Posts

Is the VIX Signaling Another Volatility Spike is Coming?

/in , /by

Is the VIX Signaling Another Volatility Spike is Coming?: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is the VIX Signaling Another Volatility Spike is Coming?

Futures are sharply higher thanks to strong tech earnings, more Chinese stimulus and more global rate cuts.

Micron (MU up 15% pre-market) beat earnings and raised guidance and that’s helping futures rally this morning.

An FT article promised even more Chinese stimulus is coming and that is boosted Asian markets and U.S. futures.

Today there is potentially important economic data and the key reports are:   Jobless Claims (E: 224.5K), Durable Goods (E: 0.1%) and Final Q2 GDP (E: 3.0%).  In-line to better-than-expected readings will help further fuel this rally while weak data, especially in claims and Durable Goods, will increase hard landing fears (and weigh on stocks).

On the Fed front, there are multiple speakers today with most speaking at a Treasury Market Conference (there were so many that it’d take up the whole pre-seven look if we listed them all). The most notable is Powell (9:20 a.m. ET) but don’t expect any of the comments to move markets as the Fed told markets last week what it’s going to do and until the outlook for another 50 bps of easing changes, Fed speak shouldn’t move markets.

Join thousands 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.

Sevens Report Co-Editor Tyler Richey Quoted in S&P Global

/in , /by

Rate-cut expectations played a major role in the stock market rebound: Sevens Report Co-Editor Tyler Richey Quoted in S&P Global

Stocks surge to all-time highs; market questions if Fed cuts can sustain rally

“Rate-cut expectations played a major role in the stock market rebound off the early August pullback, but only because the increasingly dovish Fed policy expectations for sooner-and-deeper rate cuts were accompanied by encouraging economic data that helped ease the suddenly urgent fears of an imminent recession in the wake of the July jobs report,” said Tyler Richey, a co-editor with Sevens Report Research.

Rate cut expectations will weigh heavily on the stock market through the end of 2024, primarily as they relate to the outlook for economic growth, said Richey with Sevens Report Research.

“Soft landings are historically elusive, and the Fed has notably never pulled one off after a deep and prolonged yield curve inversion like we have seen in the Treasury market since the summer of 2022,” he said. “Using history as a guide, we are in a late cycle environment and very likely closer to seeing a lasting market top established than a new leg higher in a sustainable bull market.”

Also, click here to view the full S&P Global article published on September 20th, 2024. 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.

FOMC Preview

/in , /by

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

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • FOMC Preview
  • Empire State Manufacturing Index Takeaways
  • Chart: Equal-Weighted S&P 500 Index Hits Fresh Record

Futures are rallying ahead of key data on U.S. consumer spending as rates markets continue to price in better odds of a 50 bp rate cut from the Fed ahead of tomorrow’s FOMC decision.

Economically, the German ZEW Survey disappointed overnight with Economic Sentiment plunging more than 15 points to 3.6 vs. (E) 17.5.

Looking into today’s session, focus will be on economic data early with Retail Sales (E: -0.3%) being the most important release to watch, but Industrial Production (E: 0.1%), and the latest Housing Market Index (E: 40) will also be closely monitored.

There is one Fed official on the calendar to speak today: Logan (10:00 a.m. ET), but her remarks have been pre-recorded and therefore should not move markets with the September FOMC meeting getting underway this morning.

Finally, there is a 20-Yr Treasury Bond auction at 1:00 p.m. ET that should not materially impact markets unless there is a significant discrepancy between the when-issued yield and yield-awarded that shows weak demand (higher yields), as a subsequent rise in yields could pour some cold water on the so-far-dovish money flows ahead of the Fed decision.

Join thousands 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.

What Powell and Uedas’ Friday Comments Mean for Markets

/in , /by

What Powell and Uedas’ Friday Comments Mean for Markets: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Powell and Uedas’ Friday Comments Mean for Markets
  • Weekly Market Preview:  A Big Week for Tech Earnings (Including NVDA on Wednesday)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  A Most Quiet Week But Thursday/Friday Are Important

Futures are slightly higher following a mostly quiet weekend, thanks to momentum from Friday’s rally as investors digest Powell’s promise of coming rate cuts.

Economically, the only notable number overnight was the German Ifo Business Expectations and it slightly beat estimates (86.8 vs. (E) 86.5).

Geopolitically, a cease fire was not reached this weekend between Israel and Hamas although investors remain optimistic that a deal is close.

Today the only notable economic report is July Durable Goods (E: 4.0%) and markets will want to see stability in the data (so close to expectations) to ensure the recent plateau in business spending isn’t becoming a decline.  If Durable Goods is in-line, expect a continuation of the early rally.

Join thousands 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.

The Concerning Gap Between Stocks, Treasuries and the Yen

/in , /by

The Concerning Gap Between Stocks, Treasuries and the Yen: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • The Concerning Gap Between Stocks, Treasuries and the Yen
  • Oil Update (Why is Oil Hitting Multi-Month Lows?)

Futures are slightly higher on more Goldilocks economic data.

The EU and UK August flash composite PMIs were better than expected (51.2 vs. (E) 50.7 in the EU and 53.4 vs. (E) 52.9 in the UK) and that’s supporting the global soft landing narrative.

On inflation, EU wages rose less than expected in Q2, reinforcing expectations for a Sept. rate cut from the ECB.

Today focus will be on economic data as today is the most important day of the week from a data standpoint.  Key reports, in order of importance, include Jobless Claims (E: 234K), August Flash Composite PMI (E: 53.3) and Existing Home Sales (E: 3.90 million).  More Goldilocks data (at or close to expectations) should further support the rally and if that’s the case, new highs for the S&P 500 shouldn’t be a shock.

