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The Timing Of Rate Cuts Is A Big One

Markets Have Priced In The Dovish Pivot: Tom Essaye Quoted in Yahoo Finance


3 important things pros say you should watch out for in the stock market for 2024

Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research: “I agree the timing of rate cuts is a big one that people are focused on, but there are two others I think are equally as important.

First is earnings. Reports recently haven’t been good, and if disinflation turns into a headwind for corporate profits, that could be a surprise in early 2024 because markets have priced in solid earnings growth in 2024.

Second, what if the slowdown is worse than feared? For anyone who has been through previous Fed rate cut cycles, they usually don’t end well for stocks. Yes, it’s possible that this time is different and I agree there are unique circumstances coming from the pandemic, but the complacency towards a gradual slowdown is something that we need to watch early in the New Year.”

Also, click here to view the full Yahoo Finance article published on December 29th, 2023. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

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Jobs Report Preview

Jobs Report Preview: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Report Preview

Futures are rebounding very slightly following better than expected global service PMIs.

The December Chinese Service PMI handily beat estimates (52.9 vs. (E) 51.6) offering an encouraging signal on Chinese growth while the EU and UK services PMIs also slightly best estimates.

On inflation, data was more mixed as French CPI met estimates at 3.7% but rose slightly from last month challenging the disinflation narrative.

Today focus will be on economic data and specifically the labor market via Jobless Claims (E: 218K) and the ADP Employment Report (E: 115K) and the key here remains Goldilocks data that isn’t so strong it reduces rate cut expectations nor so bad it stirs worries about the economy.  Also, we get the December PMI Composite Index (E: 51.0) but barring a major surprise that shouldn’t move markets.

Jobs Report


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The Market Is “Sitting On Big Gains”

The Market Is “Sitting On Big Gains”: Tom Essaye Quoted on BNN Bloomberg


Markets today: AI mania driving Nasdaq 100’s best run since 1999

The market is “sitting on big gains” and most participants just want the year to end to register those gains, according to Tom Essaye, a former Merrill Lynch trader who founded The Sevens Report newsletter.

“But I’ve been in this industry long enough to know that when everyone seems to be leaning on one side of the proverbial canoe, it pays to move to the middle.”

Warnings about a market that’s flashing overbought signals have been raising concern about a pullback, with some market observers saying that traders have gone too far, too fast in pricing in a dovish Fed pivot.

Also, click here to view the full BNN Bloomberg article published on December 27th, 2023. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

To strengthen your market knowledge take a free trial of The Sevens Report.


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A Volatile Start to 2024, But Don’t Read Too Much Into It

A Volatile Start to 2024, But Don’t Read Too Much Into It: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • A Volatile Start to 2024, But Don’t Read Too Much Into It
  • SPDR Reveals Nearly 5% Divergence Between Best and Worst Sectors Yesterday
  • Chart – S&P Global Manufacturing PMI Remains in Contraction Territory

Stock futures are modestly lower and Treasury yields are extending their early 2024 gains as some of the dominant money flows from late last year continue to unwind to start 2024.

Economically, Germany’s Unemployment Rate held steady, as expected, at 5.9% in December which is not moving markets.

Today, trader focus will be on two key economic reports in early trade with the ISM Manufacturing Index (E: 47.2) and JOLTS (E: 8.75 million) report both due out shortly after the opening bell. Motor Vehicle Sales (E: 15.4 million) will also be released today.

Additionally, there is one Fed speaker: Barkin (8:00 a.m. ET) that will be closely watched ahead of the release of the December FOMC Meeting Minutes this afternoon (2:00 p.m. ET).

Bottom line, start-of-year portfolio rebalancing is likely to continue to dominate the tape today, however, if economic data comes in “Goldilocks” and the Fed Minutes don’t derail the market’s dovish policy expectations for 2023, stocks and bonds should both be able to stabilize as calendar-driven volatility begins to subside.

A Volatile Start


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Five Optimistic Market Assumptions for 2024

Five Optimistic Market Assumptions for 2024: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Weekly Market Preview – Five Market Assumptions to Know As We Start 2024
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet – Jobs Report in Focus

Futures are moderately lower to start 2024 amid concerns about China’s economy and rising geopolitical tensions.

