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Tom Essaye Warns AI-Fueled S&P 500 Rally Risks Dot-Com Style Downside

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Sevens Report’s Essaye flags downside risks tied to semiconductors

Bank of America Warns S&P 500 Tops Dot-Com Bubble on AI Stock Surge

Bank of America strategists warn that the S&P 500 has surpassed dot-com era valuations, fueled by an AI-driven surge in tech leaders. Industry analysts echo similar concerns, including Tom Essaye of Sevens Report Research, who points to semiconductor indices as a key risk factor.

Essaye cautioned in remarks cited by Business Insider that if economic resilience falters, the sector could drag the broader market lower. His outlook: “considerable downside” in coming quarters, especially if inflation reaccelerates or geopolitical tensions disrupt supply chains.

Adding to the vulnerability, passive investing trends may be amplifying bubbles. With index funds funneling capital into overvalued leaders, market corrections could be sharper when momentum unwinds.

Also, click here to view the full article on Webpronews.com published on August 15th, 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.

AI Market Rally Shows Cracks as Semiconductors Lag S&P 500 – Tom Essaye

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Sevens Report founder warns of late-cycle risks amid slowing economic data

BofA Warns of Dotcom Bubble Vibes in S&P 500 Valuations

Bank of America analysts compared today’s valuations to the late-1990s dotcom bubble, and Sevens Report Research founder Tom Essaye echoed those concerns. He noted that the AI-driven rally may be masking underlying risks, particularly in semiconductors.

“The SOX index isn’t keeping pace with the S&P 500, and that’s a red flag,” Essaye said, pointing out that chip stocks are the backbone of AI innovation. “If semis can’t lead, then it calls into question the sustainability of this rally.”

Essaye also flagged weakening economic indicators, including soft job gains and rising jobless claims, as evidence that the U.S. may be entering a late-cycle phase. Together, those factors increase the risk that today’s market exuberance could mirror past bubbles.

Also, click here to view the full article on Ainvest.com published on August 15th, 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.

Why the Hot PPI Threatens Multiple Pillars of the Rally

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why the Hot PPI Threatens Multiple Pillars of the Rally

Futures are little changed despite soft Chinese economic data and disappointing earnings.

Economically, Chinese data was soft as Fixed Asset Investment, Industrial Production and Retail Sales all missed expectations.

On earnings, Applied Materials (AMAT) gave weak guidance and is down –15% pre-market, weighing on tech.

Today focus will be on economic data and for stocks to rally into the end of the week, we need to see solid reports (and avoid any weak reports that further stagflation anxiety).  The key report today is Retail Sales (E: 0.5%), although Empire State Manufacturing Index (E: 0.5), Industrial Production (E: 0.0%) and Consumer Sentiment (E: 62.1) are all notable as well.  Bottom line, solid growth data and tame inflation expectations in Consumer Sentiment would help stocks finish the week strong.

 

What Happens If AI Loses Momentum?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Happens if AI Loses Momentum?
  • Oil Update and Weekly EIA Takeaways

Futures are little changed following a quiet night of news and as CSCO earnings largely met expectations.

Economically, data was mixed in Europe as UK GDP (0.4% vs. (E) 0.2%) and Industrial Production (0.7% vs. (E) 0.5%) beat estimates while EU GDP met estimates (0.1%) but Industrial Production missed (badly) (-1.3% vs. (E) -0.5%).

Today focus will turn back to economic data and there are two notable reports today: Jobless Claims (E: 230K) and PPI (E: 0.2% m/m, 2.6% y/y).  Of the two, PPI is more important and if it confirms the mostly tame CPI reading from Tuesday, it will further solidify rate cut expectations and support stocks.  There is also one Fed speaker today, Barkin (2:00 p.m. ET), and given recent conflicting commentary from voting members on the FOMC, the tone of each speaker will become more important.

Finally, mid-season earnings continue and some notable reports today include: JD ($0.44), AMAT ($2.34), NTES ($1.85), DE ($4.62), AAP ($0.59), NU ($0.13).

 

What About the Yield Curve?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What About the Yield Curve (Recession Signal “On Hold”)
  • What CPI Means for Markets

Futures are trading at record highs, tracking global shares higher as traders cheer the latest evidence of benign inflation pressures despite the global trade war.

Economically, German CPI was unchanged at 2.0% in July, meeting consensus analyst estimates.

There are no noteworthy economic reports today however there is a 4-Month Treasury Bill auction at 11:30 a.m. ET that could shed light on investor expectations of Fed policy rates between now and year-end which could move markets.

