Posts

Why Stocks Are Falling (It’s Not Just the Fed)

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Stocks Are Falling (It’s Not Just the Fed)

Futures are sharply lower on momentum from Thursday’s selling as investors further digest the hawkish ECB decision and yesterday’s lackluster economic data.

Despite weaker stock prices this morning, economic data overnight was mildly encouraging.  EU and UK December flash PMIs both slightly beat estimates while the EU HICP wasn’t any worse than feared at 10.1% y/y.

Today there are two important economic reports, the Flash Manufacturing PMI (E: 47.7) and Flash Services PMI (E: 46.5) and markets will need to see those data points show 1) Resilient activity and 2) Declining price pressures (more dis-inflation) if they are going to help stocks stabilize.  We also get one Fed speaker, Daly (12:00 p.m. ET), but she shouldn’t move markets.

Finally, today is a Quadruple Witching options expiration and it could cause some intense volatility as many traders had been positioned for a year-end rally, and as those hopes are being dashed, some book-squaring is likely in order.  Point being, don’t be surprised by an uptick in volatility this afternoon and into the close.

What the Fed Decision Means for Markets

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What the Fed Decision Means for Markets
  • Why Stocks Didn’t Fall More Yesterday Despite the Hawkish Fed (Important)
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are sharply lower as markets digest yesterday’s Fed decision and a deluge of global central bank rate hikes.

By the time stocks open today, seven separate global central banks (including the Fed, ECB, BOE and Swiss National Bank) will have hiked rates over the last 24 hours and while it was all expected, it’s still weighing on sentiment.

Today will be a very busy day of central bank decisions and economic data.  First, we get the BOE Rate Decision (E: 50 bps hike) and ECB Rate Decision (E: 50 bps hike) and the keys there will be the commentary (do either central bank hint that they’re close to the end of tightening).

On the economic front, the key reports today are (in order of importance): Philly Fed Manufacturing Index (E: -9.9), Empire State Manufacturing Index (E: -0.4), Jobless Claims (E: 230K), Retail Sales (E: -0.2%) and Industrial Production (E: 0.1%).  If the data can show moderation and easing price pressures (especially in Empire and Philly) that’ll be a positive for stocks.

Sevens Report Analysts Quoted in Market Watch on December 12th, 2022

/in , /by

Oil ends higher as a major pipeline shutdown and improving Chinese demand outlook feed supply worries

Oil traded lower into the weekend, but the pace of declines “slowed as WTI approached technical support between $70 and $72,” said analysts at Sevens Report Research in Monday’s newsletter. Click here to read the full article.

Tom Essaye Quoted in Blockworks on December 9th, 2022

/in , /by

Volatility Index Paints a Gloomy Picture for Bitcoin, Equities

“We remain in a liquidation phase of the market cycle during which more sophisticated, institutional investors are selling their long-term equity holdings,” Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research said. Click here to read the full article.

CPI Takeaways and Updated FOMC Preview

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Does the CPI Report Mean for Markets?
  • FOMC Preview: Post CPI Report (Encore Edition)
  • Fibonacci Retracement Levels Remain Pivotal for the S&P 500 – Chart

S&P 500 futures are little changed, notably hovering within a few points of their pre-CPI levels from yesterday as traders await the December Fed decision.

Economically, U.K. CPI favorably dropped sharply from 2.0% in October to 0.4% in November, below estimates of 0.6% in the latest sign of easing global inflation pressures.

China is moving forward with economic/Covid policy meetings this week after previously saying they would be postponed pointing to a potential reopening occurring sooner than later.

Today, there is just one economic report due early in the day: Import & Export Prices (E: -0.5%, -0.6%) but unless there is a huge surprise the numbers are not likely to have an impact on equities with the Fed looming.

Turning to the Fed, the FOMC Announcement will hit the wires at 2:00 p.m. ET with markets pricing in a high likelihood of a 50 bp hike while the market will be focused on the “dot plot.” A terminal rate of 5% or above will be viewed as hawkish and likely weigh on stocks.

Finally, Fed Chair Powell’s Press Conference is at 2:30 p.m. ET and his tone could very well decide the final direction of stocks into the close today (a stubbornly hawkish stance remains a threat to equities and other risk assets right now).

