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This Relentless Rally Has Gone Far Beyond

This Relentless Rally Has Gone Far Beyond: Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s


The Stock Market Hasn’t Been This Hot in Decades. Is the Rally Justified?

“If we look at the facts, I cannot help but feel as though this relentless rally has gone far beyond either actual improvement in the fundamentals and reasonable expectations of continued improvement,” writes Sevens Report Founder and President Tom Essaye.

As Essaye points out, a price-to-earnings ratio around that level was “previously only reserved for periods of quantitative easing and 0% rates, not quantitative tightening and 5.37% fed funds.”

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on February 27th, 2024. 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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What’s Changed Since October (And Is It Worth A 25% Rally?)

What’s Changed Since October: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What’s Changed Since October (And Is It Worth A 25% Rally?)
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Can Data and News Stay Platinumlocks?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  An Important Week for Inflation.

Futures are little changed following a generally quiet weekend of news.

Geopolitically, news was mixed over the weekend.  Positively, progress was made in negotiating a Israel/Hamas cease fire and there is hope an agreement can be reached this week.  Negatively, chances of a U.S. government shutdown on March 1st (this Friday) are rising.

There were no notable economic reports overnight.

This will be a busy week of important economic data, earnings and political news (possible government shutdown on Friday) but it starts slowly as the only notable economic report today is New Home Sales (E: 685k) and there is just one Fed speaker, Schmid at 7:40 p.m. ET.  So, focus will remain on the political headlines today and if shutdown chances increase, look for mild pressure on stocks.


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What Blowout NVDA Earnings Mean for Markets

What Blowout NVDA Earnings Mean for Markets: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Blowout NVDA Earnings Mean for Markets

Futures are sharply higher thanks to stronger than expected NVDA earnings (stock up 14% pre-market) as Nasdaq futures surge by more than 2%.

NVDA results beat on revenue, earnings and guidance and global markets are higher on renewed AI enthusiasm.

Economically, EU and UK flash PMIs were very slightly better than expected but aren’t moving markets.

Today focus will shift back to economic data and the notable reports today are Jobless Claims (E: 216K), February Flash PMIs (E: 51.4) and Existing Home Sales (E: 3.98 M).  The more Goldilocks the data, the better for markets and the key remains Treasury yields.  If yields rise in response to the data, look for a headwind on stocks to push back on the NVDA led rally.

There are also multiple Fed speakers today including Jefferson, Harker, Kashkari, Cook & Waller but barring a major surprise, they shouldn’t move markets (Fed messaging has been very consistent lately:  Inflation is receding, but they need more proof before cutting rates which means a June cut is most likely at this point).


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Hedging Up Ahead Of The Results

Hedging Up Ahead Of The Results: Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s


Nvidia Weighs on Tech Stocks Ahead of Earnings

“I think what you’re seeing is just some hedging up ahead of the results,” Sevens Report Research’s Tom Essaye told Barron’s in a phone interview. “I think that’s part of it. The other part of it is you’re still seeing some follow through from Friday selling, too, as people are getting, not nervous about a rebound in inflation, but a little less sure that inflation is just going to keep going straight down in a line.”

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on February 20th, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

It’ll be Very Hard for This Market to Rally

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.

How the Magnificent Seven and the Kansas City Chiefs Are Similar

How the Magnificent Seven and the Kansas City Chiefs Are Similar (Bubble Watch): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • How the Magnificent Seven and the Kansas City Chiefs Are Similar (Bubble Watch)
  • Chart: Visualizing Historical P/E Ratios for the Magnificent Seven

Futures are mildly lower as traders look ahead to the Fed minutes release this afternoon and NVDA earnings after the close.

Overseas, Chinese stocks rallied to turn positive YTD after authorities expanded measures aimed at stabilizing the markets while Australian wage growth rose 4.2.% vs. 4.1% y/y prompting some modestly hawkish money flows.

There are no notable economic reports today, but the January Fed meeting minutes will be released at 2:00 p.m. ET and that could move Treasury yields and ultimately impact stocks.

Additionally, there are two Fed speakers today: Bostic (8:00 a.m. ET) and Bowman (1:00 p.m. ET), as well as a 20-Yr Treasury Bond auction (1:00 p.m. ET). Any of those events could also move yields and influence equity trading intraday, but the main event today is NVDA earnings (E: $4.55/share) and markets will likely maintain a positioning tone into the quarterly report after the bell.


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Why Didn’t Hot Inflation Data Cause a Bigger Drop?

Why Didn’t Hot Inflation Data Cause a Bigger Drop? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Didn’t the Hot Inflation Data Cause a Bigger Drop?
  • Economic Takeaways – Are Stagflation Risks Rising?

Stock futures are lower to start the week as a rate cut by China’s central bank failed to bolster investors’ appetite for risk overseas while domestic focus shifts to NVDA earnings.

The PBOC slashed the 5-Yr Loan Prime Rate by a record 25 bp overnight (E: -5 bp) but the rate cut failed to ease lingering concerns about the health of the property market and markets are trading with a moderate risk-off tone this morning.

