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Understanding Why the Decline in Inflation Has Stalled

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Understanding Why the Decline in Inflation Has Stalled: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Understanding Why the Decline in Inflation Has Stalled

Futures are slightly lower following more disappointing Chinese economic data and as geo-political concerns rise.

Chinese exports fell –7.5% vs. (E) -1.9% underscoring that growth remains a major concern in the Chinese economy.

Oil and gold are sharply higher on a WSJ article stating Iran could directly retaliate against Israel this weekend (a direct attack on Israel by Iran would be a substantial escalation).

Today there is one notable economic report, Consumer Sentiment (E: 79.0), but barring major surprise that shouldn’t move markets.    Instead, focus will be on Fed Speak and earnings.

Starting with the Fed, we have several speakers today including Schmid (1:00 p.m.), Bostic (2:30 p.m.) and Daly (3:30 p.m.) and if they echo Thursday’s commentary that rate cuts aren’t coming soon, expect mild pressure on stocks.

On earnings, today is the start of the Q1 earnings season and several big banks report including: JPM ($4.18), BLK ($4.92), WFC ($1.09) and C ($1.29).  Focus will be on the results and on consumer commentary and the stronger the commentary, the more of a tailwind earnings will provide to stocks.

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Why Yesterday’s Data Was Worse Than the Market Reaction

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Why Yesterday’s Data Was Worse Than the Market Reaction: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Yesterday’s Data Was Worse Than the Market Reaction

Futures are seeing a mild bounce despite mixed inflation data and disappointing tech earnings overnight.

The global decline in inflation was again challenged overnight as French HICP was slightly hotter than expected.

ADBE posted solid earnings but underwhelming guidance and the stock is down 12% pre-market, weighing on the tech sector.

Today focus will remain on economic data and if there are more hints of “stagflation” (underwhelming growth and solid price pressures) expect declines from stocks.  Key reports today include, in order of importance: Empire State Manufacturing Index (E: -8.0), 1-Yr/5 yr Inflation Expectations (E: 3.0%/2.9%), Industrial Production (E: 0.0%) and Consumer Sentiment (E: 77.3).

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Why the Tech Sector Is Like a Modern Day Gold Rush

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Why the Tech Sector Is Like a Modern Day Gold Rush: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why the Tech Sector Is Like a Modern Day Gold Rush
  • Chart: Rising Market-Based Inflation Expectations Bolster Gold Prices

U.S. futures are modestly lower this morning as Chinese economic concerns are offsetting a cool EU inflation print.

A sizeable new wave of Chinese stimulus actions failed to soothe investor worries about the economy overnight, underwhelming investors as China’s Service PMI unexpectedly fell to 52.5 vs. (E) 52.9 in February.

In Europe, financial news flow was better as the EU Composite PMI rose to 49.2 vs. (E) 48.9 while PPI fell a steep -0.9% vs. (E) -0.1% helping to ease some recent worries about a resurgence in price pressures.

Looking into today’s session there are three domestic economic reports to watch: Composite PMI (E: 51.4), Factory Orders (E: -3.0%), and the ISM Services Index (E: 53.0). The ISM print will be the most important as investors will be looking for continued strength in consumer spending but steady or easing price indices to underscore disinflation has not stalled/reversed.

There are no Fed officials scheduled to speak today and with Powell’s testimony looming tomorrow a slow churn in markets or modest continuation lower could play out today as short term traders book profits from the most recent run to record highs.

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Why Have Stocks Already Recouped Most of Tuesday’s Losses?

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Why Have Stocks Already Recouped Most of Tuesday’s Losses? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Have Stocks Already Recouped Most of Tuesday’s Losses?

Futures are slightly higher mostly on momentum from Thursday’s rally and despite hotter than expected economic data and hawkish Fed commentary.

UK Retail Sales rose 3.4% vs. (E) 1.5% and that hot reading is pushing back on yesterday’s dovish expectations.

Atlanta Fed President Bostic pushed back on near term rate cut expectations during a speech Thursday night.

Today focus will remain on economic data and the key report today is PPI (E: 0.1% m/m, 0.7% y/y).  PPI isn’t as important as Tuesday’s CPI, but if it shows a similar pop higher, that add to inflation anxiety and likely push yields higher (and stocks lower).

Other notable data and events today include Housing Starts (E: 1.47 million), Consumer Sentiment (E: 80) and two Fed speakers:  Barr (9:10 a.m. ET), Daly (12:10 p.m. ET).  But, barring a big surprise from the data or Daly, they shouldn’t move markets.

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Was Yesterday the Start of a Pullback?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Was Yesterday’s Hot CPI the Start of a Pullback? (Four Issues to Address)
  • VIX Chart Shows Options Trading Amplified Yesterday’s Selloff
  • CPI Takeaways

Stock futures are rebounding back from yesterday’s steep post-CPI selloff thanks to some “cooler” inflation data in the U.K. overnight and better than expected factory data out of Europe. The 10-Yr yield is stable, just below 4.30%.

Economically, the Q4 Eurozone GDP Flash met estimates at a tepid 0.1% y/y but EU Industrial Production jumped 2.6% vs. (E) -0.3% in December easing some ongoing growth worries.

U.K. PPI also favorably declined across the board which is offsetting the nation’s slightly higher than expected CPI data.

Looking into today’s session, there are no notable economic reports but two Fed officials who happen to be scheduled to speak at the open and close: Goolsbee (9:30 a.m. ET), Barr (4:00 p.m. ET).

Goolsbee is notably an FOMC voting member who leans towards the dovish camp and could potentially add support for a relief rally today after yesterday’s sharp decline. VIX futures expiration could also impact money flows in early trade.

