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How Real Are Stagflation Risks?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • How Real Are Stagflation Risks?
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Are Tariffs Delayed Again?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Will the “Big Three” Monthly Economic Report Confirm Slowdown Fears?

Futures are modestly higher following solid Chinese economic data and as investors await more details of the looming tariffs on Mexico and Canada.

Economically, the Chinese manufacturing PMI rose to 50.2 vs. (E) 49.9, implying that stimulus is starting to flow through that economy.

On tariffs, the 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada start tomorrow, although markets still expect they will be delayed.

Today focus will be first on trade/tariff headlines and any delay in the 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada will be an obvious positive and reinforce the market’s belief that tariffs are just a negotiating tool.

Economically, the first of the “Big Three” monthly economic reports comes today via the ISM Manufacturing PMI (E: 50.6) and the stronger that number, the better.

What Outperforms in a Policy-Driven Economic Slowdown?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Outperforms in a Policy-Driven Economic Slowdown?
  • February Consumer Confidence Takeaways
  • Chart – Case-Shiller Home Price Index Highlights Sticky Inflation Pressures

Futures are solidly higher with mega-cap tech leading the early advance amid renewed AI optimism after Chinese AI company DeepSeek reopened access to its core interface model while investors await NVDA earnings after the close (shares up ~2.5% pre-market).

There are a slew of potential market catalysts today starting with one economic report due out shortly after the open: New Home Sales (E: 680K) and two noteworthy Fed officials scheduled to speak: Barkin (8:30 a.m. ET) and Bostic (12:00 p.m. ET).

Additionally, the Treasury will hold a 4-Month Bill auction at 11:30 a.m. ET (important for near-term Fed policy rate expectations) and a 7-Yr Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET (important to gauge investor concerns about an economic slowdown).

Finally, there are a few notable consumer companies reporting earnings before the open including LOW ($1.83) and TJX ($1.16) but the biggest potential market moving catalyst of the day comes after the close with NVDA earnings ($0.84), as well as two other important tech-related earnings releases from CRM ($2.61) and SNOW ($0.18).

Tom Essaye joins Financial Sense to break down what’s driving inflation

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Tom Essaye Interview With Financial Sense

This Week: Sticky Inflation and More Tariffs – Tom Essaye on Market Response

Financial expert Tom Essaye of the Sevens Report joins Financial Sense to break down what’s driving inflation, the potential impact of new tariffs, and why the Fed may be forced to reconsider rate cuts. With the S&P 500 at record highs, Essaye warns of market vulnerability and highlights where investors should be looking now. Don’t miss this deep dive into inflation, interest rates, and market strategy!

Also, click here to view the full interview with Financial Sense published on February 12th, 2025. 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.

What the January Barometer Says for Markets in 2025

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What the January Barometer Says for Markets in 2025: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What the January Barometer Says for Markets in 2025

Futures are slightly lower as markets digest lingering tariff uncertainty and despite better than expected economic data.

The only notable economic report overnight was Euro Zone Flash GDP and it beat estimates, rising 0.1% vs. (E) 0.0%.

On tariffs, the lack of detail and action on reciprocal tariffs was a relief but a “tariff cliff” has formed on or around April 1st and that uncertainty will stay a market headwind.

Tariff headlines should theoretically slow down for the next few weeks given the various trade studies that need to occur before tariff announcements in March/April, so focus will turn back towards data and there are two notable reports today:   Retail Sales (E: -0.1%) and Industrial Production (E: 0.3%).  As has been the case, Goldilocks data that’s at or slightly under expectations remains the best case for stocks as it implies solid growth but won’t make the Fed less dovish.

There is also one Fed speaker today, Logan at 3:00 p.m. ET, but she 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.

This market needs Goldilocks data to continue to hold up

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This market needs Goldilocks data to continue to hold up: Sevens Report Analysts Quoted in Investing.com

Sevens Report jobs preview: The ‘market needs Goldilocks data’

In the latest Sevens Report, analysts highlighted the importance of Friday’s jobs report, stating that “if it’s Goldilocks, it’s going to help support the market amidst all this tariff and policy noise.”

However, if the report is either too strong or too weak, it could introduce further volatility and pressure on stocks.

Sevens Report emphasizes that for markets to remain stable, “this market needs Goldilocks data to continue to hold up.”

Also, click here to view the full article published on February 6th, 2025. 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.

Can Stocks Rally in the Face of Tariff Threats?

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Can Stocks Rally in the Face of Tariff Threats?: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Can Stocks Rally in the Face of Tariff Threats?
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Do Fed Rate Cut Expectations Change This Week?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  CPI on Wednesday is the Key Report

Futures are modestly higher despite more tariff threats as markets bounce following Friday’s decline.

President Trump announced he was imposing 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and will apply “reciprocal” tariffs on numerous countries later this week.

