Posts

Jobs Day

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Day
  • Will “Sell in May and Go Away” Work This Year?
  • Interesting Signal from the VIX

Futures are modestly higher as positive trade comments from China offset disappointing earnings overnight.

China’s Commerce Ministry issued a statement saying it was potentially open to trade talks with the U.S., stoking speculation that trade negotiations will begin soon.

Earnings overnight were soft as AAPL (down 3% pre-market) and AMZN (-1.3% pre-market) both disappointed.

Today focus will be on the jobs report and expectations are as follows:  130K Job-Adds, 4.2% Unemployment Rate, 3.9% y/y Wage Growth.  Put simply, the stronger this number, the better, as it’s almost impossible that it’ll come in too hot while a strong number (ideally with tame wages) will push back on stagflation fears.

On earnings, the peak of the season is now behind us (on balance it’s been better than feared) but there are a few notable reports to watch today: XOM ($1.74), CI ($6.39), CVX ($2.15).

Jobs Report Preview: Recession Risks Rising?

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Report Preview: Recession Risks Rising?

Futures are sharply higher on strong earnings overnight.

META (up 6% pre-market) and MSFT (up 9% pre-market) both beat estimates and posted strong guidance and that’s helping futures rally.

Economically, the only notable report was UK Manufacturing PMI, which beat estimates (45.4 vs. (E) 44.0).

Today will be an important day for economic data and earnings.  On the data front, the two key reports today are Jobless Claims (E: 221K) and the ISM Manufacturing PMI (E: 47.9).  The stronger these reports are, the better for stocks as they’ll push back on slowdown fears.

On the earnings front, AMZN ($1.35) and AAPL ($1.61) are the most important reports (both after the close) but there are several other notable earnings as well: LLY ($3.52), CVS ($1.67), MA ($3.57).

The primary negative influences on copper

/in , /by

The primary negative influences on copper: Sevens Report Analysts Quoted in MarketWatch

Here’s what this real-time barometer says about tariff-induced recession risks rising

“Recession worries and lack of concrete progress in trade relations between the U.S. and China remain the primary negative influences on copper,” analysts at Sevens Report Research wrote in Wednesday’s newsletter.

They said the “primary trend in copper is not one of higher or lower prices, but of volatility, which highlights trade-war uncertainty and an elevated sense of angst among global investors.”

Also, click here to view the full article featured on MarketWatch published on April 30th, 2025. 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.

Contrarian Indicator: Sentiment & Confidence Hit Historic Lows

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Consumer and Investors Haven’t Been This Negative in Well Over a Decade (Contrarian Indicator)
  • JOLTS Takeaways – Labor Market Shows Signs of Deterioration
  • Consumer Expectations Plunge Due to Bleak Outlook

Stock futures are lower as weak tech-sector earnings offset mostly positive economic data overnight.

SMCI (-16% premarket) missed on earnings and lowered 2025 guidance which is weighing on big-tech stocks this morning, dragging the broader market lower in the pre-market.

Economically, China’s Manufacturing PMI beat estimates while Eurozone GDP was inline.

Today, there is a slew of economic data to watch early in the day including the ADP Employment Report (E: 125K), Q1 GDP (E: 0.2%), Chicago PMI (E: 45.8), Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.1% m/m, 2.6% y/y), and Pending Home Sales (E: 1.0%).

The Core PCE Price Index will be the key figure to watch as it is the Fed’s preferred inflation measure and a hot print could add to worries about the Fed’s ability to achieve their dual-mandate with growing inflation risks and declining growth metrics in 2025.

In the afternoon, focus will shift to earnings as several mega-cap tech companies are due to report earnings after the close including: MSFT ($3.20), META ($5.22), QCOM ($2.27) as well as other non-tech companies HUM ($9.98) and CAT ($4.30).

How much economic damage have tariffs done?

/in , /by

How much economic damage have tariffs done?: Tom Essaye Quoted in MarketWatch

Is the stock market overvalued? Investors look for ‘economic damage’ from tariffs

Investors are hoping trade deals that reduce tariffs may be announced soon, which would help inform whether the U.S. stock market is currently overvalued, according to Tom Essaye, founder and president of Sevens Report Research.

“‘How much economic damage have tariffs done?’ is one of the most important questions for investors right now because if the answer is ‘a lot,’ then this market is still substantially overvalued,” Essaye said in a note Monday. “If the answer is ‘not too much’ and tariff reduction occurs, then the case can be made for a sustainable rally (as long as we get consistent policy).”

Also, click here to view the full article featured on MarketWatch published on April 28th, 2025. 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.

Reading Market Volatility: If, Then.

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Reading Market Volatility:  If, Then…

Futures are little changed despite solid earnings overnight and more signs of trade war de-escalation.