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Five Measurable Similarities to 2006/2007

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Five Measurable Similarities to 2006/2007: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Five Measurable Similarities to 2006/2007: A Market Cycle Update

Futures are little changed ahead of the holiday weekend as poor Nike (NKE) earnings weigh on sentiment.

Earnings this week haven’t been great and that continued overnight as Nike (NKE) missed on revenues and cut revenue guidance. The stock is down –12% pre-market.

Economically, UK data was mixed as quarterly GDP declined (-0.1% vs. (E) 0.0%) while retail sales were strong.

Otherwise, the focus will remain on economic data and the key report today is the November Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.2% m/m, 3.4% y/y), which is the Fed’s preferred inflation metric.  It is expected to show declines in the pace of headline and core inflation from October and if that happens, it should support stocks and bonds and reinforce rate cut expectations.

Other notable data today includes Durable Goods (E: 2.4%), New Home Sales (E: 690K) and Consumer Sentiment (E: 69.4, 1-Yr inflation: 3.1%). But barring a major surprise from them, they shouldn’t move markets.

Meanwhile the bond market closes at 2:00 p.m. today with the looming holiday weekend. So, we expect activity to quiet considerably in the markets as the trading day goes on.

Finally, from all of us at Sevens Report Research, please have a happy and safe holiday weekend.

Five Measurable Similarities

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S&P 500 Market Multiple Levels Chart

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S&P 500 Market Multiple Levels Chart: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • S&P 500 Market Multiple Targets – December Update (Shareable PDF Available)
  • Housing Market Update: Where Are the Declines?
  • Housing Starts Come in “Hot” – Chart

Stock futures are modestly lower and bond yields are continuing to fall. As cooler-than-expected European inflation data o/n has investors weighing simmering recession fears.

Economically, U.K. CPI fell from 4.6% to 3.9% vs. (E) 4.3% in November while German PPI was down -7.9% vs. (E) -7.5%. The data is being digested by some as “too cold”. This is causing renewed recession worries which is weighing on risk assets this morning.

Today, we will get two economic reports in the morning: Consumer Confidence (E: 103.4) and Existing Home Sales (E: 3.775 million). The market will want to see more signs of a resilient consumer to reaffirm soft landing hopes and keep recession fears contained.

Finally, in the afternoon there is a 20-Yr Treasury Bond auction at 1:00 p.m. ET which could shed light on how sustainable the bond market rally is. There is a risk that a weak auction outcome could pour some cold water on bonds and lead to some profit taking in equities ahead of more critical economic data due in the back half of the week.

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Why the Bar for the Fed to Be Hawkish Is High

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Why the Bar for the Fed to Be Hawkish Is High: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why the Bar for the Fed to Be Hawkish Is High
  • What the CPI Report Means for Markets

Futures are slightly higher despite soft economic data, as markets await the Fed decision later this afternoon.

Economically, data from the UK and the EU was bad and is slightly increasing growth concerns.   UK monthly GDP  and UK & EU Industrial Production all missed estimates.

Chinese growth concerns also rose as China declared industrial development as the #1 economic priority, potentially signaling less economic stimulus in 2024.

Today focus will be on the FOMC decision (2:00 p.m. ET, No change to rates expected) and the keys are the 2024 dot (does it show 50 bps of cuts?) and whether Powell slams the door on the idea of rate cuts (or leaves it slightly open).  In addition to the Fed, we also get another important inflation reading via PPI (E: 0.1% 1.0%). A further decline will be peripherally positive for markets.

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Three Pillars of the Rally Updated

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Three Pillars of the Rally Updated: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Three Pillars of the Rally Updated (An Important Change to Watch)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet – Friday’s Flash Composite PMI in Focus

Futures are steady after a mostly quiet weekend of financial news and thinning volumes coming into the holiday-shortened Thanksgiving trading week.

Geopolitically, Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized a cargo ship in the Red Sea. This is rekindling a fear bid in global energy markets as seaborne oil cargoes are viewed as “at risk.” The rise in oil prices is modestly pressuring Treasuries this morning (yields up slightly).

Economically, German PPI met estimates of -11.0% Y/Y in October further solidifying the global peak-inflation argument.

Looking into today’s session, there is just one economic report on the calendar with Leading Indicators (E: -0.6%) due out shortly after the open and there is just one Fed speaker midday: Barkin (12:00 p.m. ET).

One potential catalyst that could shake up markets today is the 20-Year Treasury Bond auction at 1:00 p.m. ET as weak results could trigger a rebound in yields. Especially given fading attendance this week and subsequently less liquid market conditions across asset classes.

Three Pillars

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Market Multiple Table – October Edition

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Market Multiple Table – October Edition: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Table – October Edition
  • Why Didn’t a Hot PPI Report Weigh on Markets?

Futures are modestly higher on more reports of global disinflation combined with additional Chinese stimulus.

Japanese PPI rose less than expected (2.0% vs. (E) 2.5%). And, that added to the recent list of inflation data points that imply ongoing global disinflation.

China’s sovereign wealth fund bought shares in the nation’s largest banks, boosting Asian markets.

Today the focus will be on the CPI report and expectations are as follows: Headline CPI:  0.3% m/m, 3.6% y/y, Core CPI: 0.3% m/m, 4.1% y/y.  Bottom line, a CPI Report under expectations should pressure yields and fuel a continued rally in stocks while a hot CPI should lift yields and likely weigh on stocks.

Away from the CPI report we also get Jobless Claims (E: 209K) and have multiple Fed speakers: Bostic & Collins.

Market Multiple Table - October Edition

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