, investors are looking for the Fed to reiterate their view that the economy is tracking for a soft-landing and that the FOMC is not overly concerned with the latest uptick in inflation data that could signal a sustained “pause” in rate cuts. A hawkish tone in the announcement or Powell’s press conference would likely trigger renewed selling pressure in equity markets and higher bond yields.

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What the CPI Report Means for Markets

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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 market doesn’t believe Trump will follow through with them

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Doesn’t believe Trump will follow through: Sevens Report Editor, Tom Essaye, Quoted in Barron’s

A Santa Rally Could Lead to a Sober January. Be Cautious—Not Bearish.

That is certainly the case when it comes to tariffs. So far the market has been largely ignoring their potential impact, as it “simply…doesn’t believe Trump will follow through with them,” to quote Sevens Report President Tom Essaye.

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on December 2nd, 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.

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

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Market Multiple Table: December Update

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Market Multiple Table: December Update: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Table: A New Influence That Could Increase Volatility in 2025
  • Unbranded, Shareable MMT PDF Upon Request

Stock futures are stabilizing after Monday’s modest pullback as trader focus shifts ahead to tomorrow’s CPI report. Small caps are leading in pre-market trade thanks to a surprisingly solid NFIB report released earlier this morning.

Economically, the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index surged 8 points to 101.7 in November, handily topping estimates of 94.5 to hit the highest level since June 2021. Overseas, German CPI met estimates at 2.2% y/y, another Goldilocks inflation report.

Today, there is one economic report to watch: Productivity & Costs (E: 2.2%, 1.9%). The data has an inflation component (specifically the “Costs” part) that could move yields today and influence stocks (higher yields will weigh on equities).

Additionally, there is a 3-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET and a few late-season earnings reports due out including AZO ($4.30), ASO ($1.25), and GME ($0.00).

The Treasury auction is another catalyst that could move yields and impact equities, but tomorrow’s CPI report is becoming the primary focus on the market as we progress through the week so market moves should be limited by trader positioning today.

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Why There’s A Clear Path for the Santa Rally

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Why There’s A Clear Path for the Santa Rally: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why There’s A Clear Path for the Santa Rally
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Do inflation metrics make a December rate cut guaranteed?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  CPI on Wednesday is the key report

Futures are slightly lower as geo-political unrest is slightly outweighing more stimulus promises from China.

Geopolitically, rebels overthrew the Assad regime in Syria over the weekend.  While this is a major geo-political event, the impact on markets is likely small given Syria isn’t a major oil exporter.

China’s officials promised an easier monetary policy bias and more fiscal stimulus over the weekend, boosting Chinese shares.

Today there are no notable economic reports nor any Fed speakers so focus will on be geo-politics and oil prices.  As long as the turmoil in Syria doesn’t push oil prices higher, it shouldn’t impact stocks.

 

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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
  • 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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Why the Gaetz Withdrawal Sparked Yesterday’s Rally

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Why the Gaetz Withdrawal Sparked Yesterday’s Rally: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why the Gaetz Withdrawal Sparked Yesterday’s Rally
  • Examining the Strange Positive VIX and S&P 500 Correlation

Futures are modestly weaker following surprisingly disappointing economic data from Europe.

The EU November flash PMIs tumbled (48.1 vs. (E) 50.2) with all three metrics (composite, manufacturing and services) falling below 50 and signaling contraction.

Similarly, the UK November flash PMIs were also weak (49.9 vs. (E ) 51.8) signaling a sudden drop in activity.

Today focus will remain on data and the more Goldilocks the data, the better for markets.  The key reports today are the November Flash Manufacturing PMI (E: 48.8) and Flash Services PMI (E: 55.2) while we also get Consumer Sentiment (E: 73) and, within that report, the 1-Yr Inflation expectations (E: 2.6%).  Again, in-line to slightly soft data will be the best outcome for stocks, as that implies solid growth and encourages a rate cut in December.

Finally, there is one Fed speaker today, Bowman (6:15 p.m. ET), but she shouldn’t move markets.

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Market Multiple Table: How High Can This Market Go?

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Market Multiple Table: How High Can Stocks Go?: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Table: How High Can This Market Go?

Stock futures are modestly lower with the dollar index at a multi-year high and the 10-Yr yield holding above 4.40%, a multi-month high, as traders look ahead to the CPI report.

Economically, Japanese PPI notably jumped from 2.8% to 3.4% y/y in October which raised inflation concerns in Asian markets.

Today, trader focus will almost exclusively be on the latest U.S. inflation data due out before the bell: CPI (E: 0.2% m/m, 2.6% y/y), Core CPI (E: 0.3% m/m, 3.3% y/y). A “hotter” than anticipated print will likely trigger hawkish money flows, pushing the dollar index and Treasury yields to new highs which would weigh on stocks while an as-expected or “cool” print would be well-received.

Additionally, there are several Fed speakers on the calendar who could move markets: Logan (9:45 a.m. ET),  Musalem (1:00 p.m. ET), and Schmid (1:30 p.m. ET).

Lastly, earnings season continues to slow down but a few notable companies reporting quarterly results today include: HUT (-$0.24), NU ($0.10), and CSCO ($0.87).

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What Yesterday’s Rate Cut Means for Markets

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What Yesterday’s Rate Cut Means for Markets: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Yesterday’s Rate Cut Means for Markets

Futures are slightly lower mostly on digestion of the week’s news and after Chinese stimulus only met expectations.

China announced a 1.4 trillion-yuan fiscal stimulus program (so government spending) although that only met expectations and is seeing a mild “sell the news” reaction.

Today the calendar is relatively quiet (especially considering what a busy week it’s been already) but there is still one notable economic release, the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment (E: 70.8) and, contained in that report, the One-Year Inflation Expectations (E: 2.7%).  Markets will want to see both numbers hit expectations and not be “Too Hot” (especially for inflation expectations).

We also have two Fed speakers today, Bowman (11:00 a.m. ET) and Musalem (2:30 p.m. ET), but given the Fed decision yesterday they shouldn’t move markets.

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FOMC Preview

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

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • FOMC Preview
  • EIA Data Takeaways – Oil Market Fundamentals Continue to Deteriorate

Futures are slightly higher this morning as markets are largely holding yesterday’s sizeable post-election gains with trader focus shifting to today’s Fed decision.

Economically, data was mostly solid overnight as Chinese exports jumped +12.7% y/y in October (+2.4% in September) while EU Retail Sales were inline with estimates, up 0.5% last month.

Today is lining up to be a critical day for markets as traders assess the big week-to-date gains. Early focus will be on economic data with two notable releases due before the open: Jobless Claims (E: 221K) and Productivity & Costs (E: 2.5%, 1.0%).

From there, markets are likely to turn sideways as traders position into the afternoon Fed events beginning with the FOMC Announcement at 2:00 p.m. ET, followed up by Fed Chair Powell’s press conference 2:30 p.m. ET. Anything other than the expected 25 basis point rate cut and steady forward guidance will almost certainly move markets today.

Finally, there are no big tech or major industrial earnings today but there are a few noteworthy companies due to report quarterly results today including: GOLD ($0.33), WBD ($-0.05), HAL ($0.75), SQ ($0.87), and ABNB ($2.17). However, to be clear, the Fed is the catalyst to watch today.

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