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Tom Essaye Quoted in Morningstar on August 13th, 2023

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A stumbling stock market faces a crucial summer test. Here’s what will decide the bull’s fate.

“This scenario would essentially undermine the three pillars of the rally, and as such investors should expect a substantial decline in stocks, even considering the recent pullback,” Tom Essaye said in a note last week. “In fact, a decline of much more than 10% would be likely in this scenario, as it would undermine most of the rationale for the gains in stocks since June (and perhaps all of 2023).”

Click here to read the full article.

Current Market Glossary (For Clients & Prospects)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Current Market Glossary (For Clients & Prospects)

Futures are slightly lower following a night of disappointing tech earnings.

NFLX, TSLA and TSM all posted disappointing earnings results (stocks down 3% – 6% pre-market) and that’s weighing on Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures.

There was no notable economic data overnight.

Today will be another busy day of data and earnings results.  On the economic front, the two key reports are Weekly Jobless Claims (E: 250k) and Philly Fed (E: -10.0), and as you can guess (and especially at these stretched valuations) markets will want to see more Goldilocks data (so stable claims and Philly and falling prices).  We also get Existing Home Sales (E: 4.23M) but, barring a big miss, that shouldn’t move markets.

Turning to earnings, focus today is on industrials and consumer/healthcare names, and some important results to watch include:  AAL ($1.58), TSM ($1.07), JNJ ($2.61), PM ($1.48), COF ($3.31), CSX ($0.49), and PPG ($2.14).

Market Multiple Table (July Update)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Table (July Update)
  • Why the Empire Manufacturing Survey was “Goldilocks” enough to push stocks higher.

Futures are little changed following a generally quiet night of news as markets look ahead to important economic data and the start of a deluge of earnings results this week.

Economically, there was no data overnight while there was more vague talk of Chinese stimulus, but nothing concrete.

Today the calendar is full of notable economic reports and earnings.  Starting with economic data, Retail Sales (E: -0.3% mm, 1.6% y/y) is the key report today and markets will want to see stability in the data to further the “Golidlocks” narrative of falling inflation and stable growth.  So, no big disappointments.  We also get Industrial Production (E: 0.0% m/m, 1.10% y/y) and the U.S. Housing Market Index (E: 56.0) and again stability is the key word for both reports.

On earnings, most of the results today will be focused on banks/financials, but the bottom line is markets want to hear solid guidance and economic commentary to further dispel hard landing worries.  Important reports today include:  BAC ($0.84), SCHW ($0.72), MS ($1.14), LMT ($6.43), PNC ($3.31), WAL ($ 1.98) and JBHT ($1.97).

What Pushes Stocks Higher from Here?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Pushes Stocks Higher from Here?
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Earnings Take Center Stage
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Growth Data in Focus this Week

Futures are slightly lower following mixed Chinese economic data and a potential further escalation of the Russia/Ukraine war.

Chinese economic data was mixed as GDP and Retail Sales both missed estimates, while Industrial Production beat, and the data will keep markets  wanting more stimulus.

Possibility of further escalation of the Russia/Ukraine war increased after Ukraine claimed responsibility for the destruction of a bridge linking Crimea and Russia.

Today focus will be on the first data point for July, the Empire Manufacturing Index (E: -4.3).  Markets will want to see this number be stronger than expectations and ideally turn positive, furthering the “Golidlocks” market narrative of falling inflation but stable growth.

PPI and Jobless Claims Strengthen the “Goldilocks” Narrative

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • PPI and Jobless Claims Strengthen the “Goldilocks” Narrative

Futures are little changed following a quiet night of news as markets digest the Wed/Thurs rally and focus turns to the start of the Q2 earnings season.

Economically, there was more evidence of global disinflation (or deflation) as German Wholesale Prices (think their PPI) declined –2.9% y/y vs. (-1.2%) y/y.

Today focus will be on earnings, as we get several major bank earnings results:  JPM ($5.92), C ($1.31), WFC ($1.15), and BLK ($8.47) as well as UNH ($5.92).  These large cap companies usually don’t provide too many surprises in their earnings reports, but markets will want to hear positive commentary on the overall environment to further support this latest rally in stocks.

There are also two notable inflation linked economic reports today, Import & Export Prices (E: -0.2%, -0.4%), Consumer Sentiment (E: 65.0), but barring any major surprises they shouldn’t move markets.

Fed Decision Takeaways

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What the Fed Decision Means for Markets
  • FOMC Decision Takeaways
  • Oil Update – Resilient Demand Offset By Fed Policy Worries

U.S. equity futures are lower as the Fed decision continues to be digested while global economic data largely missed expectations overnight.

Economically, Chinese data was universally disappointing with Industrial Production and Retail Sales both missing estimates while EU trade data showed that imports and exports both declined by more than anticipated. China’s central bank cut rates further overnight, however, which saw risk assets in Asia recover to end with gains.

Looking into today’s session, the ECB decision will be in focus this morning (E: +25bp hike) followed by President Lagarde’s press conference. If the ECB is seen as hawkish, it will likely weigh on stocks and other risk assets as it will show central bankers are not yet satisfied with the trends in inflation and more aggressive policy is likely in the months ahead.

