Sevens Report Research Tom Essaye Founder and President joins Yahoo Finance Live to discuss the Fed’s policy pathway moving ahead, inflation, the state of the economy, jobs data, a recession, what investors should be watching for, and the outlook for markets. Click here to watch the full interview.
What’s in Today’s Report:
Futures are sharply lower as markets digest yesterday’s Fed decision and a deluge of global central bank rate hikes.
By the time stocks open today, seven separate global central banks (including the Fed, ECB, BOE and Swiss National Bank) will have hiked rates over the last 24 hours and while it was all expected, it’s still weighing on sentiment.
Today will be a very busy day of central bank decisions and economic data. First, we get the BOE Rate Decision (E: 50 bps hike) and ECB Rate Decision (E: 50 bps hike) and the keys there will be the commentary (do either central bank hint that they’re close to the end of tightening).
On the economic front, the key reports today are (in order of importance): Philly Fed Manufacturing Index (E: -9.9), Empire State Manufacturing Index (E: -0.4), Jobless Claims (E: 230K), Retail Sales (E: -0.2%) and Industrial Production (E: 0.1%). If the data can show moderation and easing price pressures (especially in Empire and Philly) that’ll be a positive for stocks.
What’s in Today’s Report:
Futures are moderately higher on solid economic data and rising hope China could relax its “Zero COVID” policies.
The EU Composite PMI (47.3 vs. (E) 47.1) and UK Construction PMI (53.2 vs. (E) 50.5) both beat estimates, implying economic activity in Europe isn’t collapsing.
In China, an article in the South China Morning Post stated “big and substantive” changes looming for COVID policies.
Today focus will be on the Jobs Report and estimates are as follows: Job Adds: 210K, UE Rate: 3.6%, Wages: 0.3% m/m, 4.7% y/y. If markets can get an underwhelming number (say the low 100’s) that will be the first material sign the labor market is starting to deteriorate, and it could spark a rally in stocks as the Fed needs better balance in the labor market before they can “pivot.”
Away from the jobs report, we also have one Fed speaker, Collins at 10:00 a.m. ET but she shouldn’t move markets.
What’s in Today’s Report:
Futures are modestly lower following disappointing inflation data and as Russia suspended grain shipments from Crimea.
EU HICP (their CPI) ran hotter than expected, rising 10.7% vs. (E) 10.2% y/y while Core HICP rose 5.0% vs. (E) 4.8%, again showing that inflation pressures are not easing.
Russia suspended grain shipments in response to rocket attacks on Crimea, sending wheat prices sharply higher which will add to inflation pressures.
Today there are no economic reports but there are some notable earnings, especially from the semi-conductor companies and some companies we’re watching include: ON ($1.31), NXPI ($3.62), CAR ($14.80).
What’s in Today’s Report:
Futures are slightly higher ahead of this morning’s CPI as reports suggest UK PM Truss will have to abandon more of her fiscal spending and tax cut plan.
Positively, conservative members of Parliament continued to push back against PM Truss’s fiscal plan and that’s helping the Pound rally and GILT yields to decline.
Negatively, Chinese authorities are reimposing some restrictions in Shanghai as COVID cases rise and as Chinese officials hold on to the “Zero COVID” policy.
Focus today will be on CPI and estimates are as follows: Headline: 0.2% m/m and 8.1% y/y. Core: 0.4% m/m and 6.5% y/y. For CPI to spark a material rally, markets will want to see outright declines in CPI (so less than 8.1% and 6.3% respectively). Conversely, year over year CPI coming in higher than September readings will reinforce the idea that inflation is not declining, and the market is a long, long way from a Fed pivot. The other notable report today is Jobless Claims (E: 225K) but that shouldn’t move markets.
Higher rates are restrictive in nature, and likely to become a headwind on consumer spending including that on refined products like gasoline and diesel…said Tyler Richey, co-editor at Sevens Report Research. Click here to read the full article.
What’s in Today’s Report:
Futures are moderately lower following mixed economic data and after a WSJ article warned the market was underestimating Fed conviction on rate hikes.
Economically, German PPI surged 37.2% vs. (E) 30.9% y/y on exploding electricity costs while UK Retail Sales fell –3.4% vs. (E) -3.3%. Both numbers highlight the economic challenges facing the EU and UK.
A WSJ article warned of a “reckoning” for stocks as markets think the Fed is bluffing about further hikes and that’s weighing on sentiment this morning.
Today there are no notable economic reports but there is one Fed speaker, Barkin at 9:00 a.m. ET, and if he echoes this disconnect between Fed intentions and market expectations for rates, that will further pressure stocks today.
Hiking fed funds to 4%, 5% or higher won’t make semiconductor factories in Asia run more consistently, nor will it deter the Chinese from future lockdowns. Tom Essaye, a trader and founder of financial research firm Sevens Report Research, wrote. Click here to read the full article.
By making borrowing more expensive and thereby tempering demand, rate increases are critical in combating inflation, but “growing fears” that the hikes will spur a recession by undercutting economic growth are the “driving forces” behind recent market weakness, says analyst Tom Essaye of the Sevens Report. Click here to read the full article.
What’s in Today’s Report:
Stock futures are bouncing modestly with European shares and bond markets are stable this morning as inflation data met expectations in the Eurozone and the BOJ decision was viewed as dovish versus expectations.
The BOJ maintained a very easy monetary policy, sending the yen back towards recent lows while Eurozone HICP (their CPI equivalent) came in at 8.1% vs. (E) 8.1% y/y which is helping markets stabilize this morning.
Looking into today’s session, there is one economic report to watch: Industrial Production (E: 0.4%) and the market will be looking for a strong print to ease concerns surrounding this week’s soft survey-based factory data and bolster the outlook for economic growth in the face of an aggressive Fed.
Fed Chair Powell is also set to deliver a speech at 8:45 a.m. ET and any comments on the economy or future policy plans could move markets today.
Finally, today is quadruple witching options expiration so expect very heavy volumes and the potential for momentum to build in either direction as derivatives traders square their books into the end of the quarter. In the S&P 500 3,650, 3700, and 3750 will all be key levels to watch into the afternoon today.