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The State of Inflation (CPI Preview and Inflation Expectations Update)

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • The State of Inflation:  CPI Preview and Inflation Expectations Update
  • EIA Data and Oil Market Analysis (How High Can The Rally Go?)

Futures are modestly higher as markets bounce back from Wednesday’s declines following mixed news from China.

Positively, Chinese authorities may allow ANT Group to IPO, which is another sign China is easing pressure on tech companies. Additionally, Chinese exports handily beat estimates (16.9% vs. (E) 8.0%).

Negatively, Shanghai and Beijing reimposed some COVID restrictions, showing “Zero COVID” remains in effect.

Today focus will be on the ECB Rate Decision, and while no rate hike is expected, President Lagarde is expected to hint that a rate hike is coming in July and another rate hike is coming later this year (if it’s more hawkish than that, that will be a headwind on global stocks).  We also get Jobless Claims (E: 210K) but that shouldn’t move markets.

Jobs Day

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Day
  • Why the ADP Report Helped Stocks Rally

Futures are slightly lower following a generally quiet night of news as markets look ahead to today’s jobs report.

Economic data from Europe underwhelmed as Euro Zone Services PMI declined to 56.1 vs. (E) 56.3 while Euro-Zone Retail Sales missed estimates, falling –1.3% vs. (E) 0.4%.

Elon Musk made cautious comments saying he had a “super bad” feeling about the economy in a Reuters interview.

Today’s focus will be on the Jobs Report and expectations are as follows: Job Adds (E: 325k), UE Rate (E: 3.5%), Wages (E: 0.4% m/m & 5.3% y/y).  As long as data shows “moderation” in the labor market (so a positive number but in the lower part of the range) then stocks can extend Thursday’s rally.  Other data today includes  ISM Services PMI: 56.3, and we get one Fed speaker:  Brainard (10:30 a.m. ET).

Three Keys to a Bottom Update

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Three Keys to a Bottom: Update
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet: Are Growth and Inflation Both Peaking?
  • Weekly Market Preview: Jobs Data in Focus

Stock futures are moderately lower this morning, tracking losses in EU shares amid renewed inflation concerns.

German CPI jumped to 7.9% vs. (E) 7.5% and the Eurozone HICP Flash rose to 8.1% vs. (E) 7.7% in May. Additionally, the EU agreed to a partial ban on Russian energy imports which has sent oil to multi-month highs, compounding inflation fears this morning.

Looking into today’s session, there are three economic reports due to be released: Case-Shiller Home Price Index (E: 2.2%), FHFA HPI (E: 1.9%), and Consumer Confidence (E: 104.0). Investors will want to see the latter report at least meet estimates as the health of the U.S. consumer has become less certain in the face of lofty inflation pressures.

Finally, there are no Fed officials speaking today but Powell is set to meet with Biden at the White House at 1:15 p.m. ET. And following Waller’s more hawkish comments about suggesting 50 bp hikes until inflation is back at 2% from yesterday, any insight to the Fed’s policy plans after the summer rate hikes, which are solidly priced in, will move markets (more aggressive policy expectations could hit stocks today).

Bullish If/Bearish If Scenarios

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Bottom Line:  Bullish If/Bearish If Scenarios
  • Weekly Market Preview:  More Earnings and Growth Data This Week
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Is Growth Rolling Over?

Futures are moderately higher mostly on momentum from Friday’s rebound following a generally quiet weekend.

COVID news from China remains mixed as Shanghai continues to relax lockdowns although Beijing is seeing a continued increase in cases (keeping the threat of more lockdowns alive).

The dollar is down one percent after ECB President Lagarde signaled two rate hikes were likely in the 3rd quarter (this was a bit more hawkish than expected).

Today there are no notable economic reports and just one Fed speaker, Bostic (12:00 p.m. ET).  If Bostic echoes Bullard’s slightly less hawkish than feared commentary from Friday afternoon, then stocks can extend Friday’s rebound.

Why Are the VIX and S&P 500 Possibly Diverging?