Economically, China’s government-issued PMI fell to 49.0 vs. (E) 49.6 in December while President Xi Jinping made some cautious comments on the state of the economy over the weekend that has poured cold water on Asian markets to start the year.

In Europe, the December PMI rose to 44.4 vs. (E) 44.2 but still points to a factory sector deep in contraction which reiterates very real recession risks in the Eurozone in 2024.

Geopolitical tensions are pushing oil prices higher to start the new year after the U.S. Navy sunk three Iran-backed Houthi vessels in the Red Sea this weekend.

Looking into today’s session, the Final U.S. December Manufacturing PMI (E: 48.2) will be in focus this morning and traders will want to see stability in the data in order for stocks to start the new year with an extension of the 2023 rally.

Sevens Report Quarterly Letter Delivered Today

Our Q4 ’23 Quarterly Letter will be released today. We use our strength (writing about the markets) to help you:

  1. Save time (an average of 4-6 hours per quarterly letter) and
  2. Show you’re on top of markets with impressive, compelling market analysis.

You can view our Q3 ’23 Quarterly Letter here. To learn more about the product (including price) please click this link.

If you’re interested in subscribing, please email info@sevensreport.com.

Market Assumptions


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Stocks Ended Last Week Higher

Stocks Ended Last Week Higher: Sevens Report Analysts Quoted in Investing.com


‘Last week’s price action is important for 2024,’ says Sevens Report

“Stocks ended last week higher but also saw the biggest drop in several weeks last Wednesday, and the reason for the increased volatility is notable and gives us some hints about what could move markets early in 2024,” the firm wrote.

According to Sevens Report Research, last week’s price action is important for 2024, noting the increased volatility.

“Stocks ended last week higher but also saw the biggest drop in several weeks last Wednesday, and the reason for the increased volatility is notable and gives us some hints about what could move markets early in 2024,” the firm wrote.

“Last Wednesday’s volatility does bring up two issues we need to watch: 1) Earnings disappointment and 2) The total lack of a ‘Wall of Worry,'” they added. While they are not bearish to start 2024 and believe the underlying fundamentals of the market are “still clearly positive.” the firm thinks investors are too complacent with this market as we begin the new year.

Also, click here to view the full Investing.com article published on December 28th, 2023. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

Lastly, 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.

Five Measurable Similarities To 2006/2007

Five Measurable Similarities To 2006/2007: Sevens Report Analysts Quoted in Investing.com


Sevens Report Research sees similarities to 06/07, market susceptible to bouts of sudden volatility

Sevens Report Research said in its morning note on Friday that they see “five measurable similarities to 2006/2007.”

The firm explained that answering the question regarding what lies ahead for the stock market and bond market in 2024 is especially difficult right now, considering “the slew of mixed signals we are facing as we approach the end of 2023.”

“A few of those notable signals include 1) The deepest yield curve inversion since 1981, 2) The highest real interest rates since 2008, 3) Unexpectedly resilient economic data with Real GDP pushing 5% in Q3, 4) Stocks testing all-time highs, and 5) A historically complacent VIX reading,” they stated.

“But these are not unprecedented dynamics, and frankly, they’re reminiscent of the time period spanning 2006 and 2007,” said the firm.

“As long as the market’s fundamental consensus is uncertain and lacks conviction, which remains the case right now, this market will be susceptible to pullbacks and bouts of sudden volatility,” claims the firm.

Also, click here to view the full Investing.com article published on December 22nd, 2023. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

Lastly, 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 This Isn’t A Risk-Less Market (Despite The Fed Being Dovish)

Why This Isn’t A Risk-Less Market: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why This Isn’t A Risk-Less Market (Despite The Fed Being Dovish)
  • Understanding Why the Dollar Is Plunging

Futures are modestly higher following mixed global economic data and as investors continued to digest Wednesday’s dovish Fed decision.

Global data was mixed, but not bad, and as such isn’t increasing global slowdown fears.  In Europe, the EU flash composite PMI missed estimates (47.0 vs. (E) 48.0) while the UK reading beat (51.7 vs. (E )51.0).  In China,

Retail Sales and Industrial Production were better than feared.

