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Is China the Next Japan?

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Is China the Next Japan?: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is China the Next Japan?

Futures and EU shares are lower as cautious retailer earnings guidance and heavy trade in China overnight are offsetting easing geopolitical tensions following reports that Israel would not strike Iranian oil/energy infrastructure (oil futures are down nearly 5%).

Economically, EU Industrial Production met expectations overnight while a German Economic Sentiment gauge topped estimates, but neither report is materially moving markets this morning.

Today, there is one important economic report to watch: The Empire State Manufacturing Index (E: 0.0), and two Fed officials are scheduled to speak: Daly late morning (11:30 a.m. ET) and Kugler in the early afternoon (1:05 p.m. ET).

Additionally, there are two typically lesser-followed Treasury auctions for 3-Month and 6-Month T-Bills at 11:30 a.m. ET that could shed fresh light on market expectations for Fed policy rates between now and Q2’25 which have swung sharply hawkish over the last two weeks. Strong auction would have dovish implications for the market and be well received by equity investors today.

Finally, earnings season is getting into full swing with several more big banks reporting quarterly results today: BAC ($0.78), C ($1.34), and GS ($6.85) while two members of the Dow Jones Transportation Average: UAL ($3.10) and JBHT ($1.43) are also due to report today.

Bottom line, equity markets have rallied solidly over the last week amid a combination of earnings optimism and soft-landing hopes. If any of the economic data, Fed chatter, or earnings results damage either of those narratives, expect some mild profit taking in equities today, otherwise the path of least resistance is still higher for stocks right now.

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Why Don’t Stocks Drop On Bad News?

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Why Don’t Stocks Drop On Bad News?: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Don’t Stocks Drop On Bad News
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Earnings Are the Key This Week
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Important Growth Data on Thursday

Futures are slightly higher following a quiet weekend of news as investors look ahead to the first busy week of Q3 earnings and more important economic data.

Economically, Chinese exports missed expectations and the latest stimulus announcement underwhelmed, but none of it was bad enough to reverse any more of the recent rally.

This week is full of potentially market moving events from earnings and economic data but they all come later in the week and today should be mostly quiet given it’s the Columbus Day holiday (banks and bond markets closed) and there are no notable economic reports.  We do get a few Fed speakers, however (Kashkari (9:00 a.m. ET & 5:00 p.m. ET), Waller (3:00 p.m. ET)), but they shouldn’t move markets.

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Sevens Report’s Tom Essaye also sees technical indicators flashing red

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Sevens Report’s Tom Essaye also sees technical indicators flashing red: Sevens Report Editor, Tom Essaye, Quoted in Barron’s

The Stock Market Is Rising, but So Are the Risks. What to Do Now.

Sevens Report’s Tom Essaye also sees technical indicators flashing red. The Relative Strength Index, or RSI, a momentum indicator used to identify overbought or oversold conditions, has been diverging from the S&P 500 for about six months, turning lower even as the index keeps pushing higher.

“That is a concern because it is a bearish divergence that we have repeatedly seen when lasting market tops are being established, including the early 2022 highs,” Essaye writes. “This same divergence occurred before the market peaks in 2000, 2007, and even the short-lived bear market of 2020. Bottom line, the divergence between the outright price action of the S&P 500 (hitting higher highs) and its weekly RSI indicator (establishing lower highs) is a concerning technical dynamic that warrants attention as it suggests the risks of a more pronounced pullback in the stock market is statistically elevated right now.”

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on October 9th, 2024. 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.

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Why Yesterday’s Economic Data Wasn’t That Bad

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Why Yesterday’s Economic Data Wasn’t That Bad: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Yesterday’s Economic Data Wasn’t That Bad

Futures are slightly weaker this morning as Tesla’s “Cyber Cab” event underwhelmed while investors look ahead to the start of earnings season.

Economically, German CPI and UK monthly GDP both met estimates and didn’t provide any negative surprises.

Today investors will be focused on more inflation data via PPI (E: 0.2% m/m, 1.6% y/y) and Core PPI (E: 0.2% m/m, 2.7% y/y) while there are also several Fed speakers including Goolsbee (9:45 a.m. ET), Logan (10:45 a.m. ET) and Bowman (1:10 p.m. ET).  But, barring any major surprises from PPI or those Fed officials, they shouldn’t move markets.

Additionally, focus will now turn towards earnings and that will be one of the dominant forces on markets for the next three weeks.  Key reports today include: JPM ($4.02), BLK ($10.42), WFC ($1.27), FAST ($0.52).

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October MMT Chart: Record Targets Amid a Cautious Divergence

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October MMT Chart: Record Targets Amid a Cautious Divergence: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • October MMT Update – Scenario Targets Hit Fresh Records
  • A Concerning Technical Divergence Has Emerged on the Weekly S&P 500 Chart

Futures are mildly lower as the DOJ said it was considering a breakup of GOOGL following a monopoly ruling which dragged down tech stocks overnight while international news was mixed.

Chinese equities retreated 7% on the session amid ongoing stimulus uncertainty, prompting the government to announce a press event for Saturday to address fiscal policy.

Looking into today’s session, there are no notable economic reports to watch, leaving focus on the September FOMC meeting minutes which are due to be released at 2:00 p.m. ET.

There are a slew of Fed speakers today including: Bostic (8:00 a.m. ET), Logan (9:15 a.m. ET), Goolsbee (10:30 a.m. ET), Barkin (12:15 p.m. ET), Jefferson (12:30 p.m. ET), Collins (5:00 p.m. ET), and Daly (6:00 p.m. ET).

A less-dovish tone from Fed speakers over the course of the last week contributed to the uptick in broad market volatility, so more of the same could pressure markets again today while any hint of another 50 bp rate cut in November could spark a dovish wave of risk-on money flows (unlikely, however, after Friday’s jobs report).

