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Over the past two weeks, we’ve seen deterioration on multiple fronts

Over the past two weeks, we’ve seen deterioration on multiple fronts: Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s


Nasdaq Off Lows as Bond Yields Pull Back

Sevens Report Research’s Tom Essaye told Barron’s in a phone interview that markets had a rosy outlook two weeks ago as traders bet on solid growth, stable yields, and hopes of near-term rate cuts.

“Over the past two weeks, we’ve seen deterioration on multiple fronts,” Essaye says. “Yields are now much higher, the Fed is not going to cut nearly as much as expected, and geopolitical risks are now bubbling up again.”

Essaye believes higher yields and worries that the Federal Reserve will turn to fewer rate cuts than expected has been the biggest problem for markets.

“The market was extremely aggressive on valuation, and central to that valuation is the idea of Fed rate cuts and lowered yields,” Essaye says. “Because that has been removed, the valuation for markets must come down. And that’s exactly what’s happening.”

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on April 16th, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

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The Rally Is Broadening

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • The Rally Is Broadening
  • SPY vs. RSP Comparison – Bar Chart

Equity futures are higher this morning as traders position into a fairly busy morning of U.S. economic data while Chinese authorities intervened in the currency market to support the yuan which is helping general investor sentiment.

Economically, the German GfK Consumer Climate index was slightly better than feared at -27.4 vs. (E) -27.9 but the release is not materially impacting markets this morning.

Today, focus will be on economic data early with several key reports due to be released including: Durable Goods Orders (E: 1.3%), Case-Shiller Home Price Index (E: 0.2%), and Consumer Confidence (E: 106.7).

There are no Fed officials scheduled to speak today but there is a 5-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET. With the elevated level of market anxiety surrounding Friday’s Core PCE release (when markets will be closed) any surprises via strong or weak demand in the auction could move yields and impact equities.


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Market Multiple Table: March Update

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Table – March Update
  • CPI Takeaways – Minimal Impact on Fed Rate Expectations

U.S. equity futures are flat as investors digest yesterday’s tech-led rally to fresh record highs in the S&P 500.

Overseas, Chinese developer Country Garden Holdings missed a yuan-denominated bond payment overnight which weighed on Asian markets.

Economically, U.K. monthly GDP and Industrial Production both largely met estimates, but Eurozone Industrial Production badly missed, falling -6.7% vs. (E) -2.7% in January.

Looking into today’s session, there are no economic reports or Fed speakers on the calendar which will leave traders focused on AI-focused names to see if the tech sector can lead stocks to new highs.

The one notable catalyst on the schedule today is a 30-Yr Treasury Bond auction at 1:00 p.m. ET. A weak outcome could send yields higher which would act as a renewed headwind on stocks while a pullback in yields would be welcomed.


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Fed Meeting Preview

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why the Treasury Refunding Estimate Moved Markets
  • FOMC Meeting Preview

U.S. futures are slightly lower as yesterday’s late session rally is digested ahead of the Fed and key earnings reports.

Economically, Australian Retail Sales data from December missed (-2.7% vs. E: -0.6%) but the EU GDP Flash was slightly better than feared at 0.1% vs. (E) 0.0% Y/Y in Q4.

Today there are multiple economic reports beginning with housing market statistics ahead of the open: Case-Shiller Home Price Index (E: 0.4%) and FHFA House Price Index (E: 0.3%). Some moderation in home prices would be welcomed ahead of the Fed today.

After the open, two more closely followed releases on the health of the consumer: Consumer Confidence (E: 112.5) and state of the labor market: JOLTS (E: 8.70 million) will be released. With the FOMC meeting beginning today and some mega-cap tech names reporting earnings after the close, it will take a big surprise in the data to materially move markets this morning.

Regarding earnings, we have entered the peak of the reporting season with several notables reporting this morning: GM ($1.08), UPS ($2.44), and SYY ($0.88) while some of the biggest tech names, MSFT ($2.76) and GOOGL ($1.60) will report after the close. AMD ($0.77), and SBUX ($0.93) are two other notable releases to watch.


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What Earnings Are Saying

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Earnings Are Saying About Current Economic Growth

Futures are modestly lower following a night of underwhelming earnings results.

INTC (stock down 10% premarket) gave soft guidance while V and TMUS (stocks down –3% each) posted underwhelming results.

Economically, German GfK Consumer Climate missed expectations (-29.7 vs. (E) -24.5) but that’s not moving markets.

Today focus will be on the Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.2% M/M, 3.0% Y/Y) and this number needs to meet or be lower than expectations to help support the stock rally.  If Core PCE prints solidly above expectations look for higher yields and lower stock prices.  The other notable economic number today is Pending Home Sales (E: 1.3%) but that shouldn’t move markets.

On the earnings front, the key report today is AXP ($2.65) and specifically we’ll be watching for is their commentary on consumer spending (the more positive, the better for markets).  Other notable earnings include CL ($0.85) and NSC ($2.90).


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The Reason Stocks & Bonds Are Declining (You’ve Seen It Before)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • The Reason Stocks & Bonds Are Declining (You’ve Seen It Before)

Futures are bouncing modestly following solid earnings and positive corporate news overnight.

Earnings overnight were decent as TSMC beat expectations while Bank of American upgraded AAPL.

Economically, however, the Aussie jobs report was soft (- 66k vs. (E) 15k) and that’s increasing global growth worries.

