Posts

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:

  • Thoughts on the Meme-Stock Revival
  • CPI Preview: Good, Bad, & Ugly
  • Chart – NY Fed’s Consumer Survey Contains Hot Inflation Print

Global markets are little changed this morning as traders digest mostly better-than-expected economic data from Europe and await today’s PPI report and commentary from Fed Chair Powell.

“Meme stocks” GME and AMC are notably up 58% and 64%, respectively, in pre-market trading this morning (more on that in today’s report).

Economically, German CPI met estimates at 2.2% y/y while Economic Sentiment in the German ZEW came in at 47.1 vs. (E) 45.0. Domestically, the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index beat with a headline of 89.7 vs. (E) 88.3 but the data is having a limited impact on markets this morning.

Looking into today’s session, focus will be on PPI (E: 0.3% m/m, 2.2% y/y) and Core PPI (E: 0.2% m/m, 2.3% y/y) due out at 8:30 a.m. ET. A “hot” print would spark hawkish, risk-off money flows while a cooler-than-expected report could see the S&P 500 test all-time-highs as CPI whisper numbers are dialed back.

Finally, there are a handful of Fed speakers today including Cook (9:10 a.m. ET) ahead of the bell and Schmid (8:15 p.m. ET) later this evening. Most importantly though, Powell will speak at 10:00 a.m. ET and if he is more hawkish than two weeks ago at the May FOMC meeting, that will put upward pressure on rates and weigh, potentially heavily, on 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.

Is Gasoline Demand Another Economic Warning Sign?

/in , /by

Is Gasoline Demand Another Economic Warning Sign? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is Gasoline Demand Another Economic Warning Sign?
  • Did Earnings Season Change the Market Outlook?

Futures are solidly higher thanks to continued momentum from Thursday’s rally following a quiet night of news.

Economically, UK data was stronger than expected (GDP and Industrial Production beat estimates) but it’s not changing BOE June rate cut assumptions.

Today there is just one notable economic report, the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index (E: 77.0) and the key parts of that release will be the 1-Yr Inflation Expectations (E: 3.2%) and the 5-Yr. Inflation Expectations (E: 3.0%).  If both of those numbers are higher than expected, it’ll be another negative signal on inflation and don’t be surprised if Treasury yields rise in response to them and stocks give back these early gains.

In addition to that one economic report, we also get numerous Fed speakers today including: Bowman (9:00 a.m. ET), Logan (10:00 a.m. ET), Kashkari (10:00 a.m. ET), Goolsbee (12:45 p.m. ET) and Barr (1:30 p.m. ET).  However, unless one of them explicitly advocates for rate hikes, they 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.

There are only really three important weeks of earnings season

/in , /by

There are only really three important weeks of earnings season: Sevens Report Editor, Tom Essaye, Quoted in Barron’s

Dow, S&P 500 Tick Higher

“There are only really three important weeks of earnings season, and Disney comes the week after it,” Sevens Report Research’s Tom Essaye told Barron’s. “It sort of puts a bow on earnings season, but it’s not like Disney is really that representative of the broader economy.”

“The global market has convinced themselves that that the [European Central Bank] and the BOE are going to cut in June,” Essaye says. “And if the Bank of England pushes back on that, I think could be a little bit of a negative surprise.”

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on May 7th, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

It’ll be Very Hard for This Market to RallyIf 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.

Things aren’t as bad as people were afraid of

/in , /by

Things aren’t as bad as people were afraid of: Sevens Report Editor, Tom Essaye, Quoted in Barron’s

S&P 500 Holds Above Its 50-Day Moving Average

“The bottom line is that things aren’t as bad as people were afraid of about 10 days ago, and now the market is rallying, now it’s making some technical progress getting back above the 50, and that’s just going to create more chasing, more fear of missing out,” Essaye says. “And I think that’s really what’s helping the market these last couple of days.”

“Until something happens to kind of break this little conversation that investors are having with each other where they’re convincing themselves of these things, the market can rally,” Essaye says. “And there’s not a ton on the calendar this week to break that idea.”

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on May 7th, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

It’ll be Very Hard for This Market to RallyIf 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.

What Are The GRANOLAS and Why Are They Attractive?

/in , /by

What Are The GRANOLAS and Why Are They Attractive? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Are The GRANOLAS and Why Are They Attractive?
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are modestly weaker following a quiet night of news as investors digest the last weeks’ gains.

Economically, Chinese exports (1.5% vs. (E) 1.3%) and imports (8.4% vs. (E) 4.7%) were stronger than expected, offering some optimism for that economy.

Tech earnings continued to be mixed as semiconductor company ARM Holdings (ARM) posted soft guidance and the stock is down 8% pre-market.

Today focus initially will be on the BOE Rate Decision, as no rate cut is expected but the BOE may signal a rate cut is coming in June.  In the U.S., the only notable number is Jobless Claims (E: 212K) and there’s just one Fed speaker today (Daly at 2:00 p.m. ET) and it’ll take a significant surprise from either event to 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.

An S&P 500 Priced for Perfection: May MMT Chart

/in , /by

An S&P 500 Priced for Perfection: May MMT Chart: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • May MMT Chart: An S&P 500 Priced for Perfection
  • Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index Raises Questions About Growth

Futures are flat as disappointing earnings in Asia (Toyota and Nintendo) were largely offset by solid guidance from AB InBev and Siemens Energy in Europe while macroeconomic news wires were relatively quiet.

