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More Growth Fears

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • The Aussie-Yen Points to Further Growth Fears

S&P futures are tracking international shares lower to start the year this morning as another set of soft economic data stoked fears of slowing global growth.

The Chinese Caixin Manufacturing PMI Index fell 0.5% to 49.7 in December suggesting the world’s second largest economy is slipping into contraction.

Meanwhile, the Eurozone PMI Manufacturing Index met expectations but dipped to a near two year low of 51.4.

In the U.S. today, there is one economic report to watch: PMI Manufacturing Index (E: 53.9) and there are no Fed officials scheduled to speak.

Long Term Entry Point?

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why I’m Buying Some Stock in My IRA Today
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet
  • Weekly Market Preview

Futures are seeing a modest oversold bounce following a generally quiet weekend.

If there is a “reason’ for this modest bounce in futures it was the administration trying to reassure investors over the weekend.  Treasury Secretary Mnuchin tried to calm markets by 1) Stating Trump knows he can’t fire Fed Chair Powell and 2)  Calling the heads of major U.S. banks to ensure there were no liquidity problems (there weren’t).

There was no notable economic data or U.S./China trade updates over the weekend.

Today there are no economic reports and no Fed speakers,  and the markets close early (1:00 p.m. ET).

Sevens Report’s Tom Essaye quoted in The Wall Street Journal on December 12, 2018

Sevens Report’s Tom Essaye quoted in The Wall Street Journal on December 12, 2018. Read the full article here.

Sevens Report’s Tom Essaye quoted in Barron’s on December 12, 2018

Sevens Report’s Tom Essaye quoted in Barron’s on December 12, 2018. Read the full article here.

Sevens Report’s Tom Essaye quoted in Barron’s on December 13, 2018

Tom Essaye quoted in Barron’s on December 13, 2018. Read the full article here.

Sevens Report’s Tom Essaye appeared on Cheddar on December 12, 2018

Sevens Report’s Tom Essaye appeared on Cheddar on December 12, 2018. He breaks down how Trump’s optimism on trade talks, and impacted the markets.

Watch the entire clip here.

Bounce Coming?

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why We Could Be Close to a Bounce

Futures are modestly lower following the surprise resignation of Defense Secretary Mattis.

Mattis was seen as a stabilizing force in the administration, so his resignation is an incremental negative on general sentiment and that’s pressuring stocks this morning.

Economically, Q3 British GDP met expectations at 0.6%.

Today there is a lot of important economic data including (in order of importance):  Durable Goods (E: 1.4%), Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.2%), Final Q3 GDP (E: 3.5%) and Consumer Sentiment (E: 97.5).  The key numbers will be the Core PCE Price Index (it needs to stay around 2.00%) and Durable Goods (they need to be stable) as they can give us a stock positive “Goldilocks” outcome.

Additionally, Fed Governor Williams will by on CNBC at 10:00 a.m., and if he’s dovish that might help stocks rally.

Finally, today is quadruple witching options expiration.

Political Risks to this Market

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Political Risks to This Market

Futures are sharply lower (about 1%) as bad economic data is furthering worries about a slowdown in global growth.

Chinese Retail Sales (8.1% vs. (E) 9.0%) and Industrial Production (5.4% vs. (E) 5.9%) both badly missed estimates.

In Europe, the flash composite PMIs also missed expectations at 51.3 vs. (E) 52.5.

Geopolitically it was a quiet night although Chinese officials confirmed the reduction of auto tariffs to 15% from 40% (this was already pledged but it is good to see it will be enacted on Jan 1.).

Today it’s all about economic data.  The numbers from China and the EU this morning were not good and fears of a global economic slowdown are rising, and we need Retail Sales (E: 0.1%) and Industrial Production (E: 0.3%) to push back on that narrative, otherwise today could be another ugly day.

Dow Theory Just Turned Bearish

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Dow Theory: First Bearish Signal Since July 2015

Futures are enjoying a bounce this morning after top economic officials from the US and China held a conference call o/n regarding the next stages of trade negotiations.

Economically, the German ZEW Survey was mixed as the Current Conditions reading badly missed at 45.3 vs. (E) 55.0 but Business Expectations were not as bad as feared: -17.5 vs. (E) -26.0.

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index was a disappointment this morning with the headline coming in at 104.8 vs. (E) 107.0, the lowest headline since May.

Looking at the calendar today, the catalyst list is fairly thin as there is only one economic report: PPI (E: 0.0%) however inflation has been an important topic recently and a material “miss” or “beat” could move markets. Meanwhile there are no Fed officials scheduled to speak.

That will leave the primary focus of the market on U.S.-China trade relations including any further developments or details from last night’s “trade call” as well as the Huawei CFO’s bail hearing in Canada.

Bottom line, as long as we see more positive trade headlines, sentiment should improve and trade optimism will likely continue to act as a near term tailwind for markets.

Why Markets Dropped and How We Find Stability

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Stocks Dropped (New Reason) and How Markets Stabilize
  • Weekly Market Preview
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet (CPI Wed. and lots of data Friday)

Futures and global markets are modestly lower due to momentum from Friday’s sell off.

News over the weekend was actually net positive as U.S./Chinese officials implied the Huawei CFO arrest was separate from trade, while China signaled it will begin buying U.S. soybeans and energy again.

Economically, Chinese exports missed estimates (5.4% vs. (E) 10.0%), although that number is very “noisy” and it’s not moving markets this morning (the Chinese economic data this Friday is more important than the trade balance).

There’s only one economic report today,  JOLTS (E: 7.0M), and no Fed speakers so focus will remain on geo-political headlines (trade) and we should continue to expect more volatility.  That said, the market is now deeply oversold in the short term, and if tech can stabilize and rally early, markets can bounce.