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Six Market Questions Answered

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • How to Explain This Market to Clients (Six Investor Questions Answered)
  • Weekly Market Preview: Is the Q1’25 Correction Over?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat-Sheet: Focus on PMIs and PCE

U.S. stock futures are higher this morning as easing trade war angst is overshadowing soft EU economic data.

A Bloomberg article published on Saturday suggested that the Trump administration’s April 2nd tariff package would be more “targeted” in nature, a welcomed, positive trade war headline which is supporting risk-on money flows to start the week.

Economically, the Eurozone’s latest PMI Composite Flash rose to 50.4 vs. (E) 50.5 as weakness in Services offset strength in Manufacturing which is sending some mixed signals about the health of the EU economy.

Looking ahead to today’s session, investor focus in the U.S. will be on economic data early as the U.S. Composite PMI Flash is due out shortly after the bell with the Manufacturing PMI seen easing to 51.8 while the Services PMI is expected to firm to 51.2. investors will want to see a “Goldilocks” data that neither prompts hawkish money flows nor rekindles growth worries.

Additionally, there are two Fed speakers to watch: Bostic (1:45 p.m. ET) and Barr (3:10 p.m. ET) as well as a few late-season earnings reports due out from LUNR ($-0.08) and KBH ($1.56) but those catalysts are less likely to move markets  that the early economic data.

What the Fed Decision Means for Markets

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What the Fed Decision Means for Markets

Futures are moderately lower as markets digest and give back some of Wednesday’s post-Fed rally, following a generally quiet night of news.

There were no new tariff headlines overnight while economic data (UK Labour Market Report) met expectations.

Today focus will turn back to economic data and there are several notable reports including, in order of importance, Jobless Claims (E: 225K), Philly Fed (E: 11.5), Existing Home Sales (E: 3.95 million) and Leading Indicators (E: -0.2%).  Given rising economic worries, the stronger these reports (especially the first two) the better.

There are also several important earnings reports to watch today including ACN ($2.84), MU ($1.44), NKE ($0.28), FDX ($4.66), PDD ($2.56).  Given recent soft guidance from various companies, the stronger the results and guidance, the better for markets.

Bullish News for European Stocks

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Bullish News for European Stocks
  • Why Did Stocks Drop?
  • Chart: Long-Term Bearish Reversal in Dow Theory

Futures are rebounding from yesterday’s ~1% pullback amid progress towards a ceasefire deal between Russia and Ukraine, “cool” inflation data overseas, and trader positioning into the Fed decision this afternoon.

Economically, Eurozone HICP (their CPI equivalent) fell from 2.5% Y/Y to 2.3% vs. (E) 2.4% in February, which is being well received by investors in pre-market trade as the Fed decision comes into focus.

There are no notable economic reports today although there is a 4-Month Treasury Bill auction at 11:30 a.m. ET that could shed light on near-term Fed policy rate expectations with the Fed announcement and Powell’s press conference looming later this afternoon.

The FOMC meeting announcement will hit the wires at 2:00 p.m. ET shortly before Fed Chair Powell’s mid-afternoon press conference (2:30 p.m. ET) which will almost certainly be the “main event” of the trading session as investors look for clarity on monetary policy outlook given the recent escalation in trade war developments and the subsequent sense of market uncertainty that has come with it.

Finally, while earnings season is winding down, there are a few consumer-focused companies reporting quarterly results today: WSM ($2.91), GIS ($0.95), and FIVE ($3.38).

Separating Short and Long-Term Market Views

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Separating Short and Long-Term Market Views

Futures are little changed following a quiet night of news as investors look ahead to trade meetings and data.

Economically, the only notable report was Euro Zone Industrial Production and it slightly missed expectations (0.8% vs. (E) 1.0%).

Politically, focus will be on two events today, the USMCA renegotiation talks between U.S. and Canadian officials and progress on avoiding a government shutdown on Friday.

Outside of trade and politics, today there are two important economic reports:  Jobless Claims (E: 230K) and PPI (E: 0.3% m/m, 3.4% y/y).  Because of rising stagflation worries, investors will want to see better than expected numbers from both reports, while a jump in jobless claims would increase growth concerns and hotter than expected PPI would raise fears tariffs are boosting inflation (tariff price pressures will show up in PPI before CPI).

March Market Multiple Table Update

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Table (March Update)
  • NY Fed Consumer Inflation Expectations Takeaways

Futures are trading with tentative gains as markets attempt to stabilize from the S&P 500’s ~6% early-March pullback after a mostly quiet night of macroeconomic and geopolitical news.

Economic data was mostly disappointing overnight as Japanese Household Spending fell -4.5% vs. (E) -1.5% m/m in January while the February NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell from 102.8 to 100.7 vs. (E) of 101.0, but neither data point is materially moving markets.