Additionally, there are multiple Fed speakers including Barkin (8:00 a.m. ET), Goolsbee (1:00 p.m. ET), and Bostic (1:30 p.m. ET).

Finally, there are some late season earnings releases to watch: EAT ($2.43), CSCO ($0.80), EQX ($0.02) but none are likely to materially move markets today.

 

Nvidia, AMD Deal with Trump Administration Eases AI Investor Fears: Tom Essaye

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Chip sales to China continue under new revenue-sharing agreement

Nvidia & AMD investors can put China chip tariff risks ‘to bed’

Sevens Report founder Tom Essaye and Allspring Global’s John Campbell discussed reports that Nvidia and AMD reached a deal with the Trump administration to resume selling chips in China, with 15% of the revenue going to the U.S. government.

Essaye said the agreement signals that the companies are “ready to play ball” with policymakers to protect growth in the AI sector. “Eighty-five percent is a lot more than zero,” he noted, calling the resolution a relief for AI-focused investors now that a major uncertainty has been removed.

Also, click here to view the full video featured on Yahoo Finance published on August 11th, 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: AI Market Maturing as Winners Like Palantir Pull Ahead

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Execution separates outperformers from laggards in evolving AI trade

C3.ai stock nosedives on preliminary earnings: Where the AI trade stands

Allspring Global Investments’ John Campbell, Sevens Report founder Tom Essaye, and Yahoo Finance’s Brooke DiPalma discussed the divergence among AI stocks, highlighting Palantir’s strong earnings and raised guidance as a sign of successful execution in the sector.

Essaye noted that while some AI names continue to struggle, companies delivering results are commanding lofty valuations — with Palantir’s forward P/E ratio exceeding 500 — reflecting investor willingness to reward performance in the maturing AI market.

Also, click here to view the full video featured on Yahoo Finance published on August 11th, 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.

Why Today’s CPI Is So Important (Hint: 50, 25, 0)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Today’s CPI Is So Important (Hint: 50, 25, 0)
  • Gold Chart: Fragile Record Highs

Futures are flat as traders look ahead to today’s all-important CPI report.

Economically, the U.K.’s Unemployment Rate held steady at 4.7%, as expected, while the German ZEW Survey missed estimates, but the July NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose to 100.3 vs. (E) 98.9 from 98.6 in June.

Today, market focus will be almost exclusively on inflation data before the bell with CPI (E: 0.2% m/m, 2.8% y/y) and Core CPI (E: 0.3% m/m, 3.0% y/y) due out at 8:30 a.m. ET.

After the open, there are two Fed officials scheduled to speak: Barkin (10:00 a.m. ET) and Schmid (10:30 a.m. ET), and any comments or insights they may offer in reaction to the CPI data could move markets.

Finally, earnings season continues to wind down but there are a handful of companies due to report quarterly results today which could move markets, including: CAH ($2.03), SE ($0.72), RGTI ($-0.05), HRB ($2.81), CRCL ($-1.29), and ETOR ($0.49).

 

Tom Essaye Warns AI-Driven Stock Surge Shows Classic Bubble Traits

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Sevens Report founder sees parallels with past late-cycle manias

US Stocks Drop as Investors Wait on CPI Data to Set Fed’s Path

The current equity rally may be entering bubble territory, according to Sevens Report founder Tom Essaye, who advises some of Wall Street’s largest firms. Essaye points to weakening U.S. economic conditions alongside stretched valuations, with the S&P 500 up 28% since April and 57% since ChatGPT’s debut in November 2022.

In an August 1 client note, Essaye compared today’s AI-fueled rally to past bubbles, such as the internet and real estate booms, where a single narrative drove expectations of “unlimited earnings growth” across sectors. He warns that the AI theme now plays that role, creating risks for advisors managing long-term portfolios.

Also, click here to view the full article featured on The Wealth Advisor published on August 10th, 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

Sevens Report’s Tom Essaye Flags Bubble Risk in AI-Driven Rally

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Semiconductor weakness signals possible cracks in AI trade

AI-Driven Market Rally Raises Bubble Concerns: Strategist Warns of Potential Warning Signs

Tom Essaye of the Sevens Report warns that the AI-fueled stock market rally may be unsustainable, as semiconductor stocks lag the broader market.

While the S&P 500 is up nearly 14% since July 2024, the PHLX Semiconductor Index has barely broken even, raising questions about the rally’s foundation. Essaye also notes slowing U.S. job growth and rising jobless claims, cautioning that bubbles often burst in late economic cycles — with a recession posing a major risk to AI-driven gains.

Also, click here to view the full article published in AInvest.com on August 9th, 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.