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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. 

Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s on June 5th, 2023

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Global Stocks Drift Higher Amid PMI Data

“Economically, global service PMIs were mixed as the euro zone service PMI missed expectations, while the U.K. and Chinese service PMIs were in-line,” noted Tom Essaye, the founder of Sevens Report Research. Click here to read the full article.

Why Negative News (Still) Isn’t Making Stocks Drop

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Negative News (Still) Isn’t Making Stocks Drop
  • Weekly Market Preview:  More Insights into Hard vs. Soft Landing This Week
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Retail Sales (Tues) the Key Report This Week

Futures are modestly higher following reports of progress on the debt ceiling negotiations over the weekend.

Another debt ceiling meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at the White House and major officials (including Biden and Yellen) stated progress was made in negotiations over the weekend, although a deal still isn’t likely this week.

Economically, Euro Zone IP slightly missed estimates.

Today there’s only one notable economic report, the May Empire Manufacturing Index (E: -3.70), and markets will want to see stability in the data to further hint towards a soft landing.

Looking at the Fed, there are numerous speakers today including Bostic (8:45 a.m. ET), Kashkari (9:15 a.m. ET), Barkin (12:30 p.m. ET) and Cook (5:00 p.m. ET) and while their comments may have a hawkish tone, the market firmly believes the Fed has paused on rate hikes and it’ll take Powell disavowing that notion for investors to reconsider.

Finally, debt ceiling headlines will likely continue, and don’t be shocked if there’s some pushback on the “progress” narrative from the weekend as the political gamesmanship kicks into high gear, with just over two weeks till the “X” date.

Why Did Banks Drop Yesterday?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Did Banks Drop Yesterday?
  • Technical Update: Two S&P 500 Charts to Watch

Futures are slightly higher despite more pain in regional bank shares in the pre-market and soft tech earnings from late yesterday as focus shifts to today’s Fed decision.

AMD is down 7%+ after a disappointing sales forecast late yesterday while shares of PACW and WAL (which fell sharply yesterday and weighed on the broader banking complex) are both down 7% to 12% in pre-market trade this morning.

Economically, Australian Retail Sales were better than expected while the Eurozone Unemployment Rate dipped which saw bond yields move off the overnight lows.

Looking into today’s session there are two important economic reports to watch as they could alter Fed policy expectations depending on how they come in. The ADP Employment Report (E: 143K) is due out before the bell while the ISM Services Index (E: 51.7) will be released at the top of the 10:00 a.m. hour ET.

From there focus will turn to the Fed with the FOMC Decision at 2:00 p.m. ET (E: +25 bp) and Fed Chair Powell’s press conference at 2:30 p.m. ET. How the Fed handles forward guidance in the statement and any insights Powell provides in the presser will be the key factors in determining whether stocks extend yesterday’s declines or stabilize and recover to test the YTD highs.

 

Sevens Report Technicals – A New Timely Report Dedicated to Technical Analysis

Response to our announcement of Sevens Report Technicals was tremendous yesterday, and we are very excited to produce the first issue this coming Monday (May 8th) and deliver compelling value!

Sevens Report Technicals will be similar in appearance to last week’s special technical report, which you can view here.

During this launch phase we continue to offer an additional month free on any quarterly (savings of $75 dollars) or annual (savings of $150 dollars) subscription.

With a one month “Grace Period” during which you can receive a full refund for any reason, you take no risk trying Sevens Report Technicals to see if it’s a complement to your business or investment process.

To start your risk-free trial subscription, please send an email to info@sevensreport.com. To learn more about Sevens Report Technicals, click this link.

Market Multiple Table: April Update

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Table: April Update
  • S&P 500 Chart – Cautious Trade Ahead of Today’s CPI Report

Equity futures are slightly higher while the policy-sensitive 2-Yr Treasury yield is pushing further beyond 4% in pre-market trade as focus is exclusively on today’s CPI report.