CPI Day and FOMC Preview

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • FOMC Preview
  • CPI Preview (Abbreviated Version)
  • Chart – NY Fed Survey Inflation Expectations Fall Sharply

Stock futures are extending yesterday’s gains as traders await today’s CPI report amid mixed news from overnight.

In China, a $143B stimulus package aimed at the semiconductor industry helped offset the delay of an economic/Covid policy meeting due to a surge in Covid cases.

Economic data was mixed overnight but there were no surprises material enough to derail the tentative pre-CPI rally this morning.

Today, traders will be keenly focused on the November CPI report at 8:30 a.m. ET with the headline expected to come in at 0.3% M/M and 7.3% Y/Y while the Core figure is expected to be 0.4% M/M and 6.1% Y/Y. Bottom line, a print below 7.3% on the headline and below 6.1% in the core figure will be well received by investors but an upside miss in either could trigger a sharp reversal of this most recent move higher in the broader stock market.

Once markets digest the CPI report, money flows are likely to take on a positioning tone with tomorrow’s Fed decision looming and a limited list of catalysts for the remainder of the day. There is a 30-Yr Treasury Bond auction at 1:00 p.m. ET that could move rates and have a mild impact on stocks.

Sevens Report Analysts Quoted in MarketWatch on December 7th, 2022

/in , /by

Gold futures up a second straight session, but hold below $1,800 an ounce

The technical outlook remains bullish for gold near term, but “if we see rates and the dollar begin to rise, we are likely to see much of the November rally retraced in the weeks ahead,” analysts at Sevens Report Research wrote in Wednesday’s newsletter. Click here to read the full article.

A Make of Break Week for Stocks and Bonds

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • A Make or Break Week for Stocks and Bonds
  • CPI Preview:  Good, Bad & Ugly
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Year-End Rally?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Fed Decision Wednesday and CPI Tomorrow are the key events.

Futures are slightly higher as China continues to remove COVID restrictions.  The rest of the weekend was quiet from a macroeconomic perspective.

China announced it will deactivate its COVID tracking app in the latest signal that it is gradually abandoning the “Zero COVID” policy.

Economically, reports were sparse but UK Industrial Production (0.7% vs. (E) 0.0%) and Monthly GDP (0.5% vs. (E) 0.4%) both beat expectations.

Today the economic calendar is quiet and trading should be also, as markets look ahead to the week’s key events tomorrow (CPI) and Wednesday (FOMC Decision).

 

Annual Discounts on Sevens Report, Alpha, and Quarterly Letter

We’ve recently been contacted by advisor subscribers who wanted to use the remainder of their 2022 pre-tax research budgets to extend their current subscriptions, upgrade to an annual (and get a month free), or add a new product (Alpha or Quarterly Letter).

If you have unused pre-tax research dollars, we offer month-free discounts on all our products. If you want to extend current subscriptions or save money by upgrading to an annual subscription (across any Sevens Report product), please email info@sevensreport.com.

Is the VIX Broken?

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is the VIX Broken?

Futures are modestly higher following in-line inflation readings from China and more gridlock in Washington as markets look ahead to today’s inflation readings.

Chinese CPI met expectations rising 1.6% and that benign reading will keep stimulus coming in that economy.

Politically, Arizona Senator Sinema left the Democrat party and registered as an independent, although the move is unlikely to change her voting patterns.

Today focus will be on inflation data, specifically PPI (E: 0.2% m/m, 7.2% y/y) and the University of Michigan Five Year Inflation Expectations (E: 3.0%).  If those reports come in under expectations and further hint at dis-inflation, it will extend the early rally.

If Inflation Drops and Growth Slows, What Benefits?

/in , /by

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • If Inflation Drops and Growth Slows, What Benefits? (Answer Inside)
  • Why the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index Was Important yesterday
  • EIA and Oil Market Analysis

Futures are marginally higher on additional China reopening headlines, although China embarking on a re-opening process is now well known and mostly priced into stocks.

The South China Morning Post reported that Hong Kong will ease isolation rules for COVID-positive residents and travelers, in what is the latest step towards reopening.

Economic data was sparse overnight and the only notable report was Japanese GDP which slightly beat estimates (-0.2% vs. (E) -0.3%).

Today’s focus will be on weekly Jobless Claims (E: 228K) as markets need to see further deterioration in the labor market to move the Fed closer to an ultimate “pivot.”  Any move towards 250k in should be welcomed by markets.