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Markets have held up well to a dramatic reduction in rate-cut estimates

Markets have held up well to a dramatic reduction in rate-cut estimates: Tom Essaye, Sevens Report Editor, Quoted in MarketWatch on MSN


This is the big question markets have for Fed’s Jerome Powell, BlackRock says

“Since the start of the year, markets have held up well to a dramatic reduction in rate-cut estimates,” Tom Essaye, founder and president of Sevens Report Research, said in a note on Tuesday. “Remember, in January the market expected six rate cuts starting in March.”

Stocks and bonds haven’t been hit harder by the recent shift in those expectations because “the market still expects the next move from the Fed to be a cut,” Essaye said. A reiteration of that message by Powell on Wednesday could help stop the S&P 500’s recent slide, he said.

Also, click here to view the full MarketWatch article published by MSN on May 1st, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

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Earnings in those tech companies are really important

Earnings in those tech companies are really important: Sevens Report Editor, Tom Essaye, Quoted in Barron’s


Stocks Open Mixed Ahead of Fed Decision

“Bottom line, there are a lot of potential catalysts for markets today but the key to stocks stabilizing will be economic data that contradicts recent signs of stagflation emerging in the economy and a benign Fed day with an as-expected dovish announcement and no surprises from Chair Powell,” writes Sevens Report Research’s Tom Essaye. “Otherwise, we could easily see a test or breakdown through the April lows in the S&P 500 today.”

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on May 1st, 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 RallyIf 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.

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Sevens Report Research’s Tom Essaye Quoted by Barron’s in a Phone Interview

Price pressures are firming up: Sevens Report Editor, Tom Essaye, Quoted in Barron’s


Dow Drops 300 Points. Price Pressures Are Firming Up.

Sevens Report Research’s Tom Essaye told Barron’s in a phone interview that hotter-than-expected employment cost and home price data spooked markets after a couple strong days.

“What I think that’s doing is reminding everybody, after a couple of days of a breather, that there’s really a long and growing list of indicators that are showing price pressures are firming up,” Essaye says.

He notes that while inflation is not roaring back, the numbers have remained elevated enough to increase the likelihood that the Federal Reserve keeps rates higher for longer.

“If he says, ‘Look, this is very disappointing and we may have to consider hiking rates again,’ which I don’t think he will do, but if he does do that, then it’s going to hit the markets really hard,” Essaye says.

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on April 30th, 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 RallyIf 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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Why the Outlook For Stocks Got Worse Last Week (Not Better)

Why the Outlook For Stocks Got Worse Last Week (Not Better): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why the Outlook For Stocks Got Worse Last Week (Not Better)
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Will Fed Officials and the BOE Increase Rate Cut Hopes?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  A Quiet Week but Friday’s Inflation Expectations Will Be Important

Futures are extending the gains from Friday’s Goldilocks jobs report despite a potential increase in geo-political tensions this week.

Oil prices are rallying moderately following the breakdown of Israel/Hamas cease fire talks and an Israeli military operation in Rafah is likely.

Economically, the Euro Zone services PMI beat estimates at 53.5 vs. (E) 52.9, pushing back on EU recession risks.

Today there are no notable economic reports but there are two Fed speakers, Barkin (12:50 p.m. ET) and Williams (1:00 p.m. ET).  If either of them sound more open to rate hikes than Powell did last week, it’ll likely push yields higher and take back some of last week’s post-Fed rally.


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A Flash of Fear: FOMC Technical Preview

A Flash of Fear: FOMC Technical Preview: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • FOMC Technical Preview – A Flash of Fear in the Market (Shareable PDF By Request)
  • More Hot Inflation Data: Employment Cost Index and Case Shiller/FHFA Home Price Indices
  • Chart: Stagflation Concerns Bring Focus Back to the Yield Curve

Futures are lower as stagflation fears continue to weigh on risk assets while earnings were mixed overnight with AMZN reporting strong quarterly cloud sales (the stock is up 2%+) while AMD’s AI-chip demand forecast disappointed (the stock is down 6%+).

Economically, the U.K.’s April Manufacturing PMI was better than feared, rising to 49.1 vs. (E) 48.7 which is helping the FTSE buck the heavy trend across global equity markets this morning.

Looking into today’s session, focus will be on economic data early with the ADP Private Payrolls (E: 175K), ISM Manufacturing Index (E: 50.0), Construction Spending (E: 0.3%), and JOLTS (E: 8.7 million) all due to be released by 10 a.m. ET.

Additionally, the Treasury Refunding Announcement (8:30 a.m. ET) for which estimates sparked some volatility earlier in the week, could move bond markets and subsequently impact equities in the pre-market.

In the afternoon, focus will turn to the Fed with the FOMC Announcement at 2:00 p.m. ET followed by Fed Chair Powell’s Press Conference at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Earnings season takes a breather today before AAPL and other tech companies report tomorrow but there are still a few notables to monitor today including: MA ($3.22), CVS ($1.69), QCOM ($2.31).

Bottom line, there are a lot of potential catalysts for markets today but the key to stocks stabilizing will be economic data that contradicts recent signs of stagflation emerging in the economy and a benign Fed day with an as-expected to dovish announcement and no surprises from Chair Powell. Otherwise, we could easily see a test or breakdown through the April lows in the S&P 500 today.


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Here We Go Again: Why Bad Data Isn’t Good for Stocks

Here We Go Again: Why Bad Data Isn’t Good for Stocks: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Here We Go Again: Why Bad Data Isn’t Good for Stocks
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are moderately lower following disappointing tech earnings overnight.

META (down 13% pre-open), IBM (down 10% pre-open) and NOW (down 5% pre-open) all posted disappointing results and tech stock weakness is weighing on futures.