Economically, exports from Taiwan plunged to 4.3% y/y in April from 18.9% in March due to weak Chinese demand but exports to the U.S. hit a record amid strong AI demand. The soft Chinese demand is a concern, but AI optimism is for now offsetting those worries.

There are no notable economic reports today leaving focus on the Fed speaker circuit with Jefferson (11:00 a.m. ET), Collins (11:45 a.m. ET) and Cook (1:30 p.m. ET) all scheduled to speak.

Additionally, there is a 10-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET. Yesterday’s 3-Yr Note auction saw decent demand but if today’s longer duration Note auction is soft, that will put upward pressure on yields and weigh on equity markets as this relief rally has begun to lose momentum.

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.

Markets have held up well to a dramatic reduction in rate-cut estimates

/in , /by

Markets have held up well to a dramatic reduction in rate-cut estimates: Tom Essaye, Sevens Report Editor, Quoted in MarketWatch on MSN

This is the big question markets have for Fed’s Jerome Powell, BlackRock says

“Since the start of the year, markets have held up well to a dramatic reduction in rate-cut estimates,” Tom Essaye, founder and president of Sevens Report Research, said in a note on Tuesday. “Remember, in January the market expected six rate cuts starting in March.”

Stocks and bonds haven’t been hit harder by the recent shift in those expectations because “the market still expects the next move from the Fed to be a cut,” Essaye said. A reiteration of that message by Powell on Wednesday could help stop the S&P 500’s recent slide, he said.

Also, click here to view the full MarketWatch article published by MSN on May 1st, 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.

Earnings in those tech companies are really important

/in , /by

Earnings in those tech companies are really important: Sevens Report Editor, Tom Essaye, Quoted in Barron’s

Stocks Open Mixed Ahead of Fed Decision

“Bottom line, there are a lot of potential catalysts for markets today but the key to stocks stabilizing will be economic data that contradicts recent signs of stagflation emerging in the economy and a benign Fed day with an as-expected dovish announcement and no surprises from Chair Powell,” writes Sevens Report Research’s Tom Essaye. “Otherwise, we could easily see a test or breakdown through the April lows in the S&P 500 today.”

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on May 1st, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

It’ll be Very Hard for This Market to RallyIf 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.

Sevens Report Research’s Tom Essaye Quoted by Barron’s in a Phone Interview

/in , /by

Price pressures are firming up: Sevens Report Editor, Tom Essaye, Quoted in Barron’s

Dow Drops 300 Points. Price Pressures Are Firming Up.

Sevens Report Research’s Tom Essaye told Barron’s in a phone interview that hotter-than-expected employment cost and home price data spooked markets after a couple strong days.

“What I think that’s doing is reminding everybody, after a couple of days of a breather, that there’s really a long and growing list of indicators that are showing price pressures are firming up,” Essaye says.

He notes that while inflation is not roaring back, the numbers have remained elevated enough to increase the likelihood that the Federal Reserve keeps rates higher for longer.

“If he says, ‘Look, this is very disappointing and we may have to consider hiking rates again,’ which I don’t think he will do, but if he does do that, then it’s going to hit the markets really hard,” Essaye says.

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on April 30th, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

It’ll be Very Hard for This Market to RallyIf 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.

A Flash of Fear: FOMC Technical Preview

/in , /by

A Flash of Fear: FOMC Technical Preview: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • FOMC Technical Preview – A Flash of Fear in the Market (Shareable PDF By Request)
  • More Hot Inflation Data: Employment Cost Index and Case Shiller/FHFA Home Price Indices
  • Chart: Stagflation Concerns Bring Focus Back to the Yield Curve

Futures are lower as stagflation fears continue to weigh on risk assets while earnings were mixed overnight with AMZN reporting strong quarterly cloud sales (the stock is up 2%+) while AMD’s AI-chip demand forecast disappointed (the stock is down 6%+).

Economically, the U.K.’s April Manufacturing PMI was better than feared, rising to 49.1 vs. (E) 48.7 which is helping the FTSE buck the heavy trend across global equity markets this morning.

Looking into today’s session, focus will be on economic data early with the ADP Private Payrolls (E: 175K), ISM Manufacturing Index (E: 50.0), Construction Spending (E: 0.3%), and JOLTS (E: 8.7 million) all due to be released by 10 a.m. ET.

Additionally, the Treasury Refunding Announcement (8:30 a.m. ET) for which estimates sparked some volatility earlier in the week, could move bond markets and subsequently impact equities in the pre-market.

In the afternoon, focus will turn to the Fed with the FOMC Announcement at 2:00 p.m. ET followed by Fed Chair Powell’s Press Conference at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Earnings season takes a breather today before AAPL and other tech companies report tomorrow but there are still a few notables to monitor today including: MA ($3.22), CVS ($1.69), QCOM ($2.31).

Bottom line, there are a lot of potential catalysts for markets today but the key to stocks stabilizing will be economic data that contradicts recent signs of stagflation emerging in the economy and a benign Fed day with an as-expected to dovish announcement and no surprises from Chair Powell. Otherwise, we could easily see a test or breakdown through the April lows in the S&P 500 today.

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.