Posts

A Tale of Two Trades

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • A Tale of Two Trades

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

Economically, the only notable report overnight was Chinese PPI, which feel –4.6% vs. (E) -4.2% and provided the latest sign that global disinflation is potentially accelerating.

Politically, former President Trump was federally indicted for illegally retaining classified documents, although that shouldn’t impact markets.

Today there are no economic reports and no Fed speakers, so near term technicals should drive trading with all eyes focused in whether the S&P 500 can break above 4,300 for the first time in over a year.

Tom Essaye Quoted in Yahoo Finance on May 31st, 2023

/in , /by

Stock Rally Loses Steam After AI-Fueled Euphoria: Markets Wrap

Yes, AI does have great potential and it does appear to be the ‘next big thing’. But I don’t see how that promise can offset the reality of higher interest rates and more pressure on the economy, at least not for a sustainable period…wrote Tom Essaye, a former Merrill Lynch trader who founded The Sevens Report newsletter. Click here to read the full article.

Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s on May 31st, 2023

/in , /by

Stocks Open Lower as Traders Fret About China Manufacturing, Debt Bill

“Republican Representatives have said this morning that they have the votes to pass it. If that comes to fruition, that should remove a headwind from risk assets and open the door to a continued move higher in equity markets,” writes Tom Essaye, the founder of Sevens Report Research. Click here to read the full article.

Jobs Report Preview

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Report Preview

Futures are modestly higher after the House of Representatives passed the debt ceiling extension.

The House passed the debt ceiling extension 314-117, effectively ending this drama (passage in the Senate is all but guaranteed).

Economically, EU Core HICP (their core CPI) rose 5.3% vs. (E) 5.5%, hinting at the re-start of disinflation.

Today focus will be on economic data and there are numerous potentially important reports, starting with the ISM Manufacturing PMI (E: 47.0), where markets will want to see stability in the data (so not dramatically above or below the expectation).  On employment, we get two important reports via the ADP Employment Report (E: 160K) and Jobless Claims (E: 235K), and moderation in both reports (so a drop in ADP and rise in claims) will be welcomed by markets.  Finally, on inflation, Unit Labor Costs (E: 6.3%) will give us the latest insight into wages (the lower this number, the better).  Finally, there is also one Fed speaker: Harker (1:00 p.m. ET).

 

Sevens Report Co-Editor, Tyler Richey, Quoted in Morningstar on May 23rd, 2023

/in , /by

Natural-gas prices have dropped by nearly half this year, despite output risks and higher demand prospects

The natural-gas market is reaching a historically pivotal phase of the year, with the price swings typically occurring in the summer and winter months, said Tyler Richey, co-editor at Sevens Report Research. Natural gas is the largest source of electricity in the U.S., at roughly 40%, so when temperatures heat up in the summertime, demand for power to run air conditioning units rises in lockstep. Click here to read the full article.

Why A Soft Landing Is Still Good for Stocks

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why A Soft Landing Is Still Good for Stocks
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

S&P 500 futures are solidly higher while Nasdaq futures surge 2% thanks to blow out NVDA earnings.

NVDA beat on revenue and EPS and raised guidance on strong AI chip demand, and the stock surged more than 20% after hours.

Fitch put the U.S. on “credit watch negative” as the potential “X” date for the debt ceiling is less than a week away.

Today focus will be on any debt ceiling progress (although none is expected with the looming holiday weekend) and on economic data, and the most important report is Jobless Claims (E: 248K) and markets will want to see that number flat or just slightly higher (another big jump would increase hard landing worries).

Other data today includes Revised Q1 GDP (E: 1.1%) and Pending Home Sales (E: 1.1%), but neither number should move markets.  On the Fed, we have two speakers today, Barkin (9:50 a.m. ET) and Collins (10:30 a.m. ET), but neither should move markets.

Why Home Depot Earnings Point to a Soft Landing

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Home Depot Earnings Point to a Soft Landing
  • Retail Sales Data Takeaways
  • Debt Ceiling Barometer: 1-Month T-Bill Yield Steadies

Stock futures are rebounding modestly from yesterday’s declines this morning as traders await more clarity on the debt ceiling negotiations (1-Month yield is down 2 bp to 5.56%) and digest in-line European inflation data.

Economically, Eurozone HICP (their CPI equivalent) met estimates at 7.0% y/y with the Narrow Core reading falling 0.1% to 5.6%, also as expected but still well above target.

There is just one economic report this morning: Housing Starts & Permits (E: 1.405M, 1.430M) and no Fed officials are scheduled to speak.

Retailer earnings continue this morning with TGT ($1.74) reporting ahead of the bell and investors will be looking for more signs of “soft landing” spending trends as we saw with HD yesterday.

As far as other potential catalysts go, there is a 20-Yr. Treasury Bond auction at 1:00 p.m. ET today and any big move in yields could impact stocks (too weak would indicate inflation worries, too strong would underscore growing debt ceiling fears).

Tom Essaye Quoted in Forbes on March 30th, 2023

/in , /by

Dow Jumps 200 Points As Lack Of ‘Drama’ Spurs Gains

“To say a lot has transpired in the markets over the past three weeks would be an understatement,” Sevens Report analyst Tom Essaye wrote in a Thursday note to clients. Click here to read the full article.

Tom Essaye Quoted in Forbes on March 6th, 2023

/in , /by

Stocks Poised For Rally—But Don’t Expect It To Last, Noted Morgan Stanley Bear Wilson Says

“Don’t confuse the market’s ability to withstand last year’s headwind with an invincibility towards what could be this year’s headwind” of slumping economic growth, Sevens Report analyst Tom Essaye wrote in a Monday note. Click here to read the full article.

Economic Breaker Panel: February Update

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Sevens Report Economic Breaker Panel – February Update
  • January Durable Goods Orders Takeaways
  • Breakout in Natural Gas Futures

Stocks futures are trading with modest gains this morning while Treasury yields are tracking European bond yields higher following stubbornly high inflation data overnight.

Economically, both Spanish and French CPI headlines were hotter than expected, above 6%, which saw European rates markets price in a 4% terminal ECB rate for the first time. Government bond yields across the Eurozone notably rose to multi-year highs.

Looking into today’s session, there are several economic reports to watch including: International Trade (E: -$91.0B), Case-Shiller Home Price Index (-0.5%), FHFA House Price Index (E: -0.3%), and Consumer Confidence (E: 108.5).

Traders will be looking for less signs of stagflation in the data as elevated inflation figures and weakening growth metrics were a headwind for equities last week.

Finally, the Chicago Fed’s Goolsbee (who just succeeded Evans) has his first speaking engagement since taking over the role at 2:30 p.m. ET, and as a voting member of the FOMC, his comments will be closely watched for any new clues about Fed policy plans in the months ahead. A notably hawkish tone, could easily cause another bout of volatility in risk assets this afternoon.