GOOGL posted stronger than expected results and tech earnings broadly last night were solid, boosting the sector.

On trade, China exempted several categories of U.S. imports from 125% tariffs in a further small de-escalation of trade tensions.

Trade headlines will continue to dominate intra-day trading today but there’s also a notable economic report this morning via University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment (E: 50.8).  The key part of this report will be the inflation expectations and estimates are as follows: One Year Inflation Expectations: 6.7%, Five-Year Inflation Expectations 4.4%.  If the actual data is hotter than those estimates, it will put upward pressure on yields and could weigh on stocks.

On earnings, results so far have been better than expected and that has helped this rally.  Notable results today include: ABBV ($2.40),  CHTR ($8.53) and PSX ($-0.77).

The market is dying for any breadcrumb of positivity

/in , /by

The market is dying for any breadcrumb of positivity: Tom Essaye Quoted in Inc.com

The Stock Market Is Desperate for Any Excuse to Rally

“The market is dying for any breadcrumb of positivity,” says Tom Essaye, the founder of Sevens Report Research. “The market is flailing around.”

Also, click here to view the full article featured on Inc.com, published on April 23rd, 2025. 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.

Trump Attacking Powell Is a Potentially Large Negative

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Trump Attacking Powell Is a Potentially Large Negative
  • Chart – Dollar Index’s 10% YTD Decline Underscores U.S. Policy Uncertainty

Equity futures are solidly higher in pre-market trade as investor focus shifts from political tensions to earnings as we approach the peak of the Q1 reporting season.

There were no noteworthy economic reports overnight and there is just one lesser-followed economic report due out in the U.S. today: Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index (E: -5.0) which is unlikely to materially move markets.

There are several Fed officials scheduled to speak today including Jefferson (9:00 a.m. ET), Harker (9:30 a.m. ET), Kashkari (1:40 p.m. ET), and Barkin (2:30 p.m. ET). Given Trump’s recent attacks on Powell’s Fed leadership, their comments have the potential to trigger risk-on or risk-off money flows in intraday trade today.

In the afternoon, there is a 2-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET. Because the 2-Yr is viewed as a “policy-rate-sensitive” Treasury security, the level of demand for the Notes could lead to yield swings that could ultimately impact the stock market.

Finally, earnings season is in full swing this week with notable quarterly results due from VZ ($1.15), GE ($1.26), LMT ($6.32), TSLA ($0.35), and COF ($3.70) today. There will be particular focus on guidance, forecasts, and commentary from leadership as forward earnings expectations have both deteriorated and become increasingly uncertain since the start of the year.

Sentiment Update (A Shocking Discovery)

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Sentiment Update (A Somewhat Shocking Discovery)
  • Empire State Manufacturing Survey Takeaways

U.S. stock futures are in the red this morning with tech leading to the downside after the U.S. announced new export restrictions on AI chip exports to China.

Economically, Chinese GDP missed (1.2% vs. E: 1.5% q/q) but Retail Sales beat (5.9% vs. E: 4.2%) while EU HICP (CPI equivalent) was inline with estimates at 2.2% y/y.

Looking ahead to today’s session, there are several important economic reports due to be released in the U.S. including: Retail Sales (E: 1.4%), Industrial Production (E: -0.2%), and the Housing Market Index (E: 38).

Additionally, there are two Fed officials scheduled to speak: Hammack (12:00 p.m. ET) and Schmid (7:00 p.m. ET) and the Treasury will hold a 20-Yr Bond auction at 1:00 p.m. ET.

Finally, earnings season continues with quarterly results due from ASML ($6.12), USB ($0.99), PGR ($4.72), CFG ($0.75), AA ($1.73), and CSX ($0.37) today.

What Happens If Markets Tire of Trade Headlines?

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Happens If Markets Tire of Trade Headlines
  • NY Fed Inflation Expectations (Chart)

Futures are slightly higher on news that President Trump is considering a “tariff pause” for automobile imports which offset reports that China is halting U.S. aircraft imports.

Economically, the German ZEW Survey was mixed as Current Conditions were better than feared at -81.2 (E: -86.0), while Economic Sentiment badly missed at -14 (E: 10.0) which underscores the still broad sense of global economic uncertainty.

Today, focus will be on economic data early with the Empire State Manufacturing Index (-10.0) and Import & Export Prices data (E: 0.0% m/m, 0.1% m/m) due to be released before the bell.

Additionally, there is one Fed speaker to watch mid-day: Barkin (11:35 a.m. ET) and earnings season continues with several important companies reporting quarterly results including BAC ($0.81), C ($1.84), JNJ ($2.57), and UAL ($0.80).