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Did Powell Really Get More Hawkish on Tuesday?

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Did Powell Really Get More Hawkish on Tuesday? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Did Powell Really Get More Hawkish on Tuesday?
  • EIA Update and Oil Market Analysis

Futures are slightly higher on better-than-expected earnings and following a generally quiet night of news.

Taiwan Semi-Conductor (TSMC) posted solid earnings and that’s helping to offset yesterday’s disappointing ASML report and giving tech stocks (and global stocks) a mild boost.

Looking forward, today is a busy day of data, Fed speak and earnings.

Starting with the economic data, the market needs Goldilocks reports to help stocks and bonds stabilize, which means readings at or below expectations, especially on the price indices in the Philly Fed survey.  Key reports today include:  Jobless Claims (E: 215K), Philly Fed (E: 0.0) and Existing Home Sales (E: 4.18 M).

Turning to the Fed, there are three speakers today:  Bowman (9:05 a.m. ET), Williams (9:15 a.m. ET) and Bostic (11:00 a.m. ET).  Williams is the most important of the three, but if the commentary reinforces there are no near-term rate cuts coming, that will be an incremental headwind on stocks and bonds.

Finally, on the earnings front, the calendar continues to heat up and key reports today include:  TSMC ($1.29), NFLX ($4.51), PPG ($1.86), WAL ($1.70).

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A Return to Reasonable Valuations? April MMT Chart

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A Return to Reasonable Valuations? April MMT Chart: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • A Return to Reasonable Valuations? April MMT Chart
  • Dip-Buying Becomes Riskier in Late-Cycle Environments
  • Housings Starts Plunge in March – Chart

Futures are higher this morning as the geopolitical situation in the Middle East is tense but stable, inflation data was largely as-expected, and good consumer-focused earnings are helping offset soft sales from chip-maker ASML.

Economically, EU Core CPI met estimates at 2.9% while the U.K.’s Core CPI figure was “warm” at 4.2% vs. (E) 4.1% but neither report is materially impacting the general “higher for longer” central bank policy stance in place right now.

There are no notable economic reports today and just two late-day Fed speakers: Mester (5:30 p.m. ET), Bowman (7:15 p.m. ET).

That will leave trader focus on the Treasury’s 20-Yr Bond auction at 1:00 p.m. ET as weak demand would add upward pressure on yields and pressure stocks.

Additionally, earnings season continues with TRV ($4.75), CFG ($0.75), CSX ($0.45), and DFS ($2.98) reporting today, however, none of those names should have a significant impact on the broader market unless there is a glaring disappointment or upside surprise.

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The March FOMC meeting begins today

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The March FOMC meeting begins today: Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s

Stocks Open Lower Ahead of Fed Meeting

The FOMC’s March meeting kicks off on Tuesday. While a rate cut has been ruled out by traders, they will pay close attention to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference on Wednesday.

“The March FOMC meeting begins today and barring any material ‘tape bombs’ the markets should fall into a familiar positioning churn ahead of tomorrow’s policy announcement and Powell’s press conference,” writes Sevens Report Research’s Tom Essaye.

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on March 19th, 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.

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This will be a potentially busy week of catalysts

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This will be a potentially busy week of catalysts: Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s

Stocks Open Lower as Bond Yields Rise

“This will be a potentially busy week of catalysts but it starts slowly today as there are no economic reports and just one Fed speaker,” writes Sevens Report Research’s Tom Essaye. “So, absent any surprises, expect yields to drive stocks. If the 10-year Treasury yield drifts lower, don’t be surprised if stocks recoup these early losses.”

“We think Powell will hold his ground and not try to give anything away,” writes Andrew Brenner, head of international fixed income at NatAlliance Securities. “He won’t be that hawkish or show signs of dovishness, although we see Powell as a dove in wolf’s clothing.”

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on March 4th, 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 Rally

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Catalyst #1 – CPI Preview: Good, Bad & Ugly

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

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • CPI Preview:  Good, Bad & Ugly
  • Weekly Market Preview:  The Last Busy Week of 2023 (Inflation Update, Fed Decision & Growth Reports)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Inflation Tomorrow, Fed Decision Wednesday, Economic Growth Updates Thurs/Fri

Futures are slightly lower on digestion of the multi-week rally following a quiet weekend and ahead of a the last catalyst-filled week of 2023.

Economically, there was no notable data overnight. Investors are focused on the looming reports this week (CPI tomorrow, Fed Wednesday, growth data Thurs/Fri).

On Japan, a Bloomberg article pushed back on the expectation for rate hikes and Japanese stocks are rallying 1%.

This is the last potentially busy week of 2023 but it starts slowly as the only notable report today is the N.Y. Fed 1 Year Consumer Inflation Expectations (3.6%).  If expectations drop sharply (possibly below 3.0%) that could provide a mild boost to stocks. But with key events looming Tuesday-Friday, the bar to move stocks and bonds today is pretty high.

CPI Preview

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Expect General Digestion of Last Week’s Rally

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Expect General Digestion of Last Week’s Rally: Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s

Stock Futures Slip as Investors Look Ahead to Jobs Report

“It’d take a major beat or miss to move markets, so we should expect continued general digestion of last week’s rally,” said Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research.