Economically there was no notable data overnight.

Today focus will be on economic data and earnings.  From a data standpoint, Advanced Q1 GDP (E: 2.3%) is the key report and markets will want to see a headline that meets (or slightly misses) expectations and price data that’s in-line or lower than estimates (if that occurs, July rate cuts hopes will rise).  Other data today includes Jobless Claims (E: 215K) and Pending Home Sales (E: 1.0%).

On earnings, there is a deluge of reports today, but the key potential market movers include:  MSFT ($2.81), GOOGL ($1.49), INTC ($0.11), AAL (-$0.28), RCL ($1.30), CAT ($5.12), TMUS ($1.89).


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Bull Market Warning From Dow Theory

Bull Market Warning From Dow Theory: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Dow Theory Update: Transports Rolling Over (Charts Included)
  • Flash PMI Takeaways – Signs of Weakness
  • Has Gold Bottomed Yet (Probably Not)

Futures are higher on well-received guidance from “Mag-7” member TSLA (+11% pre-market) and U.S. semiconductor giant TXN (+7% pre-market) while economic data in Europe topped estimates overnight.

Economically, Australian CPI was “warm” at 1.0% vs. (E) 0.8% in Q1 which is supporting a modest rise in the aussie dollar while the German Ifo Survey’s Business Expectations Index firmed to 89.9 vs. (E) 88.9 helping bolster European shares.

Today, there is one economic report to watch: Durable Goods Orders (E: 2.3%) and markets will be looking for a “goldilocks,” as-expected number as either a “hot” print would initiate a hawkish reaction while a “cold” print would rekindle growth concerns.

There are no Fed speakers today, but the Treasury will hold a 5-Yr Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET which once again could move yields. A weak auction would send yields towards 5% which is another threat to this week’s robust relief rally.

Earnings season also continues to ramp up with BA (-$1.43), T ($0.53), and GD ($2.89) reporting results ahead of the open while META ($4.32), IBM ($1.59), F ($0.42), and CMG ($11.63) will report after the close. META will be the most important to watch as the results could either bolster this strong week-to-date rally that’s been led by tech, or de-rail it and send stocks back towards the Q2 lows.


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“Intraday market movement matters,” Tom Essaye says.

“Intraday market movement matters”: Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s


The S&P 500 Keeps Starting Strong But Finishing Down

“That’s not what you want to see because what it tells you is you have a bunch of people who own stocks who are looking for an excuse to sell them,” Sevens Report Research’s Tom Essaye told Barron’s. “And the higher price gives them that excuse early.”

We’re only halfway through the month, so there are plenty of opportunities to top that figure. The most it’s happened in a month going back to 2008 was in December 2012, when it occurred 8 different times.

“Intraday market movement matters,” Essaye says. “The ideal scenario is you open lower and you climb out of the hole. We’re doing the opposite here. … It does speak to further technical weakness, and that’s why I believe we aren’t done yet. We probably need to go a bit lower.”

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.

It’ll be Very Hard for This Market to RallyIf 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 Bad Was Last Week for the Rally?

How Bad Was Last Week for the Rally? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Initial Thoughts on the Iranian Strikes on Israel
  • How Bad Was Last Week for the Rally
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet – Growth Metrics in Focus

Stock futures are rebounding modestly from Friday’s steep selloff as geopolitical developments from the weekend were not as bad as feared leaving focus on the start to Q1 earnings season and key economic data this week.

Geopolitically, Iran attacked Israel with a series of well-telegraphed drone and missile strikes over the weekend, but most were intercepted. There were limited casualties and little damage so the situation is seen as “contained” for now, however, a retaliatory strike by Israel would be a negative development for risk assets.

Looking into today’s session, there are two important investment bank earnings reports due out ahead of the bell: GS ($8.54) and SCHW ($0.73). following Friday’s disappointing results from other major banks including JPM, investors will want to see good numbers.

Economically, we get several important data points today including the Empire State Manufacturing Index (E: -5.1), Retail Sales (E: 0.4%), and the Housing Market Index (E: 51). Data needs to come in Goldilocks, especially, Retail Sales as the last two reports missed estimates and have raised concerns about the health of the consumer. Otherwise selling pressure is likely to pick up again today.

Finally, there are two Fed officials speaking today: Williams (8:30 a.m. ET) and Daly (8:00 p.m. ET). Any less hawkish tone will be welcomed while “higher for longer” commentary will be negative for stocks and bonds (yields higher).


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Understanding Why the Decline in Inflation Has Stalled

Understanding Why the Decline in Inflation Has Stalled: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Understanding Why the Decline in Inflation Has Stalled

Futures are slightly lower following more disappointing Chinese economic data and as geo-political concerns rise.

Chinese exports fell –7.5% vs. (E) -1.9% underscoring that growth remains a major concern in the Chinese economy.

Oil and gold are sharply higher on a WSJ article stating Iran could directly retaliate against Israel this weekend (a direct attack on Israel by Iran would be a substantial escalation).

Today there is one notable economic report, Consumer Sentiment (E: 79.0), but barring major surprise that shouldn’t move markets.    Instead, focus will be on Fed Speak and earnings.

Starting with the Fed, we have several speakers today including Schmid (1:00 p.m.), Bostic (2:30 p.m.) and Daly (3:30 p.m.) and if they echo Thursday’s commentary that rate cuts aren’t coming soon, expect mild pressure on stocks.

On earnings, today is the start of the Q1 earnings season and several big banks report including: JPM ($4.18), BLK ($4.92), WFC ($1.09) and C ($1.29).  Focus will be on the results and on consumer commentary and the stronger the commentary, the more of a tailwind earnings will provide to stocks.


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