Today, we will get one economic report on the labor market: JOLTS (E: 7.5 million), but it is a lagging data point and therefor will only move markets if there is a meaningful deviation from expectations.

Moving into the afternoon, there is a 3-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET, and if demand is weak (yields move higher) then stocks could come for sale amid hawkish money flows.

Finally, there are a few noteworthy retailer earnings releases due out today that could shed light on consumer spending trends, including: KSS ($0.72), DKS ( $3.49). The better the corporate commentary, the better the prospects of a relief rally taking shape.

We can hope for is a churn sideways

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We can hope for is a churn sideways: Sevens Report Editor, Tom Essaye, Quoted in Barron’s

Trump Wants an Economic ‘Detox.’ What It Means for Stocks.

According to Sevens Report’s Tom Essaye, “until there’s some movement towards stable policy, the best we can hope for is a churn sideways between around 5,700 and 6,000 in the S&P 500.” The index broke below 5650 in morning trading Monday.

Sevens Reports’ Essaye notes that concern about tariffs so far has been worse than their effects. While it makes sense to brace for volatility, “that negative scenario is not a foregone conclusion and actual facts on the economy and earnings [are] hanging on.” he says.

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on March 11th, 2025. 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.

What’s Really Pressuring Stocks

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What’s Really Pressuring Stocks
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Does Policy Chaos Continue?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Focus on Inflation This Week (CPI Wednesday is the Key Report)

Futures are sharply lower following a quiet weekend of actual news, although political commentary did nothing to ease investor concerns about ongoing policy chaos.

President Trump, in a Fox News interview, doubled down on the current policy path and acknowledged the chance of a slowdown and that’s weighing on sentiment.

Economically, German Industrial Production slightly beat estimates but isn’t moving markets (2.0 y/y vs. (E) 1.6%).

Today focus will remain on political headlines but there is one notable economic report, New York Fed 1-Year Consumer Inflation Expectations (E: 3.0%), and if they are much higher than expected that will fuel stagflation concerns (and weigh on stocks and possibly bonds).

Trump’s comments are weighing on sentiment

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Friday’s nonfarm payrolls is the “first big report of the year”: Tom Essaye Quoted in Forbes

Stock Market Comeback Erased: S&P 500 Sinks To 6-Month Low As Trump Says Don’t ‘Watch The Stock Market’

Trump’s comments are “weighing on sentiment” and “did nothing to ease investor concerns about ongoing policy chaos,” Sevens Report founder Tom Essaye wrote in a Monday note to clients.

Also, click here to view the full Forbes article published on March 10th, 2025. 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.

Where Do We Stand With Tariffs (Updated)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Where Do We Stand With Tariffs? (Updated 3/5/25)

Futures are higher amid risk-on global money flows after U.S. Commerce Secretary Lutnick said tariffs on Mexico and Canada could be scaled back as soon as today while the Ukraine-U.S. minerals deal is also seeing progress which is easing geopolitical worries.

Economically, the Eurozone Composite PMI met estimates at 50.2 while EU PPI jumped up to 1.8% vs. (E) 1.4% in January, rekindling still simmering inflation worries.

This morning is lining up to be a busy one as there are several noteworthy and potentially market-moving economic reports due to be released beginning with the February ADP Employment Report (E: 162K). Then, shortly after the open, both Factory Orders (E: 1.4%), and the February ISM Services PMI (E: 53.0) will be released.

There are no Fed speakers today, however there is a 4-Month T-Bill auction at 11:30 a.m. ET and demand for the short-duration securities could shed light on the latest shifts in Fed policy expectations.

Finally, earnings season continues with notable reports due to be released from ANF ($3.48), MRVL ($0.59), and VSCO ($2.30).

Where Is the Trump Put?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Where Is the Trump Put?
  • Chart – NVDA Violates Support
  • Chart – Atlanta FED GDPNow Collapses to Negative Territory
  • ISM Manufacturing Index Takeaways

Futures are modestly lower as investors digest the latest developments in the emerging global trade war.

The Trump administration confirmed 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico went into effect overnight while tariffs on China were increased from 10% to 20%, prompting retaliatory trade policy actions from those nations which added to trade-war uncertainties.

Economically, the Eurozone Unemployment Rate fell to 6.2% vs. (E) 6.3% which saw global yields rise modestly.

Looking into today’s session, there is one second-tiered economic report to watch: Motor Vehicle Sales (E: 15.9 million) and one Fed speaker in the afternoon: Williams (2:20 p.m. ET).

Additionally, we will get quarterly earnings from more big-name retailers today which could shed further light on consumer spending trends including: TGT ($2.25), BBY ($2.40), JWN ($0.90), and ROST ($1.65).