Today focus will stay on economic data as we get two important report, Jobless Claims (E: 206K) and Philly Fed Manufacturing Index (E: -6.7).  The Philly index will be especially watched following the implosion of the Empire Manufacturing survey on Tuesday and if we see a similar number this morning, look for some hard landing concerns to drift higher.

Away from those two reports we also get Housing Starts (1.425 million) and there is one Fed speaker, Bostic (7:30 a.m. and 12:05 p.m. ET), but they are unlikely to move markets.

On earnings, results really ramp up next week but some reports we’re watching today include: TSM ($1.37), PPG ($1.50), JBHT ($1.74).


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Sentiment Update

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Sentiment Update
  • Empire State Manufacturing Index Falls to Pandemic Lows

U.S. futures are tracking global shares lower as the ECB’s Lagarde became the latest to push back on overly dovish policy expectations. While Chinese economic data showed consumer weakness (but industrial strength) and inflation reaccelerated in Europe. This is adding to the recent trend of less-dovish/more-hawkish money flows.

Toay is lining up to be a busy session as there are a slew of economic reports due this morning. Including: Retail Sales (E: 0.4%), Import & Export Prices (E: -0.6%, -0.6%), Industrial Production (E: -0.1%), and the Housing Market Index (E: 38).

There are also several Fed officials scheduled to speak over the course of the session: Barr, Bowman, and Williams.

Earnings will also continue to come in today with several more notable financial companies reporting: SCHW ($0.65), CFG ($0.60), and DFS ($2.50).

Bottom line, trading has taken a more cautious tone this week with heavier price action in stocks. In order for that to ease and risk appetites return to the market today, we will need to see data that is consistent with a still healthy and resilient consumer but not to the point where the Fed would be inclined to delay rate cuts or cut less in 2024. Investors will look for less-hawkish Fed commentary and stable earnings as well. If those developments do not occur the risk of an acceleration lower in stocks this week will rise meaningfully.


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Does March vs. May Really Matter?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Does March vs. May Really Matter?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet – Retail Sales Data in Focus

U.S. futures are tracking European shares lower this morning. This is amid rising bond yields and a stronger dollar following some hawkish central banker commentary this weekend.

Economically, the German ZEW’s Economic Sentiment rose to 15.2 vs. (E) 11.7 in January. Both eased recession concerns but also weighed on the prospects for imminent Fed and ECB rate cuts in the coming months.

This weekend, several ECB officials pushed back on expectations for rate cuts in H1’24. This is resulting in more of the late 2023 dovish money flows being unwound.

Looking into today’s session, there is one economic report to watch: Empire State Manufacturing Index (E: -4.0) and one Fed official scheduled to speak: Waller (11:00 a.m. ET).

Earnings season also continues to pick up with several big banks due to report today: GS ($3.47), MS ($1.07), PNC ($2.99), IBKR ($1.54).

Bottom line, investors will be looking for more Goldilocks economic data in the NY Fed release and a less-hawkish tone from Waller and no bad news out of the banks reporting earnings today in order to stabilize. Otherwise the premarket weakness is likely to continue into the primary session this morning.


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2024 Technical Outlook: Key Levels to Watch in Q1

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • 2024 Technical Outlook:  Key Levels to Watch in 2024
  • Jobs Day

Futures are modestly lower following more evidence of a bounce back in inflation in the EU and ahead of today’s jobs report.

The EU December HICP (their CPI) rose less than expected (2.9% vs. 3.0% y/y) but still increased from the 2.4% Nov. reading and that’s further reducing ECB rate cut expectations and weighing on global markets.

Today focus will be on economic data and there are two potentially market moving reports:  The jobs report and the ISM Services PMI.

Regarding the jobs report, expectations are as follows:  Job Adds: 158K, UE Rate: 3.8%,  Avg Hourly Earnings: 0.3% m/m, 3.9% y/y.  The key here is moderation in the data and a job adds number above 200k or Avg. Hourly Earnings much above 4.0% will further push back on rate cut expectations and likely weigh on stocks.

Looking at the ISM Services PMI (E: 52.7), the key here is that the number stays solidly above 50 (which it should).  A drop below 50 will increase slowdown worries (and weigh on stocks).  Finally, there is one Fed speaker today, Barkin at 1:30 p.m. ET, but he shouldn’t move markets.

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Market Multiple Table: December Update

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Table – December Update (Unbranded Copy Available)
  • Chart – 10-Yr Yield Violates Long-Term Uptrend, 2023 Lows in Focus

Stock futures are slightly higher and bond yields are falling modestly this morning. This is as traders digest a dovish BOJ decision and largely in-line Eurozone inflation report.

The Bank of Japan left their benchmark policy rate unchanged at -0.10%. With no hint of a January rate hike sending the yen down >1% and the Nikkei up nearly 1.5% overnight.

Economically, the Eurozone HICP Narrow-Core inflation rate favorably fell from 4.2% to 3.6% last month, meeting estimates.

Looking at today’s potential market catalysts, there is one economic report to watch: Housing Starts (E: 1.360 million), and two Fed officials are to speak: Bostic (12:30 p.m. ET) and Goolsbee (6:00 p.m. ET).

Lastly, as long as the housing market data is not a big shock, the release shouldn’t move markets this morning while Bostic’s comments will be closely watched to see if he joins Daly and others from the Fed in acknowledging concerns about the labor market (which would add a dovish tailwind).

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