Looking into today’s session, there are two economic reports to watch: Leading Economic Indicators (E: -0.1%) which has been flashing a recession signal for months, and Canadian CPI (E: 0.4%) which could further stoke inflation worries if the number comes in hot.

There are no Fed officials scheduled to speak today, however the Treasury will hold 3-Month and 6-Month Bill auctions at 11:30 a.m. ET and a 52-Week Bill action at 1:00 p.m. ET. Based on the market’s increased sensitivity to rising bond yields in recent weeks, signs of weak demand in the auction could send yields to new highs which would act as a strengthening headwind on risk assets as we start the week.


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The Market Had Gotten Ahead Of Itself

The Market Had Gotten Ahead Of Itself: Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s


Stocks Drop as Market Dials Back Fed Rate-Cut Expectations After CPI Data

Sevens Report Research’s Tom Essaye told Barron’s in a phone interview that while the report didn’t imply that inflation was bouncing back significantly, the market had gotten ahead of itself by pricing in inflation crashing to the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.

“I think this is more symptomatic of a market that’s frankly, gotten ahead of itself on what it expects to happen,” Essaye says. “And we’re having that expectation dialed back now.”

“It’s just one report, but I think it is a little bit of a reminder, and an important one, that what has really fueled this rally since October has been the assumption of Fed rate cuts and falling inflation,” Essaye says. “And while that likely will happen later this year, it may not happen as soon as they expected. And I think that’s what we’re seeing in markets.”

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on February 13th, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

It’ll be Very Hard for This Market to Rally

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.

The Burden Of Proof Lies Squarely With The Bears

Futures Are Slightly Higher: Sevens Report Quoted in Investing.com


Despite the S&P 500 rally, there are a number of risks emerging – Sevens Report

The burden of proof lies squarely with the bears and so far, the economic data and Fed speak hasn’t done enough to disprove any of those four bullish factors,” wrote the firm.

However, Sevens Research said the reality is there are still a number of risks emerging that need to be watched, and amidst 5k euphoria, they think that needs to be pointed out.

“Yes, data has pointed to a sweet spot for growth, inflation and the Fed. But that won’t last forever and there will be bad news for this market, there always is,” they added.

The firm notes that the risks that have quietly grown in the background during the rally are the chances of rate cut disappointment, the growing list of layoffs, commercial real estate, and valuations.

“Bottom line, it’s important to acknowledge that this rally has been driven by actual good news and bullish expectations being reinforced by actual data. At the same time, the risks that kept investors worried in October (and even throughout 2023) haven’t been vanquished—they simply haven’t shown up, yet,” concluded Sevens.

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on February 13th, 2024. 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.

What is the “Short Vol” Trade and How Is It Impacting Markets?

What is the “Short Vol” Trade? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What is the “Short Vol” Trade and How Is It Impacting Markets?
  • An Important Trading Range to Watch
  • EIA Analysis:  A Bearish Report for Oil

Futures are slightly higher despite soft economic data and more earning guidance cuts.

UK monthly GDP declined –0.3% and the UK officially entered recession, although that’s also boosting rate cut expectations.

On earnings, both CSCO and DE cut guidance and both stocks are solidly lower pre-market.

Today is a very busy day of economic data and the data will likely determine if stocks extend yesterday’s rebound or give some of it back.

The key reports are, in order of importance:  Retail Sales (E: -0.1%), Jobless Claims (E: 219k), Philly Fed (E: -9.0), Empire Manufacturing Index (E: -12.5) and Industrial Production (E: 0.2%).  For Empire and Philly Fed, the price indices will be closely watched and if they show further substantial gains, expect that to push yields higher on inflation concerns.

There are also two Fed speakers today,  Waller (1:15 p.m. ET) and Bostic (7:00 p.m. ET), and Waller could move markets as he is part of Fed leadership.


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Was Yesterday the Start of a Pullback?

Was Yesterday the Start of a Pullback? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Was Yesterday’s Hot CPI the Start of a Pullback? (Four Issues to Address)
  • VIX Chart Shows Options Trading Amplified Yesterday’s Selloff
  • CPI Takeaways

Stock futures are rebounding back from yesterday’s steep post-CPI selloff thanks to some “cooler” inflation data in the U.K. overnight and better than expected factory data out of Europe. The 10-Yr yield is stable, just below 4.30%.

Economically, the Q4 Eurozone GDP Flash met estimates at a tepid 0.1% y/y but EU Industrial Production jumped 2.6% vs. (E) -0.3% in December easing some ongoing growth worries.

U.K. PPI also favorably declined across the board which is offsetting the nation’s slightly higher than expected CPI data.

Looking into today’s session, there are no notable economic reports but two Fed officials who happen to be scheduled to speak at the open and close: Goolsbee (9:30 a.m. ET), Barr (4:00 p.m. ET).

Goolsbee is notably an FOMC voting member who leans towards the dovish camp and could potentially add support for a relief rally today after yesterday’s sharp decline. VIX futures expiration could also impact money flows in early trade.


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.