Posts

U.S./China Trade Update (What’s Priced In Now?)

/in /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • U.S./China Trade Update:  What’s Priced in Now?
  • One More Important Stat on Corporate Buybacks

Futures are modestly higher as the Chinese Ministry of Commerce  said the U.S. and China have agreed to existing tariff reduction in “phases.”

There were no further details on the timing or conditions that would accompany tariff reduction, however, and that’s tempering the rally somewhat.

Economically, German Industrial Production declined but slightly beat estimates (-0.6% vs. (E) -0.7%).

Today the only notable economic reports are Jobless Claims (E: 220K) while we also have two Fed speakers: Kaplan (1:05 p.m. ET), Bostic (7:10 p.m. ET), but none of that should move markets.

Instead, the focus will remain on the U.S./China trade, and if the U.S. confirms this “tariff reduction in phases” statement by the Chinese, then we could see the S&P 500 make a run at 3100.

How Corporate Buybacks Are Skewing EPS Statistics

/in /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • How Share Buybacks Are Skewing EPS Statistics

S&P futures are flat after a quiet night of mixed trading overseas as investors digest mostly positive economic data.

The Japanese PMI Composite was the only report to miss overnight as German Manufacturers’ Orders jumped 1.3% vs. (E) 0.2% while the EU Composite PMI edged up to 50.6 vs. (E) 50.2 and EU Retail Sales rose 3.1% vs. (E) 2.7% year over year.

On balance, the data was slightly hawkish from a monetary policy standpoint but is importantly easing global growth concerns.

Today, there is one economic report to watch: Productivity and Costs (E: 1.1%, 2.2%) and three Fed officials are scheduled to speak: Evans (8:00 a.m. ET), Williams (9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. ET), and Harker (3:15 p.m. ET).

With limited catalysts on the calendar, the market will likely remain focused on the trade war and any incremental developments, negative or positive, will move stocks today.

Does this Cyclical Rotation Have Legs?

/in /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Does this Cyclical Rotation Have Legs?
  • Factory Orders Data Takeaways
  • Dr. Copper Update

U.S. stock futures are higher this morning and global stocks rallied overnight thanks to more positive trade headlines and mostly “Goldilocks” economic data overseas.

The Financial Times was the first to report the Trump administration is considering rolling back $112B worth of tariffs that went into effect on September 1st which would be a significant concession and first sign of real progress towards a “phase one” deal being reached.

Economically, the first composite PMI reports were released overseas and both the Chinese and British figures firmed in October, further easing concerns about the health of the global economy.

Today, there are several economic reports due to be released: International Trade (E: $52.5B), ISM Non-Manufacturing Index (E: 53.5), and JOLTS (Previous: 7.051M, while two Fed officials are scheduled to speak: Kaplan (12:40 p.m. ET) and Kashkari (6:00 p.m. ET).

Beyond the data and Fed speakers, focus will be primarily on the trade war as investors look for further insight to whether or not the Trump Administration will move forward with tariff rollbacks and delays as was reported overnight. Any confirmation would be well-received and see stocks extend this recent squeeze higher towards 3,100 in the S&P.

An Analogy To Explain This Market (Investors Loved It)

/in /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • An Analogy to Help Explain This Market (Investors Loved It)
  • Weekly Market Preview (Trade and Data Remain the Focus)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet (Global Growth Updates This Week)

Futures are modestly higher as global markets extended Friday’s jobs report and trade-driven rally.

On trade, U.S. and Chinese officials again repeated that substantial progress has been made on Phase One, while Wilbur Ross downplayed chances of auto tariffs (something that wasn’t ever priced into the market but was a peripheral risk).

Economically, EU and British manufacturing PMIs slightly beat estimates but remained in contraction territory (45.9 and 44.2 respectively).

Today there is one economic report, Factory Orders (E: -0.5%), and normally I don’t follow it, but it’ll give us greater insight into the current state of business spending, so a better than expected reading there will be a positive.  Additionally, there is one Fed speaker, Daly (3:05 p.m. ET) but she won’t move markets as Clarida and Powell made future Fed policy very clear last week – they’re done cutting barring an economic rollover.

ISM PMI Day (More Important than the Jobs Report)

/in /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Report Preview (Minor Post Fed Adjustments)
  • Is Dr. Copper Sending Another Signal?

Futures are slightly higher following yesterday’s declines thanks to decent economic data and ahead of the jobs report and ISM Manufacturing PMI.

Global manufacturing PMIs were a bit better this morning as a private market reading of Chinese manufacturing beat estimates (51.7 vs. (E) 51.0) and that’s notable because it contradicts the soft government reading from Thursday.  Additionally, the British manufacturing PMI also beat estimates.  The Japanese reading, however, was soft (48.4 vs. (E) 48.9).

Bottom line, global manufacturing PMIs aren’t collapsing, but they aren’t showing the type of stabilization that markets have priced in, either.

