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What the January Barometer Says for Markets in 2025

What the January Barometer Says for Markets in 2025: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What the January Barometer Says for Markets in 2025

Futures are slightly lower as markets digest lingering tariff uncertainty and despite better than expected economic data.

The only notable economic report overnight was Euro Zone Flash GDP and it beat estimates, rising 0.1% vs. (E) 0.0%.

On tariffs, the lack of detail and action on reciprocal tariffs was a relief but a “tariff cliff” has formed on or around April 1st and that uncertainty will stay a market headwind.

Tariff headlines should theoretically slow down for the next few weeks given the various trade studies that need to occur before tariff announcements in March/April, so focus will turn back towards data and there are two notable reports today:   Retail Sales (E: -0.1%) and Industrial Production (E: 0.3%).  As has been the case, Goldilocks data that’s at or slightly under expectations remains the best case for stocks as it implies solid growth but won’t make the Fed less dovish.

There is also one Fed speaker today, Logan at 3:00 p.m. ET, but she shouldn’t move markets.


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What Yesterday’s Hot CPI Means for Markets

What Yesterday’s Hot CPI Means for Markets: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Yesterday’s Hot CPI Means for Markets

Futures are little changed following a night of mixed economic data and as markets await more details on reciprocal tariffs.

Investors are waiting to learn which countries and what products will be subject to reciprocal tariffs and until that happens (maybe today or Thursday) that uncertainty will be a market headwind.

Economically, UK and EU data was slightly better than expected (UK GDP and Euro Zone IP both beat estimates).

Obviously tariff news could be market moving if we get any specifics on reciprocal tariffs but beyond that, focus will remain on economic data and due to yesterday’s hot CPI, PPI (E: 0.3% m/m, 3.2% y/y) will be the most important report today.  PPI is viewed as a loose leading indicator for CPI, so if PPI runs “hot” look for another rise in Treasury yields and a headwind on stocks.  The other notable economic report today is Jobless Claims (E: 217K) and markets will want to see more Goldilocks readings (so slightly above expectations).


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MMT Chart: S&P Reaches Technical Tipping Point

MMT Chart: S&P Reaches Technical Tipping Point: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • MMT Chart: Steady Targets Amid Rising Technical Risks
  • Powell Testimony Takeaways – Policy on “Hold” for Now
  • NFIB Shows Fading Optimism Among Small Business Owners

Futures are mixed but little changed and bond yields are flat ahead of today’s critical U.S. CPI release.

Economically, Italian Industrial Production fell -3.1% vs. (E) -0.2% in December which served as a reminder that Europe continues to face significant growth risks.

Traders will be keenly focused on the January CPI (E: 0.3% m/m, 2.9% y/y), and Core CPI (E: 0.3% m/m, 3.2% y/y) release before the bell this morning before focus turns back to Capitol Hill for Powell’s second day of semiannual testimony (10:00 a.m. ET).

A “hot” inflation print is a considerable risk to equities and other risk assets here as hawkish money flows could result in heavy market declines today.

Looking ahead to the afternoon, there is a 10-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET and two additional Fed speakers to watch today: Bostic (12:00 p.m. ET), Waller (5:05 p.m. ET), however CPI and Powell will be the primary market-focus over the course of the session.


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Market Multiple Table: February Update

Market Multiple Table: February Update: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Table (February Update)
  • NY Fed Inflation Expectations

Stock futures are lower and yields are higher after President Trump officially announced 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports late yesterday, reigniting global trade war worries.

Economically, the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell to 102.8 in January from December’s multi-year highs of 105.1. The headline missed estimates of 104.7 and underscored fading post-election optimism among business owners.

There are no other economic reports today, however there is a 3-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET. Soft demand, and subsequently higher yields could further pressure equities this afternoon with tomorrow’s CPI report in focus.

Additionally, market focus will be on Capitol Hill today as Fed Chair Powell is set to begin his semi-annual Congressional Testimony at 10:00 a.m. ET. We will also hear from the Fed’s Hammack (8:30 a.m. ET) and Williams (3:30 p.m. ET) today. A dovish tone, and further confidence in a soft economic landing will be favorable for equity markets today.

Finally, earnings season continues today with reports from SHOP ($0.43) and KO ($0.51) before the bell and SMCI ($0.54) after the close.