Today focus will be on economic data as we get the first look at December activity and for the rally to continue, the data needs to be Goldilocks (so close to expectations).  The key reports today are, in order of importance:    Dec. Flash Manufacturing PMI (E: 49.2), Dec. Flash Service PMI (E: 50.6), Nov. Industrial Production (E: 0.3%), Dec. Empire Manufacturing Index (E: 3.7).

Annual Discounts on Sevens Report, Alpha, Quarterly Letter, and Technicals.

We’ve been contacted by advisor subscribers who wanted to use the remainder of their 2023 pre-tax research budgets to extend their current subscriptions, upgrade to an annual (and get a month free) or add a new product (Alpha, Quarterly Letter, Technicals).

If you have unused pre-tax research dollars, we offer month-free discounts on all our products. If you would like to extend current subscriptions or save money by upgrading to an annual subscription, please email info@sevensreport.com.


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Catalyst #1 – CPI Preview: Good, Bad & Ugly

CPI Preview: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • CPI Preview:  Good, Bad & Ugly
  • Weekly Market Preview:  The Last Busy Week of 2023 (Inflation Update, Fed Decision & Growth Reports)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Inflation Tomorrow, Fed Decision Wednesday, Economic Growth Updates Thurs/Fri

Futures are slightly lower on digestion of the multi-week rally following a quiet weekend and ahead of a the last catalyst-filled week of 2023.

Economically, there was no notable data overnight. Investors are focused on the looming reports this week (CPI tomorrow, Fed Wednesday, growth data Thurs/Fri).

On Japan, a Bloomberg article pushed back on the expectation for rate hikes and Japanese stocks are rallying 1%.

This is the last potentially busy week of 2023 but it starts slowly as the only notable report today is the N.Y. Fed 1 Year Consumer Inflation Expectations (3.6%).  If expectations drop sharply (possibly below 3.0%) that could provide a mild boost to stocks. But with key events looming Tuesday-Friday, the bar to move stocks and bonds today is pretty high.

CPI Preview

Annual Discounts on Sevens Report, Alpha, Quarterly Letter, and Technicals.

We’ve been contacted by advisor subscribers who wanted to use the remainder of their 2023 pre-tax research budgets to extend their current subscriptions, upgrade to an annual (and get a month free) or add a new product (Alpha, Quarterly Letter, Technicals).

If you have unused pre-tax research dollars, we offer month-free discounts on all our products. If you would like to extend current subscriptions or save money by upgrading to an annual subscription, please email info@sevensreport.com.


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.

Jobs Report Preview

Jobs Report Preview: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.


What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Report Preview
  • An Excellent Explanation of the Economic Cycle
  • Oil Update (How Far Could It Fall?)

Futures are little changed despite hawkish commentary from the BOJ and more underwhelming economic data.

BOJ commentary overnight was hawkish and markets now expect a rate hike at the December meeting. And that expectation is pushing global yields slightly higher.

European economic data was again soft as German Industrial Production declined –0.4% vs. (E) 0.5%. This adds to the recent string of soft EU economic reports.

Today focus will remain on economic data and specifically weekly Jobless Claims (E: 222K) and Continuing Claims (1.91 million).  These numbers have been drifting higher lately and Continuing Claims just hit a two-year high.  If we see further upside in these readings today that will add to the growing list of readings that implies the economy is losing momentum and while that may not cause a drop in stocks today, a slowing economy will likely become a headwind in early 2024.

Jobs Report Preview

Annual Discounts on Sevens Report, Alpha, Quarterly Letter, and Technicals.

We’ve been contacted by advisor subscribers who wanted to use the remainder of their 2023 pre-tax research budgets to extend their current subscriptions, upgrade to an annual (and get a month free) or add a new product (Alpha, Quarterly Letter, Technicals).

If you have unused pre-tax research dollars, we offer month-free discounts on all our products. If you would like to extend current subscriptions or save money by upgrading to an annual subscription, please email info@sevensreport.com.


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.