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Can the Rally Keep Going?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Can the Rally Keep Going?
  • Weekly Market Preview: Does the Fed Signal a June Rate Cut?  (And What Does Trump Do If Not?)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  More Signs of Slowing Growth?

Futures are moderately lower on digestion of Friday’s rally and following more tariff threats from President Trump.

President Trump threatened 100% tariffs on movies made outside the U.S., reminding investors that tariff risks remain elevated.

Oil prices are down 1% after OPEC+ increased output by 411k bbls/day starting in July (Saudi Arabia is trying to increase market share and that’s driving oil prices lower).

Today focus will be on the ISM Services PMI (E: 50.2) and if that number drops solidly below 50, we will see economic anxiety rise (the stronger this number, the better).

Earnings season is practically over but there are still some notable reports to watch, including: ON ($0.51) and PLTR ($0.08).

The primary negative influences on copper

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The primary negative influences on copper: Sevens Report Analysts Quoted in MarketWatch

Here’s what this real-time barometer says about tariff-induced recession risks rising

“Recession worries and lack of concrete progress in trade relations between the U.S. and China remain the primary negative influences on copper,” analysts at Sevens Report Research wrote in Wednesday’s newsletter.

They said the “primary trend in copper is not one of higher or lower prices, but of volatility, which highlights trade-war uncertainty and an elevated sense of angst among global investors.”

Also, click here to view the full article featured on MarketWatch published on April 30th, 2025. 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.

There were several legitimate reasons for last week’s rally

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There were several legitimate reasons for last week’s rally: Sevens Report Analysts Quoted in Investing.com

Can Trump’s “Happy Talk” keep the S&P 500 above 5,500? Strategist weighs in

According to Sevens Report, “there were several legitimate reasons for last week’s rally, including (in order of importance): De-escalation of the trade war with China, de-escalation of the Trump/Powell feud, rising anticipation for the announcement of numerous trade deals, and solid Q1 earnings.”

However, Sevens Report cautioned that “none of these events are materially bullish,” and warned that while “still-negative sentiment helped the S&P 500 temporarily break through 5,500 on some good earnings or further trade de-escalation briefly, I do not think the news has turned good enough to sustain a rally.”

“Trump understands that firing Powell would hammer markets, so he (probably) won’t try it, but that doesn’t mean the negative headlines are done,” Sevens Report said.

They added, “The Fed meets next on Wednesday, May 7, and the Fed is very unlikely to cut rates at that meeting and that could draw Trump’s ire.”

On the trade front, Sevens Report noted that while tariff reductions are better than escalation, “the baseline level of tariffs will be much higher than it was in January and that will be a headwind on growth and a tailwind on inflation.”

Looking ahead, Sevens Report stated, “it is very unlikely that 2025 S&P 500 EPS expectations stay at $270,” suggesting that “a $10/share reduction to $260 (or even lower) seems more appropriate.”

Also, click here to view the full article featured on Investing.com published on April 28th, 2025. 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.

How much economic damage have tariffs done?

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How much economic damage have tariffs done?: Tom Essaye Quoted in MarketWatch

Is the stock market overvalued? Investors look for ‘economic damage’ from tariffs

Investors are hoping trade deals that reduce tariffs may be announced soon, which would help inform whether the U.S. stock market is currently overvalued, according to Tom Essaye, founder and president of Sevens Report Research.

“‘How much economic damage have tariffs done?’ is one of the most important questions for investors right now because if the answer is ‘a lot,’ then this market is still substantially overvalued,” Essaye said in a note Monday. “If the answer is ‘not too much’ and tariff reduction occurs, then the case can be made for a sustainable rally (as long as we get consistent policy).”

Also, click here to view the full article featured on MarketWatch published on April 28th, 2025. 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 This Is (Likely) A Rangebound Market

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why This Is (Likely) A Rangebound Market
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Earnings in Focus (Will Corporate America Confirm Investors’ fears?)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Is Uncertainty Pressuring Economic Growth Yet?

Futures are sharply lower (down around 1%) following the holiday weekend as rising tension between Fed Chair Powell and President Trump pressured sentiment.

On Friday, National Economic Director Hasset said the White House was studying if Powell can be fired, adding another potential source of uncertainty to the markets.

Today volumes will be low given many global markets (including the UK, EU, Hong Kong and Australia) are closed.  But, there is one economic report, Leading Indicators (E: -0.3%) and one Fed speaker Goolsbee (8:30 a.m. ET).  Any data that implies stable growth and a dovish Fed should help support stocks.

New ETFs for Your Watchlist

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • New ETFs for Your Watchlist
  • GDP Details Point to Economic Weakness Emerging in Q4

U.S. equity futures are flat to lower this morning as traders continue to digest this week’s fluid tariff and trade war developments ahead of critical domestic inflation data.

Economically, Germany’s GfK Consumer Climate Index came in at -24.5 vs. (E) -22.0 while the official German Unemployment Rate ticked up 0.1% to 6.3% vs. (E) 6.2%. The downbeat German data is weighing on EU markets.

Today, focus will be on inflation data early with the Fed’s preferred inflation metric due out ahead of the bell: PCE Price Index (E: 0.3% m/m, 2.5% y/y), Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.3% m/m, 2.7% y/y). A cooler-than-expected or in-line number will be well-received by investors.

Then after the open, the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index will be released (E: 57.9, 1-Yr Inflation Expectations: 4.9%) and markets will want to see a stabilizing headline and steady or lower 1-Yr inflation expectations in order for markets to stage a rebound.

