Posts

Is Housing Starting to Roll Over?

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is Housing Starting to Roll Over?
  • Oil Update and EIA Analysis

Futures are moderately higher as earnings continue to come in better than expected.

TSLA and UAL both posted better than expected earnings and UAL was very upbeat on travel spending and investors are viewing that as a positive macro-economic signal.

EU HICP (their CPI) slightly missed expectations (7.4% vs. (E ) 7.5% yoy), again hinting that inflation may be peaking.

Today will be a busy day with important Fed speak, economic data and earnings.  The key event (potentially) is Fed Chair Powell speaking this morning and while he’s not likely to drop any surprises, it’s always possible.  Economically, the key report today is the Philly Fed Manufacturing Index (E: 20.5) and markets will want to see stability in the data.  We also get Jobless Claims (E: 175K) and Fed President Bullard (1:00 p.m) but they shouldn’t move markets.

On the earnings front, notable reports today include:  T ($0.78), AAL (-$2.48), FCX ($0.88), PM ($1.48), UNP ($2.55), SNAP ($0.01), PPG ($1.13).

Sevens Report Co-Editor Tyler Richey Quoted in Market Watch on April 18th, 2022

Natural-gas prices mark another finish at a nearly 14-year high, while oil prices climb

Unseasonably cold temperatures are driving elevated spring heating demand in the U.S. amid an already bullish fundamental backdrop of subdued inventory levels and no real signs of rising production in the near to medium term…said Tyler Richey, co-editor at Sevens Report Research. Click here to read the full article.

Sevens Report Co-Editor Tyler Richey Quoted in Market Watch on April 13th, 2022

Oil prices settle at a 2-week high, with global markets set to lose more Russian oil

The crude supply rise was partially explained by a steep and unexpected drop in the refinery utilization rate and contributed to a drawdown in gasoline and distillate stocks…Tyler Richey, co-editor at Sevens Report Research, told MarketWatch. Click here to read the full article.

Sevens Report Co-Editor Tyler Richey Quoted in Market Watch on April 15th, 2022

U.S. natural gas is trading at an ‘insane’ price — Here’s why it just hit a nearly 14-year high

The catalyst behind this week’s rally in natural gas has been a “late season blast of cold weather making its way across the country,” boosting demand for heating in many parts of the nation… said Tyler Richey, co-editor at Sevens Report Research. Click here to read the full article.

Staying Focused on What Really Causes Bear Markets

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Staying Focused on What Really Causes Bear Markets
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Can Oil Further Stabilize?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Fed Minutes (Wednesday) Are the Key Report

Futures are slightly higher following a generally quiet weekend of news.

Geopolitically,  there are calls for more sanctions on Russia as the international community is now accusing Russia of war crimes following the discovery of a mass grave outside of Kiev. Oil, which is the key proxy for additional sanctions, is only slightly higher, however, implying the market isn’t expecting significant additional sanctions in the near term.

Economic data was sparse as the only notable report was German exports which rose solidly (up 6.4%).

Today there are no notable economic reports and no Fed speakers, so the focus will be on geopolitics, and again any hints of progress towards a ceasefire will help extend the recent rally.

Jobs Report Preview

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Report Preview
  • EIA Analysis/Oil Market Update

Futures are slightly higher as oil drops sharply on reports the U.S. is considering a massive oil release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

Reports hit overnight that the U.S. is considering releasing 180 million barrels of oil from the SPR over the coming six months, and oil is down 6% as a result.

Economic data was slightly underwhelming as the March Chinese manufacturing PMI dropped below 50 to 49.5.

Today focus will be on inflation, as we get the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation via the Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.4%, 5.5%).  If these numbers slightly underwhelm vs. expectations, that could lead to more hope inflation pressures are finally peaking, and we could see a rally as a result.  Today we also get Jobless Claims (E: 195K) and have one Fed speaker, Williams at 9:00 a.m. ET.

Would a Ceasefire Be a Bullish Catalyst?

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is a Ceasefire in Ukraine a Bullish Catalyst?
  • Oil Chart: Trend Remains Higher

Stock futures are lower with EU shares amid negative economic forecasts, a deteriorating state of Russia-Ukraine negotiations, and growing concerns about the yield curve.

Geopolitically, the Kremlin stated that the latest talks have not been “promising” and much work still needs to be done which is weighing on risk assets and bolstering oil prices this morning.

Economically, Germany cut its GDP growth forecast to just 1.8% in 2022 from 4.6% previously and an EU economic sentiment survey missed estimates.

Looking into today’s session, focus will be on jobs and growth data early with the ADP Employment Report (E: 438K) and Final Q4 GDP report (E: 7.1%) due out before the bell.

Additionally, there are two Fed speakers: Barkin (9:15 a.m. ET) and George (1:00 p.m. ET) but based on this morning’s price action, geopolitics remain the most notable influence on markets, and sentiment towards the war in Ukraine will likely be the biggest driver of markets again today.

Is the 10’s-2’s Spread Outdated?

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is the 10’s-2’s Spread Outdated?
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update (Prices Back Near the Recent Highs)

Futures are modestly higher following good economic data and as oil didn’t continue Wednesday’s rally (at least not overnight).

Economic data was solid as both the March EU Flash Composite PMI (54.5 vs. (E) 54.1.) and the UK Flash Composite PMI (59.7 vs. (E) 58.7) beat estimates, implying the Russia/Ukraine war wasn’t materially slowing growth.

Today focus will be on economic data, specifically the March Flash PMIs (E: 56.7).  With inflation still high and the Fed threatening a 50 bps hike in May, the PMIs need to give markets a “goldilocks” number to extend the early rally, as a “Too Hot” number will invite even more Fed tightening, while a “Too Cold” number will increase stagflation risks.  Outside of the PMIs, we also get Jobless Claims (210K) and Durable Goods (E: -0.5%) although they shouldn’t move markets.

From the Fed today we get Kashkari (8:30 a.m. ET), Waller (9:10 a.m. ET) and Bostic (11:00 a.m. ET) and of the three, Waller is the most important (he’s Fed leadership and if he hints at a 50 bp hike expect that to mildly weigh on stocks).

Sevens Report Co-Editor Tyler Richey Quoted in Market Watch on March 17, 2022

Oil futures finish higher to climb back above $100 a barrel

Upwards of 3 million barrels a day in Russian oil supply could be lost in the coming weeks, and “fading optimism” for a ceasefire deal between Russia and Ukraine drove gains for oil Thursday, said Tyler Richey, co-editor at Sevens Report Research. Click here to read the full article.

What the Fed Decision Means for Markets

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Fed Meeting Takeaways
  • What the Fed Meeting Means for Markets

Stock futures are lower and oil is back above $100/barrel this morning amid negative comments from Russia about Ukraine negotiations while the yield curve continues to flatten post-Fed.

This morning, the Kremlin said that reports of progress in talks are “wrong” and Biden saying Putin is a “war criminal” is “unforgivable” which has sparked risk off money flows over the last hour.

Economically, Eurozone HICP rose 5.9% vs. (E) 5.8% Y/Y bolstering concerns about high inflation which has further flattened the yield curve in early trade.

Today, we will get several important economic reports including: Jobless Claims (E: 218K), Housing Starts (E: 1.70M), Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index (E: 15.0), and Industrial Production (E: 0.5%). There are no Fed speakers today.

Bottom line, the Fed is continuing to be digested today but focus has largely returned to Russia-Ukraine. And if the odds for a peace deal deteriorate meaningfully, expect at least a portion of yesterday’s big rally to be given back. Additionally, if economic data continues to indicate stagflationary trends emerging, risk assets could trade with a heavy tone.