Investors will want to see signs that the economy is no longer running hot—inflation and growth moderating sufficiently to support the lowering of borrowing costs.

But markets also don’t want to see signs of undue weakness, which could suggest that the economy is slowing to a worrying degree.

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on December 4th, 2023. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

Expect General Digestion of Last Week’s Rally

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Why Did Stocks Drop? (Familiar Reasons)

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Why Did Stocks Drop? S&P 500: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Did Stocks Drop? (Familiar Reasons)
  • What A Seven Month High In Continuing Jobless Claims Means for Markets

Futures are little changed following a quiet night of news. Markets digest Thursday’s two “hawkish” events (poor Treasury auction and Powell comments), the rebound in Treasury yields and stock pullback.

Economic data was mixed overnight as UK manufacturing slightly disappointed (0.1% vs. (E) 0.3%). While monthly GDP slightly beat (-0.2% vs. (E) -0.1%) but overall, the data isn’t moving markets.

Treasury yields will likely remain in control of this market and if they continue to rise, expect more declines in stocks.  From a data standpoint, the numbers that could move Treasury yields today are Consumer Sentiment (E: 64.5) and the Five-Year Inflation Expectations (E: 3.0%).  Markets will want to see in-line readings for both (or lower in the case of inflation expectations) to pressure yields.

We also have two Fed speakers today, Logan (7:30 a.m. ET) and Bostic (9:00 a.m. ET) but they shouldn’t move markets (Logan will likely be slightly hawkish and Bostic slightly dovish).

Why Did Stocks Drop?

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What the Fed Decision Means for Markets

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What the Fed Decision Means for Markets: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What the Fed Decision Means for Markets
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are moderately higher on momentum from Wednesday’s post-Fed rally while earnings and data were solid overnight.

Economically, Euro Zone Manufacturing PMI was slightly better than expected (43.1 vs. (E ) 43.0).

On earnings, reports were good overnight with solid reports from ALL, CLX, PYPL, QCOM and others.

Today focus will be on economic data and a big earnings report after the close.  Economically, the two notable reports are Jobless Claims (E: 213K) and Unit Labor Costs (E: 0.7%).  Of the two, Unit Labor Costs are the more important number and markets will want to see an in-line or lower reading to imply receding inflation risks.

On the earnings front, there are a lot of reports today, but the highlight is clearly AAPL ($1.39) which reports after the close.  Other notable earnings include SQ ($0.47) and SBUX ($0.97).

Bottom line, if the market gets more Goldilocks data and solid earnings, this relief rally can continue. But if yields start to rise, don’t be shocked if there’s a reversal.

What the Fed Decision Means for Markets

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Is Another Crash Imminent?

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Is Another Crash Imminent? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is Another Crash Imminent?
  • Chart – M2 Money Supply Still Up Massively Despite QT
  • The Recent Gold Rally and Inflation Expectations

Stock futures are rebounding modestly this morning amid further stabilization in the Treasury market as big tech earnings come into focus while economic data overseas disappointed overnight.

The Eurozone PMI Composite Flash came in at 46.5. vs. (E) 47.4 with a softer than expected Services sub-index which added to existing recession worries in the EU overnight. And that soft data is contributing to the steady bond market this morning.

Looking into the U.S. session, there is one economic report to watch: PMI Composite Flash (E: 49.4), and as has been the case, a release that supports a soft-landing scenario (easing growth and falling price measures) will support stocks while a “hot” report that sends yields back higher will be a negative.

There are no Fed speakers today but there is a “policy-sensitive” 2-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET.  If demand is weak, that could put upward pressure on yields and reintroduce a headwind on equities and other risk assets as big tech earnings come into focus this week.

Earnings Update

Earnings season continues to ramp up this week with: KO ($0.69), VZ ($1.17), GE ($0.56), MMM ($2.34), and SYF ($1.44) reporting before the bell. While MSFT ($2.65), GOOGL ($1.45), and V ($2.23) will release results after the close.

Investors will want to see some better than expected results from the big tech names as they have been responsible for most of the 2023 stock market gains. Any disappointment will almost certainly mean new lows in the major indices this week.

Is Another Crash Imminent

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Trading Today Will be Dominated by Politics, Geopolitics, and Yields

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Trading Today Will be Dominated by Politics, Geopolitics, and Yields: Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s

Stocks Continue Falling Following Powell Remarks

The 10-year Treasury yield ticked lower to 4.949% after threatening to hit 5% for the first time since 2007.

Sevens Reports Research’s Tom Essaye notes that although two Federal Reserve officials are set to speak publicly today. He doesn’t expect either to move markets following Powell’s comments on Thursday.

“So, trading today will be dominated by politics, geopolitics, and yields,” he writes. “Any progress on finding a Speaker of the House will be welcomed by markets (regardless of whether it’s Jordan, McHenry or anyone else), and calming of tensions in the Middle East will similarly be welcomed by markets as would a decline in the 10-year yield. Meanwhile, the opposite of any of those will likely add more headwinds to stocks.”

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on October 21st, 2023. 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 Rally

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.

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