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Hard Landing vs. Soft Landing Scoreboard

Hard Landing vs. Soft Landing Scoreboard: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Hard Landing/Soft Landing Scoreboard
  • Case-Shiller Home Price Index Continues to Rise: Chart
  • Consumer Confidence Report Highlights Uncertain Economic Outlook

U.S. equity futures are mixed as continued strength in tech shares is supporting gains in Nasdaq 100 contracts while both the Dow Industrials and Russell 2000 futures are lower amid higher yields in the wake of hot inflation data overnight.

Economically, Australian CPI came in hot with the headline jumping to 4.0% y/y vs. (E) 3.8%, up from 3.6% previously.

In Europe, Germany’s GFK Consumer Climate Index slipped to -21.8 vs. (E) -20.0 pointing to weakening sentiment.

Looking into today’s session there are no Fed speakers scheduled to speak and just one economic report to watch: New Home Sales (E: 650K).

There is a 5-Yr Treasury Note auction in the early afternoon (1:00 p.m. ET) and investors will want to see strong demand like we saw with yesterday’s 2-Yr auction to keep bond yields stable and near recent lows.

Finally, there is one earnings release worth noting today as Micron Technologies will report quarterly results after the close (E: $0.51) and with a lot of optimism surrounding tech and AI, results will need to meet or exceed expectations to keep the mega-cap tech rally alive.


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The Fed outlook is essentially known at this point

The Fed outlook is essentially known at this point: Sevens Report Editor, Tom Essaye, Quoted in Barron’s


Stock Market Is In a Holding Pattern as Fed Officials Speak

“The Fed outlook is essentially known at this point,” Sevens Report Research’s Tom Essaye tells Barron’s.

He says that whether a first rate cut comes in September or December, it won’t matter too much.

“Maybe it causes a percent or two of volatility, but I don’t think it’s a substantial issue anymore,” Essaye says. “We know we’re getting something in September or December. I think the bigger question is, what’s growth look like when we get it.”

That’s why markets may hope for upbeat economic data in the months ahead, as signs of a slowing for the economy could have a more substantial impact on stocks than a brief delay for rate cuts.

“In the grand scheme of things, 25 basis points in September versus December, that’s not going to stop a slowdown if it’s occurring,” he says. “If somebody came out and said, ‘We’re thinking about not cutting rates at all,’ that would move markets. But I don’t think there’s any chance of that happening.”

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on June 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.

To strengthen your market knowledge take a free trial of The Sevens Report.


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Market Multiple Chart: Multiple Expansion Lifts Scenario Targets

Market Multiple Chart: Multiple Expansion Lifts Scenario Targets: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • MMT Chart:  Multiple Expansion Lifts Scenario Targets

Futures are solidly higher thanks to a surprise rate cut from the SNB and despite worsening geo-political tensions.

The Swiss National Bank surprisingly cut rates 25 bps, citing easing inflation pressures, as the global rate cut cycle gets underway.

Geo-politically, the leader of Hezbollah threatened Israel with war, underscoring rising tensions between Israel and Lebanon.

Today will be a moderately busy day of data and news.  First, there is a Bank of England Rate Decision and while no change in rates is expected, the BOE may signal it’s ready to cut rates in the next meeting or two.

Economically, there are two important reports today: Jobless Claims (E: 235K) and Philly Fed (E: 5.2).  Given the recent data showing a loss of momentum in economic growth, investors will want to see better than expected readings (while soft readings will strengthen the narrative for slowing growth).

Finally, the parade of Fed speakers continues this week with Kashkari (8:45 a.m. ET) and Barkin (4:00 p.m. ET) but unless one of them openly discuss rate hikes, they shouldn’t move markets.


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Market Multiple Table: Pushing Justifiable Valuations

Market Multiple Table: Pushing Justifiable Valuations: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • June Market Multiple Table – Pushing the Edge of Justifiable Valuations
  • Empire State Manufacturing Survey Takeaways
  • Chart – NVDA Tests Near-Term Uptrend

Futures are little changed as ongoing strength in technology shares offsets weakness in small caps in pre-market trade after mixed economic data overnight.

Economically, the German ZEW Survey missed estimates while the EU’s Narrow Core HICP (Core CPI equivalent) was inline with the May Flash of 2.9%, which was up from 2.7% in April.

Today, focus will be on economic data early with Retail Sales (E: 0.3%) and Industrial Production (E: 0.3%) both due to be released. Investors will be looking for signs of healthy consumer spending but not a figure that is “too hot” (hawkish policy concerns) or “too cold” (growth worries) while steady factory sector data would be welcomed but not as impactful for markets today.

There is also a long list of Fed speakers today. In chronological order, we will hear from: Barkin (10:00 a.m. ET), Collins (11:40 a.m. ET), Musalem (1:00 p.m. ET), Logan (1:00 p.m. ET) and Goolsbee (2:00 p.m. ET).

Finally, there is a 20-Yr Treasury Bond auction at 1:00 p.m. ET and weak demand could send yields higher and weigh on equities in afternoon trade.


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The data is starting to show a potential soft landing

The data is starting to show a potential soft landing: Sevens Report Editor, Tom Essaye, Quoted in Barron’s


Only Two S&P 500 Sectors Are Rising

Sevens Report Research’s Tom Essaye told Barron’s the data is starting to show a potential soft landing, though where it goes from here is anyone’s guess.

“A soft landing was always a slowing of growth that sort of didn’t get too bad,” Essaye says. “So it appears we are kind of arriving at that point. Now, the issue is that every hard landing started with a soft landing. You don’t just jump from growth to contraction.”

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on June 5th, 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.

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.