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This market needs Goldilocks data to continue to hold up

This market needs Goldilocks data to continue to hold up: Sevens Report Analysts Quoted in Investing.com


Sevens Report jobs preview: The ‘market needs Goldilocks data’

In the latest Sevens Report, analysts highlighted the importance of Friday’s jobs report, stating that “if it’s Goldilocks, it’s going to help support the market amidst all this tariff and policy noise.”

However, if the report is either too strong or too weak, it could introduce further volatility and pressure on stocks.

Sevens Report emphasizes that for markets to remain stable, “this market needs Goldilocks data to continue to hold up.”

Also, click here to view the full article published on February 6th, 2025. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

If 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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Expectation for continued rate cuts this year is an important support

Expectation for continued rate cuts this year is an important support: Tom Essaye Quoted in MarketWatch Featured on Yahoo Finance


Jobs report and Trump’s trade war hold keys to outlook for stocks

The expectation for continued rate cuts this year is an important support for the bull market, Tom Essaye, founder and president at The Sevens Report Research, wrote in a Thursday note.

Also, click here to view the full MarketWatch article featured on Yahoo Finance published on February 3rd, 2025. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

If 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.

Tom Essaye Interviewed On Schwab Network

Tom Essaye Interviewed On Schwab Network


A.I. Enterprise Monetization in Focus, AAPL’s ‘Upside Surprise’

A.I. companies were the name of the markets in 2024, now Tom Essaye says they need to prove they can make money.

Also, click here to view the full interview with Schwab Network published on February 3rd, 2025. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

If 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.

Can Stocks Rally in the Face of Tariff Threats?

Can Stocks Rally in the Face of Tariff Threats?: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Can Stocks Rally in the Face of Tariff Threats?
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Do Fed Rate Cut Expectations Change This Week?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  CPI on Wednesday is the Key Report

Futures are modestly higher despite more tariff threats as markets bounce following Friday’s decline.

President Trump announced he was imposing 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and will apply “reciprocal” tariffs on numerous countries later this week.

Markets are shrugging off the announcements so far, however, because they again lack specific details.

Economically, there were no notable reports overnight.

Today focus will be on the New York Fed 1-Year Consumer Inflation Expectations (E: 3.0%), which is a bit atypical.  On Friday, one year inflation expectations jumped but it was because of tariff concerns and as such, it’s not going to impact the Fed.  However, if we see another jump in inflation expectations this morning, that may be taken as a mildly hawkish signal and boost yields and pressure stocks.


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Jobs Day

Jobs Day: Why A Goldilocks Report Matters For This Market: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Abbreviated Jobs Report Preview

Futures are little changed ahead of the jobs report and following a mostly quiet night of news.

Economically, the only notable report was German Industrial Production which missed estimates (-2.4% vs. (E) -1.0%).

On trade, the world is still waiting for a Trump/Xi call before retaliatory Chinese tariffs are applied on the 10th.

Today focus will be on the jobs report and expectations are as follows: 158K Job-Adds, 4.1% Unemployment Rate, 3.8% y/y Wage Growth.  Again, a Goldilocks number that’s modestly below expectations on job adds would be the best case scenario, while a very strong number would boost yields and pressure stocks.

Outside of the jobs report we also get Consumer Sentiment (E: 72.0) and there are two Fed speakers, Bowman (9:25 a.m. ET) and Kugler (12:00 p.m. ET), but they shouldn’t move the market.


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Jobs Report Preview: Why A Goldilocks Report Matters For This Market

Jobs Report Preview: Why A Goldilocks Report Matters For This Market: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Report Preview:  Why A Goldilocks Report Matters For This Market

Futures are little changed as markets await the next round of news on tariffs while economic data was mixed.

Economically, Euro Zone Retail Sales missed estimates (-0.2% vs. (E) 0.0%) underscoring still tepid EU growth.

On trade, a call between Trump and Xi still hasn’t happened but most expect tariffs to be reduced when it does.

Today will be a busy day in the markets, starting with a major central bank decision as the Bank of England is expected to cut rates 25 bps.

Economically, there are two notable reports today including Jobless Claims (E: 215K) and Unit Labor Costs (E: 3.3%) and as we’ve seen the last two days, slight misses vs. expectations will be positives for stocks and bonds.  On the Fed front, there are two speakers today but they won’t move markets as they both speak after the close (Logan at 5:10 p.m. ET and Waller at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Finally, on earnings, the key report today is AMZN ($1.52) after the bell.


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