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What More Tariffs Mean for Markets (Lower Market Multiple)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What the Tariff Threat Means for Markets (Lower Market Multiple)
  • Jobs Report Preview

Futures are modestly lower following a steep global sell-off as markets digest Thursday’s tariff threat and the “less dovish than hoped for” Fed, ahead of the jobs report.

Chinese authorities threated retaliation should the tariffs go into effect on September 1st, further escalating trade tensions, although no specifics were given.

Economically, Euro Zone retail sales beat estimates, although revisions were negative so it wasn’t a strong beat.

Today the big event is the Employment Situation Report, and expectations are as follows:  Jobs: 156K, UE Rate: 3.6%, Wages: 0.2%).  The last thing this market needs at this point is a “Too Hot” number that reduces expected Fed rate cuts, or a “Too Cold” number that increases worries about economic growth.  So, from a stock standpoint, the best case in a jobs number between 150k-200k (the higher the better) with tame wage growth and stable unemployment.  If we get that “Goldilocks” number it’ll help markets stabilize.

Tariff Preview: Good, Bad, Ugly

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Tariff Preview:  Good, Bad & Ugly

Futures are modestly lower following a night of mixed economic data and a somewhat negative trade headline.

The WSJ published a trade article that implied the chances of a near term U.S./China deal were declining, but also said a decision on the 200 bln in new tariffs was weeks away.

Economic data was mixed as German Industrial Production missed estimates (-1.1% vs. (E) 0.3%) while Japanese Household Spending beat (0.1% vs. (E) 1.0%).

Today focus will be on the jobs report, and the expectations are: Jobs (E: 195K), Unemployment (E: 3.8%) and Wages (E: 0.3% m/m, 2.8% y/y).  As has been the case for the last few jobs report, as long as we don’t have “3’s” across the board (300k job adds, 3% unemployment and 3.0% yoy wage gains) this report shouldn’t be too much of a headwind on stocks.

Finally, in addition to the jobs report we also have two Fed speakers, Rosengren (8:30 a.m. ET) and Mester (9:00 a.m. ET), but neither should move markets.

To read the full report Go Here