Economically, Japanese PPI came in at 0.0% vs. (E) 0.1% which is adding a slight tailwind to risk assets this morning.

Looking into today’s session, all eyes will be on inflation data ahead of the open: CPI (E: 0.3% m/m, 5.2% y/y), Core CPI (E: 0.4% m/m, 5.6% y/y).

From there, focus will shift to the Fed as Barkin speaks ahead of the bell (9:10 a.m. ET) and Daly speaks mid-day (12:00 p.m. ET), before the latest FOMC meeting minutes will be released at 2:00 p.m. ET. Any hawkish commentary or verbiage within the minutes will likely weigh on stocks and push yields higher.

Bottom line, the CPI data will be the main catalyst today and to recap yesterday’s “CPI Preview” the “good scenario” is a headline below 5.2% with Core below 5.5%, the “bad scenario” is a headline between 5.2% and 6.0% with Core at 5.6%, and the “ugly scenario” is a headline above 6.0% with Core above 5.6%.

CPI Preview: Good, Bad, & Ugly

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • CPI Preview: Good, Bad, & Ugly
  • WTI Crude Oil Chart – Futures Pinned In Tight Range at $80/bbl

Stock futures are rising in sympathy with overseas markets on the back of dovish commentary by new BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda and favorable economic data overnight that is easing “hard landing” worries.

Economically, Chinese CPI rose just 0.7% vs. (E) 1.1% and PPI dropped -2.5% vs. (E) -2.3% while Eurozone Retail Sales fell -3.0% vs. (E) -3.5%. In the U.S., the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index came in at 90.1 vs. (E) 89.0. The mostly better than expected data is helping rekindle hopes that a soft landing may be achieved.

There are no other notable economic reports today which will leave focus on a 10-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET and the sole Fed speaker today: Goolsbee (1:30 p.m. ET) as traders are largely looking ahead to tomorrow’s CPI report.

Tom Essaye Quoted in Forbes on April 7th, 2023

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Labor Market Adds 236,000 Jobs In March—Lowest Since 2020—As Economists Worry Recession May Be ‘Underway Now’

The revisions fueled recession concerns that intensified this week, with “every major data point”—including jobless claims, manufacturing activity and construction spending—signaling the economy is slowing down and pushing some experts to worry it may be slowing down too quickly, says Sevens Report founder Tom Essaye. Click here to read the full article.

Jobs Report Preview (Two Sided Risks)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Report Preview:  Two Sided Risks
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Update
  • Why Yesterday’s Service PMI was a Negative for Markets

Futures are little changed following a mostly quiet night of news as markets digest this week’s underwhelming economic data ahead of the jobs report and long weekend.

Economic data overnight was better than expected as the Chinese Composite PMI beat estimates (57.8 vs. (E) 55.0) as did German Industrial Production (2.0% vs. (E) 0.0%).

Regional banks remained stable overnight following WAL’s update on deposit statistics yesterday.

Today focus will be on Jobless Claims (E: 201K) and a speech by Fed president Bullard (10:00 a.m. ET).  Investors will want to see claims move higher, above 200k, to signal some moderation in the labor market, while we can expect Bullard to be hawkish, although keep in mind he does not represent the consensus at the FOMC (and as such his comments shouldn’t move markets, unless they’re a dovish surprise).

Tom Essaye Quoted in Forbes on April 3rd, 2023

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Surprise Oil Production Cuts Risk ‘Exacerbating’ Inflation Pressures And Harsher Fed Policy, Experts Warn

The surprise announcement also suggests OPEC+ may be getting more cautious about its outlook for global oil demand given the elevated threat of a potentially deep recession looming, says Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research. Click here to read the full article.

Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s on March 29th, 2023

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Markets Pop as Banking Fears Ease, Tech Stocks Rally

“The UBS move is easing some of the angst surrounding the recent turmoil in the banking sector,” wrote Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research. Click here to read the full article.