Finally, there are two Fed speakers this afternoon: Barr (12:15 p.m. ET) and Bostic (3:30 p.m. ET). Fed speak has been on the hawkish/cautious side this week so any encouraging commentary or a dovish tone would be welcomed, especially in the wake of “cool” inflation data.

Charles Dow Would Be Selling Stocks Now

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Charles Dow Would Officially Be Selling Stocks Now
  • Consumer Confidence Takeaways – Another Survey-Based Whiff of Stagflation

Futures are slightly lower after a mostly quiet night of news as this week’s so-far-solid gains are digested with investors weighing favorable inflation data out of Europe against simmering tariff uncertainties.

Economically, U.K. CPI fell from 3.0% to 2.8% vs. (E) 2.9% in February with Core CPI down from 3.7% to 3.5%.  The “cool” inflation data is helping U.K. markets outperform European peers this morning.

Today, there is one noteworthy and potentially market-moving economic report due out ahead of the open: Durable Goods Orders (E: -1.0%). A “Goldilocks” report that is no worse than expected should help equities maintain WTD gains while a “too hot” or “too cold” print could spark some profit taking given the tentative nature of this week’s advance.

Additionally, there are two Fed speakers today: Kashkari (10:00 a.m. ET) and Musalem (1:10 p.m. ET), as well as a 5-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET. Less-hawkish commentary from the Fed officials and healthy but not urgent demand for the 5-Yr Notes should be well-received by investors today.

Finally, there are a few noteworthy, late-season earnings reports due out today from DLTR ($2.18), CHWY ($3.19), and JEF ($0.88), but none are likely to have a material impact on the broader market.

Hard Landing/Soft Landing Scoreboard

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Hard Landing/Soft Landing Scoreboard
  • Composite PMI Flash Takeaways – Another Whiff of Stagflation

Futures are back to flat after trading lower overnight on profit taking as traders digest the latest trade war headlines and subsequent rally off the 2025 stock market lows.

Economically, Germany’s Ifo Survey was mostly upbeat as the headline Business Climate Index firmed to 86.7 vs. (E) 87.0 and Business Expectations jumped to 87.7 vs. (E) 86.8. The solid data is helping support gains in EU markets.

Looking into today’s session, there are several economic reports due to be released starting with a few housing market releases: Case-Shiller Home Price Index (E: 4.5%), the FHFA House Price Index (E: 0.2%), and New Home Sales (E: 679K).

Then after the open, the most important economic report of the day is due out: Consumer Confidence (E: 94.2) and investors will want to see a less-dismal data set in the survey-based release as the February consumer reports weighed heavily on risk assets.

Additionally, there is one Fed speaker: Williams (9:05 a.m. ET) and a few late-season earnings reports from MKC ($0.64 and GME ($0.09), but neither are likely to move markets today.

 

Sevens Report Q1 ’25 Quarterly Letter Coming Next Tuesday

Investor sentiment is literally at all-time lows, markets are volatile, and clients are nervous. Now is the time to remind them that long-term plans can overcome periods of volatility! 

One of the easiest and best ways to do that is with a quarterly letter, and we will be releasing the Q1 2025 Sevens Report Quarterly Letter to subscribers next Tuesday, April 1st. 

The Sevens Report Quarterly Letter is a turn-key client communications solution. 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… and
  • Strengthen client relationships, all with little-to-no work from you!

To learn more about the product (including price) please click this link, and if you’re interested in subscribing please email info@sevensreport.com.

Easing trade war angst

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Easing trade war angst: Tom Essaye Quoted in Forbes

Tesla Stock’s 12% Surge Powers Broader Comeback—As Investors Bet Trump’s Reciprocal Tariffs Won’t Be So Bad

The rally came thanks to “easing trade war angst” on Wall Street, explained Sevens Report founder Tom Essaye, referencing Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal’s weekend reports that Trump’s reciprocal tariffs set to go into effect next week will be far more focused in nature than Trump previously suggested.

Also, click here to view the full Forbes article published on March 24th, 2025. 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.

Six Market Questions Answered

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • How to Explain This Market to Clients (Six Investor Questions Answered)
  • Weekly Market Preview: Is the Q1’25 Correction Over?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat-Sheet: Focus on PMIs and PCE

U.S. stock futures are higher this morning as easing trade war angst is overshadowing soft EU economic data.

A Bloomberg article published on Saturday suggested that the Trump administration’s April 2nd tariff package would be more “targeted” in nature, a welcomed, positive trade war headline which is supporting risk-on money flows to start the week.

Economically, the Eurozone’s latest PMI Composite Flash rose to 50.4 vs. (E) 50.5 as weakness in Services offset strength in Manufacturing which is sending some mixed signals about the health of the EU economy.

Looking ahead to today’s session, investor focus in the U.S. will be on economic data early as the U.S. Composite PMI Flash is due out shortly after the bell with the Manufacturing PMI seen easing to 51.8 while the Services PMI is expected to firm to 51.2. investors will want to see a “Goldilocks” data that neither prompts hawkish money flows nor rekindles growth worries.

Additionally, there are two Fed speakers to watch: Bostic (1:45 p.m. ET) and Barr (3:10 p.m. ET) as well as a few late-season earnings reports due out from LUNR ($-0.08) and KBH ($1.56) but those catalysts are less likely to move markets  that the early economic data.