My biggest concern for this market remains that we get an unexpected economic slowdown

My biggest concern for this market remains that we get an unexpected economic slowdown: Sevens Report Editor, Tom Essaye, Quoted in Barron’s


The Stock Market Needs a Strong Economy to Keep Rising. The Data Are Getting Worse.

“My biggest concern for this market remains that we get an unexpected economic slowdown because that’s one of the few events that can legitimately cause a material correction in stocks,” writes Sevens Report founder Tom Essaye, noting that his worry ticked up last week due to corporate earnings.

However, Essaye warns, it doesn’t always work so neatly. “Twice in my career I have seen investors cheer a slowdown, and both times the Fed was not able to cut rates at the right time to prevent the slowing from becoming a broader economic contraction,” he wrote. “That doesn’t mean they can’t do it this time, but catching a falling knife doesn’t work in real life, it doesn’t work in stock trading, and I’ve never seen it work in monetary policy.”

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on June 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 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.

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.

Growing Economic Concerns

Growing Economic Concerns: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why I am Getting More Concerned About an Economic Slowdown
  • Weekly Economic Preview – A Critical Week of Data

Futures are higher on momentum from Friday’s late-day rally while news wires were mostly quiet this weekend.

Economically, the Eurozone Manufacturing PMI rose from 45.7 to 47.3 vs. (E) 47.4 in May while the UK’s Manufacturing PMI headline rose from 49.1 to 51.2 vs. (E) 51.3. The as-expected data is having a limited impact on markets, leaving stocks to extend Friday’s rally.

Today, focus will be on the ISM Manufacturing Index (E: 49.8) early with a report on Construction Spending (E: 0.2%) also due out after the open. There are no Fed officials scheduled to speak today which leaves the ISM data the key catalysts of the session. A report that is “too hot” or “too cold” could see volatility pick up while a “Goldilocks” number would likely allow Friday’s relief rally to continue.

Finally, the Treasury will hold 3-Month and 6-Month Bill auctions at 11:30 a.m. ET, and while these auctions don’t typically move markets, we are within 6-months of the first expected rate cuts from the Fed so any surprises could impact yields and in-turn move equities.


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One Emerging Market Winner (Regardless of the Election Outcome)

One Emerging Market Winner: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Politics in Focus: One Emerging Market Winner (Regardless of the President)

Stock futures are moderately lower this morning as the rally in mega-cap tech stocks is taking a breather amid a 10 basis point rise in the 10-Yr yield so far this week.

Economically, regional German CPI figures have come in mixed so far this morning ahead of the official German estimate due to be released at 8:00 a.m. ET while Germany’s GfK Consumer Climate Index rose to -20.9 vs. (E) -24.0.

Today, there is one lesser-followed Fed survey due to be released: The Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index (E: -6.0) but survey data has moved markets recently so if the release is a surprise (hot or cold) it could move markets today.

There are also two Fed speakers on the calendar for this afternoon and evening: Williams (1:45 p.m. ET) and Bostic (7:00 p.m. ET).

However, after yesterday’s Treasury auctions sent yields spiking higher and ultimately weighed heavily on stocks in the afternoon, the Treasury’s 7-Yr Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET will likely be the most important catalyst for markets today. Another soft auction outcome will further pressure stocks while strong demand for the Notes could help stocks stabilize from this pre-market weakness.


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Advisor Considerations of the “T+1” Settlement Change

Advisor Considerations of the “T+1” Settlement Change: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Practice Management Update: Examining the Upcoming Move to T+1 Settlement
  • Long-Term S&P 500 Chart: Greatest Volatility Risk Since January 2022

Futures are flat this morning as economic data was mixed in Europe and global traders await NVDA earnings (tomorrow) to gauge the outlook for AI industry growth.

In Europe, German PPI fell -3.3% vs. (E) -3.1% underscoring that disinflation trends remain underway in the EU while the UK’s CBI Industrial Trends Order Balance dropped -33% vs. (E) -20% adding to global factory sector worries.

Looking into today’s session, there are no economic reports to watch but a handful of Fed speakers on the calendar this morning: Barkin (9:00 a.m. ET), Waller (9:00 a.m. ET), Williams (9:05 a.m. ET), Bostic (9:10 a.m. ET) and Barr (11:45 a.m. ET).

At this point, the higher-for-longer mantra has been absorbed by markets and it would take renewed talk of rate hikes to meaningfully move markets, especially as traders settle in and await tomorrow’s post-bell earnings release from NVDA which is widely viewed as the most important catalyst of this week.


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Short vs. Long Term Market Outlook (Is Falling Inflation & Slowing Growth Good for Stocks?)

Short vs. Long Term Market Outlook: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Short vs. Long Term Market Outlook (Is Falling Inflation & Slowing Growth Good for Stocks?)
  • EIA Update and Oil Market Analysis

Futures are little changed as market digest Wednesday’s new high amidst more dovish global data.

Japanese GDP (-0.5% vs. (E) -0.4%), Aussie Unemployment (4.1% vs. (E) 3.9%) and Italian HICP (their CPI, 0.9% vs. (E) 1.0% y/y) all pointed towards falling inflation and slowing global growth, which investors welcome (for now).

Today is a busy day full of data and Fed speak.  Broadly speaking, if the data/Fed speak is dovish and Treasury yields drop, it’ll extend the rally.

Notable economic data today includes (in order of importance):  Jobless Claims (E: 219K), Philly Fed (E: 7.8), Industrial Production (E: 0.1%) and Housing Starts (E: 1.435MM).

On the Fed, there are numerous speakers including:  Barr (10:00 a.m. ET), Barkin (10:00 a.m. ET), Harker (10:30 a.m. ET), Mester (12:00 p.m. ET), Bostic (3:50 p.m. ET).  But, unless they all start talking about rate hikes (very unlikely), their commentary shouldn’t move markets.


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