Markets are shrugging off the announcements so far, however, because they again lack specific details.

Economically, there were no notable reports overnight.

Today focus will be on the New York Fed 1-Year Consumer Inflation Expectations (E: 3.0%), which is a bit atypical.  On Friday, one year inflation expectations jumped but it was because of tariff concerns and as such, it’s not going to impact the Fed.  However, if we see another jump in inflation expectations this morning, that may be taken as a mildly hawkish signal and boost yields and pressure stocks.

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Jobs Report Preview: Why A Goldilocks Report Matters For This Market

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Jobs Report Preview: Why A Goldilocks Report Matters For This Market: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Report Preview:  Why A Goldilocks Report Matters For This Market

Futures are little changed as markets await the next round of news on tariffs while economic data was mixed.

Economically, Euro Zone Retail Sales missed estimates (-0.2% vs. (E) 0.0%) underscoring still tepid EU growth.

On trade, a call between Trump and Xi still hasn’t happened but most expect tariffs to be reduced when it does.

Today will be a busy day in the markets, starting with a major central bank decision as the Bank of England is expected to cut rates 25 bps.

Economically, there are two notable reports today including Jobless Claims (E: 215K) and Unit Labor Costs (E: 3.3%) and as we’ve seen the last two days, slight misses vs. expectations will be positives for stocks and bonds.  On the Fed front, there are two speakers today but they won’t move markets as they both speak after the close (Logan at 5:10 p.m. ET and Waller at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Finally, on earnings, the key report today is AMZN ($1.52) after the bell.

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Trade War 2.0 Primer (Needed Context)

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Trade War 2.0 Primer (Needed Context): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • U.S. Trade Primer (Needed Context for Trade War 2.0)
  • Chart – JOLTS Drop Consistent With Cooling Labor Market

Futures are lower thanks to lingering trade war jitters and soft earnings from two big tech companies late yesterday.

GOOGL (-7%) missed estimates on revenue due to a slowdown in their cloud business while AMD (-9%) offered weak forward guidance, both of which are weighing on tech today, dragging stock futures lower in pre-market trade.

Today, there are two potentially market moving economic reports to watch; the ADP Employment Report (E: 150K) and the ISM Services PMI (E: 54.0). investors will once again be looking for Goldilocks data with steady but cooling jobs data and positive but slowing growth in the service sector. Any “hot” numbers will likely weigh on stocks today.

Additionally, there are several Fed officials scheduled to speak today including: Barkin (9:00 a.m. ET), Goolsbee (1:00 p.m. ET), and Bowman (3:00 p.m. ET) while earnings season continues with Q4 reports due out from UBER ($0.50), DIS ($1.44), TM ($4.36), F ($0.34), QCOM ($2.97), and MCK ($8.11).

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 Happens to Markets If the Bond Vigilantes Return?

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What Happens to Markets If the Bond Vigilantes Return?: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Happens to Markets If the Bond Vigilantes Return?
  • What Happens to Markets If the Bond Vigilantes Don’t Return?

Futures are slightly lower mostly on digestion of the recent rally and following a mostly quiet night of news.

Economically, the only notable number was UK CBI Industrial Trends, which were slightly better than expected (-34% vs. (E) -40%).

Politically, President Trump conducted an interview with Sean Hannity overnight but nothing new was revealed.

Today we get our first notable economic report of the week via Jobless Claims (E: 218K) and the case remains that Goldilocks data (so in-line to slightly weak) is the best case scenario for stocks, as it implies solid growth but won’t further reduce rate cut expectations.

On earnings, the reporting season continues to gain steam and some reports we’re watching today include GE ($1.02), AAL ($0.64), FCX ($0.25), TXN ($1.19), ISRG( $1.77).

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Bond Vigilantes Are Back (Part 1)

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Bond Vigilantes Are Back (Part 1): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • The Bond Vigilantes Are Back (They’re Just Not Here Yet) – Part One

U.S. futures are higher with global markets this morning amid a continued relief rally after Trump focused on AI and energy initiatives instead of tariffs on his first day.

Economically, New Zealand CPI came in as expected at 0.5% in Q4 which helped ease global inflation worries.

Today there is just one, second-tiered economic report due to be released: Leading Indicators (E: -0.1%) which is unlikely to move markets.

The Treasury will hold a 4-Month Bill auction at 11:30 a.m. ET and a 20-Year Bond auction at 1:00 p.m. ET. Investors will want to see more strong demand for both short duration and longer duration Treasuries to keep yields from rising again.

Finally, earnings season continues today with PG ($1.87), JNJ ($2.01), ABT ($1.34), KMI ($0.33), DFS ($3.15), and AA ($0.91) all releasing quarterly reports. Generally strong top and bottom line results would be an added tailwind to 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.