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Are the VIX and S&P 500 Possibly Diverging?
  • Is Selling Becoming Mechanical?
  • CPI Takeaways (It Won’t Make the Fed More Hawkish)

Futures are moderately lower mostly on momentum from Wednesday’s afternoon selloff.

Economically, UK economic data disappointed (GDP and Industrial Production both missed estimates) while BOE officials warned of more rate hikes reminding markets there’s a real stagflation threat in the UK.

Geo-politically, Finland formally applied to join NATO (and Sweden is expected to follow), keeping NATO/Russia tensions high for the foreseeable future (meaning quarters and years).

Today, we get Jobless Claims (E: 190K) and PPI (0.5% m/m, 10.7% y/y) and one Fed speaker, Daly (4:00 p.m. ET), but barring a big spike in claims, a big move in PPI or incrementally hawkish commentary from Daly (all of which are unlikely) these events won’t move markets.  So, short-term technical will continue to be the main driver of stocks, and markets need to show some stabilization, otherwise, the declines themselves will invite more selling.

Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s on May 5th, 2022

The Dow Lost More Than 1,000 Points as Wednesday Gain Vanishes

China’s PMI this morning was horrific, that underscores that the Chinese economy is a huge drag on global growth right now. It’s a risk to keep inflation high…said Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research. Click here to read the full article.

Tom Essaye Quoted in The Madison Leader Gazette on May 5, 2022

Stock Market Today: Dow Slides, Shopify Tumbles, NIO Slumps

We shouldn’t have gone up 2% yesterday on the news…said Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research. Click here to read the full article.

Is the Outlook Really This Bad?

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is the Outlook Really This Bad?
  • Weekly Market Preview:  FOMC Decision Wednesday (Will It Be More Hawkish Than Feared?)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  A Busy and Important Week (ISM Manufacturing PMI today, FOMC Decision Wednesday, Jobs Report Friday)

Futures are enjoying a modest oversold bounce following Friday’s selloff, but there was no improvement over the weekend on the three headwinds pressuring stocks:  Chinese growth worries, Ukraine war and hawkish Fed.

Economic data was mixed as the April Chinese manufacturing PMI dropped further (to 47.4 from 49.5) while the EU PMI slightly beat estimates (55.5 vs. (E) 55.3) and German Retail Sales underwhelmed (-0.1% vs. (E) 0.3%).

Today focus will be on the ISM Manufacturing PMI (E: 58.0) and markets need to see a solid number to push back on stagflation concerns.  If we get a weak number, expect the selling to resume and stagflation fears to grow.

Earnings season will begin to wind down this week but there are still some important results coming and some we’re watching today include:  NXPI ($3,17), CAR ($3.54) and MGM ($-0.09).

Yield Curve Update

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Yield Curve Update (Are Recession Risks Rising?)
  • Why European Energy Companies Buying Gas in Rubles Matters to Stocks
  • Q1 GDP – Not as Bad as It Looks

Futures are moderately lower following underwhelming earnings and guidance from AMZN and AAPL.

AMZN results underwhelmed the street (especially margins) while APPL beat earnings but had cautious guidance for Q2 based on supply chain issues.

Economically, inflation pressures remained high as core EU HICP (their CPI) rose 3.5% yoy vs. (E) 3.1%.

Today focus will be on inflation as we get two important readings: Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.3%, 5.3%) and the Employment Cost Index (E: 1.1%).  Markets will want to see the actual numbers miss estimates, and in doing so further hint at a peak of inflation.  If the opposite happens (the numbers are hotter than estimates) that will further pressure stocks.  We also get Consumer Sentiment (E: 65.6) and the Inflation Expectations sub-index will be watched closely.

On the earnings front, some important results today include:  XOM ( $2.25), CVX ($3.44), CL ($0.74).

Tom Essaye Interviewed on Fox Business on April 27, 2022

Sevens Report Research reveals what makes the sell-off stop

Sevens Report Research founder Tom Essaye discusses if the market has hit its lows of the year or if there is still more to come on Fox Business’s “The Claman Countdown.” Click here to watch the interview.