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Tom Essaye Quoted in CNBC on August 15, 2019

“The yield curve inverted which created a temporary ‘pile on’ effect in the bond markets. We have absolutely not seen what we wanted to out of the Fed. We had hoped for a rally in the 10-year yield…” wrote Tom Essaye of the Sevens Report. Click here to read the full article.

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Why the Falling Yuan Isn’t That Big of a Threat

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why The Falling Yuan Isn’t That Big of a Threat

Futures are solidly higher thanks to continued momentum following Thursday’s positive close.

Stocks were short term oversold and due for a bounce, but if there’s a “reason” behind the early rally it was a Washington Post article stating the Trump administration is getting concerned about future economic growth, which might lead to a trade deal.

There were no notable economic reports overnight.

Today the calendar is more quiet as we only have two economic reports, Housing Starts (E: 1.260M) and Consumer Sentiment (E: 97.5).  But, the Huawei waiver deadline is Monday the 19th so if there are going to be waivers given, it could happen literally at any minute (generous waivers will supercharge today’s early rally if they come).

Tom Essaye Quoted in Diario Financiero on August 14, 2019

“Historically speaking the inversion of that benchmark yield curve measure means that we now must expect a recession anywhere…” said Tom Essaye in a note on Wednesday. Click here to read the full article.

Stock trader

Tom Essaye Quoted in Vanity Fair on August 14, 2019

“Historically speaking the inversion of that benchmark yield curve measure means that we now must expect a recession anywhere from 6 to 18 months from today…” said Tom Essaye in a note on Wednesday. Click here to read the full article.

Trump on a Fire Truck

The Yield Curve Just Inverted

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • The Yield Curve Just Inverted (Chart)
  • Did the Tariff News End the Pullback?

Futures are sharply lower as investors digest historical moves in the bond market amid disappointing economic data.

The 10s-2s yield spreads in the U.S. and U.K. inverted for the first time since the financial crisis while the 30-Yr Bond yield hit fresh lows, further stoking fears of a looming recession.

Chinese Industrial Production (4.8% vs. E: 5.7%), and Retail Sales (7.6% vs. E: 8.5%) both missed expectations as did Eurozone Industrial Production (-2.6% vs. E: -1.5%), adding to the downside pressure on global equities this morning.

Today, there is one second-tiered economic report: Import and Export Prices (E: -0.1%, -0.1%) but because it can offer insight on inflation trends, the release could potentially move markets, as if it runs hot, it could further invert the 10s-2s yield curve spread which is one of the key factors weighing on markets today.

To that point, investors will be closely focused on the bond markets today as the historic inversion of the 10s-2s spread and the drop to new lows for the 30-year yield will likely weigh on risk assets as the odds of a looming recession just increased significantly.

Why the Hong Kong Protests Are Weighing on Stocks

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Did the Hong Kong Protests Cause a Drop in Stocks?

Futures are in the red and Treasury yields are extending the week’s declines amid continued unrest in Hong Kong, growing fears of a financial crisis in Argentina, and more broadly, rising concerns about the global economy.

The German ZEW Survey was terrible with Business Expectations hitting a 2011 low of -44.1 while the U.S. NFIB Small Business Optimism index was a modest upside surprise with the headline beating expectations at 104.7.

The most notable moves this morning are in the bond market where the 30-Yr Treasury is threatening to open with a record low yield below 2.10% while the 10s-2s spread fell below 5bp earlier this morning underscoring the risk-off money flows across asset classes. Gold is also notably up well over 1.5%, trading at fresh multi-year highs.

Today, the focus will remain on the crowded macro landscape as the market has been largely driven by overly cautious investor sentiment over the past few days however there is one economic report to watch ahead of the bell: CPI (E: 0.2%).

Bottom line, if headlines remain negative regarding Hong Kong, Argentina, and global growth, then it will be very difficult for stocks to rally today.

Tom Essaye Quoted in Newsmax on August 8, 2019

“The worst of it may be over but, I’d be surprised if the pullback is over. I think we’ll go back and likely take a look at some of this week’s lows simply because the issues that have really been…” said Tom Essaye.

 

Tom Essaye Quoted in Bloomberg on August 8, 2019

“The worst of it may be over but, I’d be surprised if the pullback is over. I think we’ll go back and likely take a look at some of this week’s lows simply because the issues that have really been the underlying causes…” Click here to read the full article.

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What’s Next for Markets

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What’s Next For Markets
  • Weekly Market Preview (Key earnings this week)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet (Important Growth Updates Wed/Thurs)

Futures are modestly lower following a quiet weekend as civil unrest in Hong Kong weighed on investor sentiment.

Protests in Hong Kong, which have been ongoing for weeks, intensified over the weekend as all flights out of Hong Kong have been canceled.  The turmoil is just adding to general geopolitical concerns and that’s pushing bond yields lower, which is why stock futures are down.  The 10 year Treasury yield broke below 1.70% this morning and is trading as of this writing at 1.68%.

Economic data was sparse over the weekend and there was no new news on U.S./China trade.  The next event in this drama is whether the September trade talks still occur (for now the answer is “yes” but that could change at any minute and if it does, stocks will drop).

Today the calendar is quiet as there are no economic reports and no Fed speakers, but any China related headlines will move markets.

Tom Essaye was Quoted in CNBC on August 5, 2019

Copper, a barometer for the global economy, drops to a 2-year low on trade war fears

“The combination of a disappointing Fed and an escalating trade war appears to be too much for this fragile global economy. The summer breakdown in copper…” said the Sevens Report’s Tom Essaye. Click here to read the full article.

Copper Pipes