Today the focus will be on economic data and while the Employment Situation report (E: 93K job adds, 3.6% UE rate, 3.0% wage growth) will dominate the headlines, the ISM Manufacturing PMI (E: 49.0) is actually going to be the more important report, because if it shows further deterioration, that will increase worries about the U.S. economy.  More broadly, as we said yesterday, with the Fed on hold, “good” data is good for stocks, and “bad” data is bad.

Finally, there are two notable Fed speakers today, Williams (12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. ET) and Clarida (1:00 p.m. ET) although neither should move markets given we just heard from Powell.

FOMC Takeaway: Will Three Rate Cuts Save the Bull Market?

/in /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Will Three Fed Rate Cuts Be Enough To Save the Bull Market?
  • Why Wednesday’s GDP Report is Important
  • Oil Market Update

Futures are modestly lower as weak global economic data offsets good earnings from AAPL and FB.

The Chinese October manufacturing PMI fell to 49.3 vs. (E) 49.8, the lowest level since January 2016.  German retail sales and EU unemployment also slightly missed estimates and the takeaway is that the hoped for stabilization in the global economy isn’t happening yet.

On U.S./China trade, a Bloomberg headline hit early this morning saying a long term U.S./China trade deal is unlikely, but that’s not news as it was never expected.  Instead, consensus expectations are for an ineffectual Phase One document to be signed, and then no further progress after that (the key to this whole drama remains whether there’s any tariff relief).

Today’s focus will remain on economic data as earnings begin to move towards the back burner.  Key reports to watch today, in order of importance, are:  Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.1%, 1.7%), Employment Cost Index (E: 0.7%) and Jobless Claims (E: 215K). From a data standpoint, with the Fed now on hold, “good” economic news is good for stocks, and “bad” economic news is bad.  So, the bulls are looking for good news for the remainder of the week.

Tom Essaye Quoted in CNBC on October 29, 2019

/in /by

“People had aggressively pushed cyclicals higher over the past two weeks. But in order for that to work out beyond the short term, we need to see…” said Tom Essaye, founder of the Sevens Report. Click here to read the full article.

New York Stock Exchange traders

Fed Day and Jobs Report Preview

/in /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Report Preview
  • Is Natural Gas About to Surge?
  • What Constitutes a Positive Move Post Fed?

Futures are flat ahead of the Fed decision and multiple key economic releases today while int’l shares declined overnight on soft data.

The Eurozone EC Economic Sentiment Index dropped to 100.8 vs. (E) 101.4 in October, a fresh 3+ year low as recession concerns continue to weigh on growth expectations.

The FOMC Meeting Announcement at 2:00 p.m. ET and Fed Chair Powell’s Press Conference at 2:30 p.m. ET will clearly be the main events for the markets today however there are two key economic reports that warrant attention before the bell this morning: Econ Today: ADP Employment Report (E: 139K) and Q3 GDP (E: 1.7%).

Meanwhile, earnings season remains in full swing with multiple important reports due out today: GE ($0.12), SNE ($1.08), YUM ($0.94), AAPL ($2.84), FB ($1.91), SBUX ($0.70), WDC ($0.28), SU ($0.54).

Bottom line, economic data and earnings will be able to influence early price action across asset classes today but where equity and bond markets close will almost exclusively rely on whether the Fed meets expectations, comes across as dovish, or offers another hawkish (and bearish stocks) surprise like we saw back in late July.

Fed Meeting Preview

/in /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • FOMC Preview

Stock futures are slightly lower and bonds are rising modestly as investors digest yesterday’s new all-time highs in the S&P, eye Brexit developments, and position ahead of the week’s long list of catalysts.

British PM Boris Johnson is making a new push for a general election in early December, increasing the odds of a no-deal Brexit which is weighing on stocks this morning.

There are a few economic reports to watch this morning including S&P Case-Shiller HPI (-0.1%), Consumer Confidence (E: 128.6), and Pending Home Sales (E: -0.2%) but the market’s reaction is expected to be limited as the FOMC meeting begins which will likely lead to a degree of “trader paralysis” today.

Meanwhile, earnings season remains in full swing and there are several notable reports due today which could influence sector trading:  MA ($2.01), MRK ($1.25), PFE ($0.63), GM ($1.31), AMD ($0.18), and AMGN ($3.51).

Why Markets Are Ignoring Bad Data

/in /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Markets Are Ignoring Bad Economic Data

Futures are slightly higher following a generally quiet night of mixed earnings.

On the earnings front, AMZN missed earnings badly but INTC posted strong numbers and the two are largely offsetting one another.

Regarding U.S./China trade, there is a phone call between the two countries today where China will ask for the December tariff increases to be formally scrapped and the 9/1 tariff increases to be rescinded. If this happens, it’s a positive surprise.

Today the calendar is quiet as we have just one economic report, Consumer Sentiment (E: 96.0) and only a few notable earnings reports, VZ ($1.24) and BUD ($1.36).

So, focus will be on that U.S./China trade call, and if we see the September tariff increases rolled back, that will likely send the S&P 500 to new all-time highs.