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Ukraine Update and Why Future are Down

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Ukraine Update and Why Futures Are Down
  • Switching Focus Back to the Fed
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Powell Testimony Wed/Thurs
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Jobs Week

Futures are sharply lower as markets react to additional sanctions against Russia, including removing select Russian banks from the SWIFT system. The additional sanctions and historic isolation of Russia by the global community are increasing economic uncertainty.

Positively, Ukraine and Russia are having peace talks today, and hopefully, that leads to a ceasefire sooner than later.

There were no notable economic reports overnight and no material economic reports today, so Russia/Ukraine headlines will drive trading, and any reports of a cease-fire will be a positive for markets.

Tom Essaye Quoted by Big News Network on January 28, 2022

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Yesterday’s FOMC decision and Powell’s presser was both positive and negative for markets, but in the end, it mostly reinforced what we know: The Fed is serious about raising rates, that’s going to continue to…Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report, said in a note to clients Thursday, as reported by CNBC. Click here to read the full article.

 

Tom Essaye Quoted by CNBC on January 26, 2022

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S&P 500 closes lower, gives up earlier gains as volatility continues

Yesterday’s FOMC decision and Powell’s presser was both positive and negative for markets, but in the end, it mostly reinforced what we know: The Fed is serious about raising rates, that’s going to continue to…Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report, said in a note. Click here to read the full article.

Powell’s Testimony Takeaways

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Powell’s Testimony Takeaways
  • NFIB Small Business Survey Signals Cautious Outlook

Markets are trading with a risk-on tone this morning as U.S. equity futures track global shares higher after Powell’s testimony helped stabilize bond markets yesterday while investors look ahead to today’s CPI report.

Chinese inflation data was cooler than feared o/n with CPI dipping to 1.5% vs. (E) 1.8% and PPI falling to 10.3% vs. (E) 11.3% Y/Y which is helping ease inflation concerns today.

Looking into today’s session, the December CPI report (E: 0.4%, 7.1%) will be the main focus of markets early with the annual figures expected to hit a fresh multi-decade high. But as long as the headline and core figures are not materially “hotter” than feared, this week’s relief rally, led by tech shares, should be able to continue amid further stabilization in bond markets.

Outside of the early inflation data, there is one Fed speaker to watch: Kashkari (1:00 p.m. ET) as well as a 10-Year Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET. And as long as Kashkari does not contradict any of Powell’s comments from yesterday regarding the balance sheet runoff coming “later in the year,” and the auction doesn’t spark a new move higher in yields, then risk-on money flows should be able to continue.

Where Is the Fed Put?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Bottom Line: Powell Renomination Hearings and the Fed Put
  • Chart: S&P 500 “Current Situation” Support Holds

Stock futures are extending yesterday’s afternoon rally in pre-market trade this morning as investors look ahead to Powell’s renomination hearings.

Overseas, Asian markets declined as new lockdown measures were imposed in parts of China due to rising Omicron cases while EU shares stabilized in sympathy with yesterday’s afternoon rally in U.S. markets.

Economically, the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index edged up to 98.9 vs. (E) 98.8 last month but the release is not materially impacting markets this morning.

There are no additional economic reports today but Esther George is scheduled to speak at 9:30 a.m. ET before Powell’s renomination hearings begin (10:00 a.m. ET). The market will be keenly focused on anything to do with balance sheet reduction plans and if the topic is “downplayed,” expect a further relief rally in equity markets.

Finally, there is a 3-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET and if the results are weak, sending shorter duration yields to new multi-year highs, that could become a headwind for high valuation tech names and weigh on the broader stock market again.

How Should We React to Fed Hawkishness?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • How Should We React to Fed Hawkishness?
  • Weekly Market Preview:  All About the Fed (Powell testifies Tuesday, Brainard testifies on Thursday).
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  All About Inflation (CPI Wednesday is the Key Report).

Futures are slightly lower following a generally quiet weekend as investors digest last week’s hawkish surprises ahead of Powell’s testimony tomorrow and CPI on Wednesday.

Economically, the only notable number was Eurozone Unemployment, which met expectations at 7.2%.

Chances of Build Back Better passing fell further over the weekend as according to the Washington Post, Manchin remains against the current framework for the plan.

Today there are no economic reports and just one Fed speaker, Bostic (12:00 p.m. ET), so we’d not be surprised to see markets churn ahead the three major catalysts coming later this week:  Powell’s testimony on Tuesday, Wednesday’s CPI Report, and Brainard’s testimony on Thursday.  Those three events will determine whether stocks rally of decline this week and any additional hawkish surprises will pressure stocks.

 

Is the Fed About to Make a Policy Mistake?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is the Fed About to Make a Policy Mistake
  • Powell Testimony Takeaways
  • S&P 500 Chart: Similarities to January 2020

U.S. equity futures are rebounding with European stocks and other risk assets such as oil this morning as Omicron fears continue to ebb and flow while some of the hawkish money flows from yesterday are unwound.

Powell’s comments yesterday were hawkish regarding tapering however the market’s outlook for rate hikes remains largely unchanged which is helping stocks stabilize.

Economically, Final Manufacturing PMIs were largely in line with expectations overnight and did not materially move markets.

Looking into today’s session, there are a few key economic reports to watch starting with the first look at November jobs data via the ADP Employment Report (E: 525K), followed by the ISM Manufacturing Index (E: 61.1) and Construction Spending (E: 0.6%).

Finally, Powell will continue his CARES Act testimony at 10:00 a.m. ET today and the market will be listening closely for any further hints about taper plans, rate hike timelines, and the potential impact of the Omicron variant.

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What Powell’s Renomination Means for Markets

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Powell’s Renomination Means for Markets
  • Gold Update: Cooling Inflation Outlook Favors the Bears

U.S. stock futures are trading lower with most overseas equity markets as elevated bond yields continue to weigh on big-cap tech names.

Economically, Composite PMI data in Europe was better than expected with the Eurozone figure hitting 55.8 vs. (E) 53.1 for November however the upbeat data is further supporting bond yields which are weighing on equities.

Looking into today’s session, there is one domestic economic report to watch: PMI Composite Flash (E: 57.8) and if it is as strong as the releases in Europe, that could support a further rise in yields which will keep pressure on equity markets.

There are no Fed officials scheduled to speak today but the Treasury will hold a 7-Yr Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET that could serve as another catalyst for higher yields. And again, that is a potential negative for stocks as big-cap tech names will almost certainly extend yesterday’s late-day declines if yields continue this week’s rise.

Why Last Week Was More Positive for Stocks Than It Seems

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Last Week Was More Positive for Markets Than It Seems
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Will COVID Concerns Recede?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Key Inflation Report on Wednesday

Futures are moderately higher on Powell optimism and as there were no incremental COVID restrictions in Europe.

President Biden was reportedly highly complimentary of Powell in meetings this weekend, leading markets to fully expect he will be reappointed as Fed Chair this week.

There were no new COVID restrictions announced in Europe over the weekend, providing some hope lockdowns won’t be extensive.

There were no notable economic reports overnight.

Today there are no Fed speakers and just one economic report, Existing Home Sales (E: 6.20 M), and that won’t move markets.  So, any news on Powell’s reappointment as Fed Chair and incremental COVID headlines will move markets today (if Powell is reappointed and COVID headlines don’t get worse, stocks can extend the rally).

Tom Essaye Quoted in CNBC on August 30, 2021

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Treasury yields fall slightly as investors await key jobs report

The 10-year yield continues to build upside momentum, and Powell’s dovish tone on Friday won’t…Tom Essaye of the Sevens Report said in a note on Monday. Click here to read the full article.