In the U.S., there is a slew of economic data due to be released including: Jobless Claims (E: 250K), Retail Sales (E: 0.0%), Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index (E: -13.2), Empire State Manufacturing Index (E: -15.1), Import & Export Prices (E: -0.6%, -0.5%), and Industrial Production (E: 0.1%).

And with the Fed leaving future policy plans largely “open” and dependent on economic data, the market will want to see more “Goldilocks” trends with slowing growth and a more rapid decline in price readings.

 

Sevens Report Alpha: Artificial Intelligence Issue

This week’s Alpha issue focused on a very popular market topic:  Artificial Intelligence.

This issue was an update to a March 7th Alpha issue on AI, and the three ETFs we profiled in that report have risen 20%, 17%, and 14%, respectively in just three months! 

This week’s AI issue updated and expanded that research as we:

  • Reviewed and updated the research on our previous AI ETF picks.
  • Introduced two new AI-focused ETFs that are both up more than 30% YTD.
  • Included a proprietary spreadsheet of 30 AI stocks and categorized them by: Sector, Market Cap, Price/Earnings ratio, Price/Sales ratio, Revenue, and Performance.

If you’d like to start a risk-free trial subscription to Sevens Report Alpha and access the latest AI issue, and all previous Alpha issues and webinars since 2017, please email info@sevensreport.com.

We do ask that you pay the $330 quarterly subscription fee, but there is a 30 day money back guarantee, so you risk nothing to try the product.  

To learn more about Sevens Report Alpha, click this link. 

CPI Preview (Good, Bad & Ugly)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • CPI Preview (Good, Bad & Ugly)

Futures are little changed despite solid tech earnings and more Chinese stimulus, as markets await the CPI report at 8:30 a.m. ET.

ORCL posted solid earnings and rallied 5% overnight and that’s adding to overall tech and market momentum.

Chinese authorities cut the reverse repo rate to 1.9% from 2.0%, and that move increased market expectations for future additional stimulus.

Today focus will be on the CPI report and expectations are as follows: 0.2% m/m, 4.1% y/y, Core CPI (E: 0.4% m/m, 5.3% y/y).  Additionally, “Super Core” CPI (which is core CPI less housing) will also be in focus and markets will want to see a drop to (or ideally below) 5.2% y/y.

Bottom line, markets need CPI to confirm accelerating disinflation to continue to rally, while a sticky inflation number will result in real market disappointment (although the looming FOMC decision should keep any market moves more muted than they otherwise would have been).

A “Make or Break” Week for the Rally

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • A “Make or Break” Week for the Rally
  • Where the Opportunity is in Stocks Right Now
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Will Data Confirm “Goldilocks” Optimism?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  CPI Tuesday, Fed Wednesday, Key Growth Data Thursday

Futures are slightly higher on momentum from last week’s rally, as it was a very quiet weekend of actual news and investors are looking ahead to multiple important market catalysts this week.

Economically, the only notable number was Japanese PPI which rose 5.1% y/y vs. (E) 5.7% y/y in what is the latest sign of global disinflation.

Oil declined more than 2% overnight on over supply concerns as Russia is largely ignoring its production quota.

Today there are no notable economic reports nor any Fed speakers, so barring any major surprises markets should be relatively calm ahead of tomorrow’s CPI report, Wednesday’s FOMC decision and Thursday’s important economic data.

Why Treasury Yields Surged Yesterday (Hint: Inflation)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Treasury Yields Surged Yesterday (Hint:  inflation)

Futures are flat as markets digest Thursday’s rally and consider multiple reports that a debt ceiling deal is imminent.

Numerous media outlets have reported a two-year debt ceiling deal is imminent, and if that becomes official today we should expect a modest and temporary rally.

AI optimism/euphoria continued overnight with Marvell Technologies (MRVL) rising 18% on strong AI guidance.

Focus today will first be on the debt ceiling, and if a formal deal is announced with should expect a knee jerk rally, although by itself a debt ceiling compromise won’t be a sustainable bullish catalyst.  Outside of the debt ceiling, the key reports today include the Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.3% m/m, 4.6% y/y)  and Durable Goods Orders (E: -1.1%) and investors will want to see stability in both reports to hint at ongoing disinflation and a soft landing.  We also get Consumer Sentiment (E: 58.0) and if inflation expectations rise further in that report, it could become a headwind on stocks.

Why Stocks Rallied on Thursday

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Stocks Rallied on Thursday
  • Policy Spread Update (Rate Cuts Imminent?)

Futures are slightly lower on digestion of Thursday’s rally and as markets await bank earnings this morning.

Fed balance sheet news overnight was mixed, as total usage of the Discount Window and BTFP dropped to $139 bln from $149 bln, but that’s still very elevated and it underscores there’s still stress in the regional banks.

Focus today will be on economic data and earnings, and the key here remains stability in both sets of reports (so no major disappointments).  Important economic reports today include, in order of importance, Retail Sales (E: -0.4%), Industrial Production (E: 0.3%) and Consumer Sentiment (E: 62.7).

Earnings season starts today and key reports we’re watching include: JPM ($3.41), C ($1.66), WFC ($1.15), PNC ($3.60), BLK ($7.73), UNH ($6.24).

Finally, there’s one Fed speaker, Waller at 8:45 a.m. ET but he shouldn’t move markets (the Fed message is very consistent right now).