Tom Essaye Quoted in MarketWatch on January 10, 2019
Tom Eassye was quote in MarketWatch on January 10, 2019. Read the full article here.
Tom Eassye was quote in MarketWatch on January 10, 2019. Read the full article here.
What’s in Today’s Report:
Futures are seeing a modest oversold bounce following a generally quiet weekend.
If there is a “reason’ for this modest bounce in futures it was the administration trying to reassure investors over the weekend. Treasury Secretary Mnuchin tried to calm markets by 1) Stating Trump knows he can’t fire Fed Chair Powell and 2) Calling the heads of major U.S. banks to ensure there were no liquidity problems (there weren’t).
There was no notable economic data or U.S./China trade updates over the weekend.
Today there are no economic reports and no Fed speakers, and the markets close early (1:00 p.m. ET).
Sevens Report’s Tom Essaye appeared on Cheddar on December 12, 2018. He breaks down how Trump’s optimism on trade talks, and impacted the markets.
Watch the entire clip here.
What’s in Today’s Report:
US stock futures are enjoying a pre-Fed bounce this morning due to positioning and short-covering as stocks remain oversold after the steep losses Friday and Monday.
Despite the bounce in futures, news flows were actually bearish since yesterday’s close as both FDX and MU made cautious comments about slowing global growth in their respective earnings calls and both cut guidance for 2019.
In the US today, there is one economic report due to be released: Existing Home Sales (E: 5.190M) and a “beat” would be well received after the string of soft housing data points of recent, but frankly all eyes will be on the Fed and the report will not materially move markets.
The New York session is likely to be slow in the morning with traders positioning into the Fed. The FOMC Meeting Announcement and Forecasts will hit at 2:00 p.m. ET and then Fed Chair Powell’s press conference is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET.
What’s in Today’s Report:
S&P futures are bouncing this morning but only modestly so relative to yesterday’s sizeable declines in U.S. markets which weighed broadly on global shares overnight (although the losses were not as bad as feared).
Growth concerns remain the primary driver of the recent risk-off money flows and the German Ifo Survey released o/n did not help as the headline missed estimates and Business Expectations hit a four year low.
Oil is notably down almost 3% as concerns have shifted from the supply side to demand side in recent weeks and if that continues, expect further pressure on energy shares today.
Looking into today’s session, there is only one economic report to watch: Housing Starts (E: 1.22M) but if it is a “whiff” like yesterday’s Housing Market Index was, which hit a multi-year low, it could keep growth concerns elevated and prevent a material relief rally.
Aside from the one economic report, the Fed meeting begins today and investor focus is likely to turn ahead to tomorrow’s FOMC Announcement, Forecasts, and Press Conference which is one of the last major catalysts of the year.
What’s in Today’s Report:
Futures are slightly lower as markets digest Friday’s selloff following a quiet weekend.
There was no notable geo-political (i.e. U.S./China trade) or economic (global growth) news over the weekend, and investors/markets are looking ahead to Wednesday’s FOMC Decision.
Economic data was sparse but EU Core HICP (their CPI) met expectations at 1.0% yoy.
We get two economic numbers this morning via the Empire State Manufacturing Survey (E: 21.0) and Housing Market Index (E: 61.0) but neither should move markets. Investors will be looking ahead to Wednesday’s big FOMC Decision and that should lead to generally quiet trading, barring any surprise headlines or tweets. More broadly, for stocks to bounce in the near term, we need to see leadership from the tech sector, and participation from financials and energy (both of which are very, very oversold).
What’s in Today’s Report:
Futures are sharply lower (about 1%) as bad economic data is furthering worries about a slowdown in global growth.
Chinese Retail Sales (8.1% vs. (E) 9.0%) and Industrial Production (5.4% vs. (E) 5.9%) both badly missed estimates.
In Europe, the flash composite PMIs also missed expectations at 51.3 vs. (E) 52.5.
Geopolitically it was a quiet night although Chinese officials confirmed the reduction of auto tariffs to 15% from 40% (this was already pledged but it is good to see it will be enacted on Jan 1.).
Today it’s all about economic data. The numbers from China and the EU this morning were not good and fears of a global economic slowdown are rising, and we need Retail Sales (E: 0.1%) and Industrial Production (E: 0.3%) to push back on that narrative, otherwise today could be another ugly day.
What’s in Today’s Report:
Futures are enjoying a bounce this morning after top economic officials from the US and China held a conference call o/n regarding the next stages of trade negotiations.
Economically, the German ZEW Survey was mixed as the Current Conditions reading badly missed at 45.3 vs. (E) 55.0 but Business Expectations were not as bad as feared: -17.5 vs. (E) -26.0.
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index was a disappointment this morning with the headline coming in at 104.8 vs. (E) 107.0, the lowest headline since May.
Looking at the calendar today, the catalyst list is fairly thin as there is only one economic report: PPI (E: 0.0%) however inflation has been an important topic recently and a material “miss” or “beat” could move markets. Meanwhile there are no Fed officials scheduled to speak.
That will leave the primary focus of the market on U.S.-China trade relations including any further developments or details from last night’s “trade call” as well as the Huawei CFO’s bail hearing in Canada.
Bottom line, as long as we see more positive trade headlines, sentiment should improve and trade optimism will likely continue to act as a near term tailwind for markets.
What’s in Today’s Report:
Futures are modestly lower as markets digest yesterday’s late day rally and look ahead to this morning’s jobs report.
Geopolitically, initial reports imply the U.S./China trade talks will continue despite the Huawei CFO arrest, which if confirmed is clearly a positive.
Global economic data was mixed again as Chinese currency reserves beat estimates while German IP missed. But, neither number is moving markets this morning.
Today is all about the jobs report and given sudden uncertainty on Fed policy (will they pause?) this jobs report is now the most important one of the year. Expectations are as follows: Job Adds: (E) 190K, UE Rate: (E) 3.7%, Wages (E) 3.2% yoy), and the best outcome for stocks is a “mild miss” across all three segments.
Away from the jobs report we also get Consumer Sentiment (E: 97.4) and one Fed speakers, Brainard (12:15 p.m. ET).