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October MMT Update: Positive News (But Priced In)

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How to Cut Through the Market Noise: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • October Market Multiple Table – Positive News But Priced In

U.S. futures are higher on dovish-leaning comments by the Fed’s Kugler overnight while global shares declined broadly in sympathy with a near-10% drop in Chinese shares after the latest government stimulus efforts disappointed.

Economically, German Industrial Production rose 2.9% vs. (E) 0.8% in August, helping easing EU growth worries while the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose to 91.5 but narrowly missed estimates of 91.7.

There are no notable economic reports today, however several Fed officials are scheduled to speak: Bostic (12:45 p.m. ET), Collins (4:00 p.m. ET), and Jefferson (7:30 p.m.). Based on the market’s positive reaction to Kugler’s comments in the pre-market, more dovish commentary has the potential to fuel a further relief rally today while a hawkish tone would likely weigh on stocks.

Finally, there is a 3-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET and given the hawkish money flows in the wake of last week’s ISM data and September jobs report, weak demand at the auction could send yields to new highs and further pressure equity markets.

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The port strike could disrupt the data

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The port strike could disrupt the data: Tom Essaye Quoted in Forbes

Could Dock Worker Strike Spike Inflation? Experts Are Split.

Sevens Report analyst Tom Essaye wrote Tuesday to clients any strike-related inflation uptick is ultimately just a “temporary disruption” and shouldn’t impact the view of the broader inflation picture.

“The port strike could disrupt the data, essentially creating a smoke screen for the Fed when trying to stick the soft landing,” wrote Essaye.

Also, click here to view the full Forbes article published on October 1st, 2024. 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.

Futures contracts tied to the index are telling a different story

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Futures contracts tied to the index are telling a different story: Tom Essaye Quoted in Market Watch

Why Wall Street’s ‘fear gauge’ could spike again around the election

But futures contracts tied to the index are telling a different story, and it’s one worth paying attention to, according to Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research.

The October VIX contract is trading at a premium to the November contract, an unusual development known to futures traders as “backwardation.” Typically, the VIX futures curve exhibits a smooth upward slope. But for most of this year, there has been a kink along this part of the curve.

According to Essaye, the inversion is notable not so much for its degree — the October contract was just 0.3 points above its September sibling as of early Thursday — but for its staying power. This segment of the curve has been in backwardation since the October contract started trading in February.

Also, click here to view the full MarketWatch article published on September 26th, 2024. 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.

What the Iranian Missile Strike Means for Markets

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Economic Implications of the Port Strikes: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What the Iranian Missile Strike Means for Markets
  • ISM Manufacturing Mildly Disappoints
  • JOLTS Top Estimates

Stock futures are lower amid a continued risk-off tone in markets as investors digest negative earnings news and await Israel’s response to Iran’s missile attack on Tuesday.

In corporate news, NKE earnings disappointed as sales fell 10% y/y and guidance was withdrawn ahead of a CEO change, leaving shares down 5% pre-market.

Economically, the Eurozone Unemployment Rate held steady at 6.4% in August, meeting estimates which is having little impact on markets today.

Today, investor focus will be on the ADP Employment Report (E: 121.5K) before the bell as well as a handful of Fed speakers on the schedule through the lunch hour: Hammack (9:00 a.m. ET), Musalem (10:05 a.m. ET), Bowman (11:00 a.m. ET), and Barkin (12:15 p.m. ET).

In addition to the jobs data and Fed chatter, tensions in the Middle East will remain a major focus as further deterioration in the Israel-Iran conflict is likely to weigh further on risk assets and influence flight-to-safety money flows.

Sevens Report Quarterly Letter Delivered

Our Q3’24 Quarterly Letter was delivered to subscribers. We use our strength (writing about the markets) to help you:

  • Save time (an average of 4-6 hours per quarterly letter)
  • Show you’re on top of markets with impressive, compelling market analysis.

You can view our Q2 ’24 Quarterly Letter here. To learn more about the product (including price) please click this link.

If you’re interested in subscribing, please email: info@sevensreport.com.

Join thousands 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.

Economic Implications of the Port Strikes

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Economic Implications of the Port Strikes: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Will the Port Strike Increase Hard Landing Chances
  • Fed Chair Powell’s Commentary Takeaways (Less-Dovish)

Futures are little changed this morning as investors weigh a favorable decline in EU inflation against news that a dockworkers strike has commenced at East Coast ports.

Economically, the Eurozone Manufacturing PMI fell to 45.0 vs. (E) 44.8 while the EU HICP Flash (their CPI) fell 0.4% to 1.8% vs. (E) 2.0% in September. The sub-2% headline was notably the first below-ECB-target print since 2021.

Looking into today’s session, there are several domestic economic data points that will be in focus including, in order of importance: The ISM Manufacturing PMI (E: 47.0), JOLTS (E: 7.7 million), and Construction Spending (E: -0.3%).

Additionally, there is one Fed speaker on the calendar for the late morning: Bostic (11:00 a.m. ET).

Bottom line, investors will be assessing what the market implications of the East Coast port strike will be as the situation develops today while also looking for more “goldilocks” economic data and a less-hawkish tone from Fed officials in order for the early week stock market gains to hold.

 

Sevens Report Quarterly Letter Delivered Today

Our Q3’24 Quarterly Letter will be delivered to subscribers today. We use our strength (writing about the markets) to help you:

  • Save time (an average of 4-6 hours per quarterly letter)
  • Show you’re on top of markets with impressive, compelling market analysis.

You can view our Q2 ’24 Quarterly Letter here. To learn more about the product (including price) please click this link.

If you’re interested in subscribing, please email: info@sevensreport.com.

Join thousands 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.