Join thousands 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.

Watch the BLS Revisions Today

/in , /by

Watch the BLS Revisions Today: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Something to Watch Today: BLS Revisions
  • How a Fed Mistake Would Impact Commodities
  • VIX Expiration Poses Threat to Short-Volatility Trade – Chart

Futures are slightly higher as traders await job growth revisions from the BLS after a mostly quiet night of news.

Economically, Japanese trade data revealed a deeper than anticipated deficit in July but amid solid import/export growth numbers which importantly helped pause a rally in the yen and reduced pressure on risk assets overnight.

Looking into today’s session, there are no typical economic reports on the calendar, however, the BLS Revisions to Net Payroll Growth for the trailing 12-months through March 2024 will be released at 10:00 a.m. ET and a significant downward revision could rekindle the recession fears initially sparked by the July jobs report which would result in broad market volatility.

In the afternoon, there is a 20-Yr Bond auction at 1:00 p.m. ET which could move yields and influence equity markets before investor focus will turn to the release of the July FOMC Meeting Minutes at 2:00 p.m. ET.

Finally, earnings season continues to wind down but a few notable companies reporting today include: TGT ($2.17), TJX $0.92), ZM ($1.21).

Join thousands 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.

The Most Important Central Banker This Week (Not Powell)

/in , /by

The Most Important Central Banker This Week (Not Powell): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • The Most Important Central Banker This Week (Not Powell)

Futures are slightly higher on better than feared tech earnings and more global central bank rate cuts.

Palo Alto Networks (PANW) posted solid guidance and that, along with CSCO results last week, is helping to bolster the outlook for tech and that’s supporting futures.

Sweden’s Riksbank (their central bank) cut rates 25 bps, as expected, and that reminded investors we are in the midst of a global rate cutting campaign (which is a positive).

There are no notable economic reports today but there are two Feds speakers, Bostic (1:35 p.m. ET) and Barr (2:45 p.m. ET) and if they join other colleagues in expressing openness to cutting rates in September, it should be a mild tailwind for stocks.

Join thousands 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.

CPI Preview: Good, Bad, Ugly

/in , /by

CPI Preview: Good, Bad, Ugly: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • CPI Preview: Good, Bad, Ugly
  • Chart: 10-Yr Yield Falls to 52-Week Lows

Futures are flat this morning while overseas markets were mixed overnight with Europe underperforming amid soft economic data while Asian shares were mostly higher.

Economically, the August German ZEW Survey saw Current Conditions fall to -77.3 vs. (E) -74.5 and Economic Sentiment drop to 19.2 vs. (E) 34.5 which weighed on stocks and other risk assets.

Domestically, the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose to 93.7 vs. (E) 91.7 which eased recession fears and is helping U.S. equity futures relatively outperform ahead of the open.

Looking into today’s session, trader focus will be on the first inflation data of the week with PPI (E: 0.2% m/m, 2.6% y/y) and Core PPI (E: 0.2% m/m, 3.0% y/y) due out ahead of the bell.

There is also one Fed speaker: Bostic (1:15 p.m. ET) and one consumer-focused earnings release: HD (E: $4.55) to watch.

Bottom line, PPI could move markets today if there is a big surprise in the release, but markets are likely to remain in wait-and-see mode as investors await the more important CPI release tomorrow.

Join thousands 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.

Market Multiple Table: Chart

/in , /by

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

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Table Chart (Scenario Targets Compress)
  • The Most Important Financial Asset in the World (Right Now)

Futures are slightly lower following a generally quiet night of news as markets digest Wednesday’s failed rally.

Japan remains at the center of global markets and the “Summary of Opinions” (think of it as the BOJ minutes) showed officials discussed further rate hikes but also that the BOJ is, for now, on hold (and that’s a mild positive).

Geopolitically, tensions between Israel and Iran/Hezbollah remain elevated and a retaliation is expected any day.

Today focus will be on Weekly Jobless Claims (E: 240K) and a better-than-expected number (so under 240k) will help incrementally ease slowdown fears.  Conversely, if claims jump above 250k, expect recession worries to rise further and stocks to react accordingly (lower).

There is also one Fed speaker, Barkin at 3:00 p.m. ET, but he shouldn’t move markets.

Join thousands 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.

FOMC Preview

/in , /by

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

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • FOMC Preview
  • Chart: Stocks Are Trading With an 85% Correlation to 2007

U.S. equity futures are tracking European stocks higher as traders look ahead to the Fed, big-tech earnings, and more important economic data due in the sessions ahead.

Economically, Japan’s Unemployment Rate fell to 2.5% vs. (E) 2.6% while the EU’s GDP Flash rose to 0.6% vs. (E) 0.5%. The reports are not meaningfully moving markets but seem to be easing recession fears to some degree in pre-market trade.

Looking into today’s session, there are two housing market reports due out early: Case-Shiller Home Price Index (E: 7.2%) and the FHFA House Price Index (E: 6.3%) before Consumer Confidence (E: 99.5) and JOLTS (E: 8.0 million) will be released after the opening bell.

The July FOMC meeting begins today so there are no Fed speakers which will likely bring a sense of “Fed paralysis” before tomorrow’s meeting announcement and Powell’s press conference.

That will leave trader focus on earnings with BP ($0.92), PG ($1.37) and PYPL ($0.97) all due to report before the open while AMD ($0.67), MSFT ($2.90), and SBUX ($0.93) will release results after the close.

Join thousands 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.