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Is the Yield Curve Already Forecasting a Fed Rate Cut?

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is the Yield Curve Already Forecasting a Fed Rate Cut?

Futures are slightly higher following a quiet night of news as investors digest Thursday’s declines and look ahead to the long weekend.

Economically the only notable report was Japanese CPI and it came in slightly lower than expectations at 3.7% y/y vs. (E) 3.8% y/y. but it didn’t move markets.

Today focus will be on economic data and the key reports are, in order of importance: Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.2% m/m, 4.6% y/y), University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment (E: 59.1), Durable Goods (E: -0.8%) and New Home Sales (E: 600k).   Markets will want to see further confirmation of dis-inflation in the Core PCE Price Index and the Five Year Inflation Expectations in the University of Michigan report, and if that happens it could spur a mild rally following yesterday’s declines.

Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s on October 25th, 2022

Stocks Rise A Third Day Ahead of Tech Earnings

Since Friday’s renewed hopes for peak-hawkishness, bad news is good news for markets,” wrote Sevens Report’s Tom Essaye. Click here to read the full article.

Why Stocks Dropped Last Week (And What It Means for Markets)

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Stocks Dropped Last Week
  • Weekly Market Preview:  A Key Earnings Week (Results Need to be Good)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet (Inflation in Focus Again this Week)

Futures are moderately lower on concerns about economic growth as COVID cases rose again in China while hopes for a diplomatic solution in Ukraine have all but faded.

China is continuing with its “zero COVID” policy and with cases rising again markets are fearing more shutdowns, perhaps in Beijing, which is a negative for global growth.

Russian President Putin essentially eliminated a diplomatic solution to the war, ensuring a further drawn-out conflict, which will also be a headwind on global growth.

Today there are no economic reports and no notable Fed speakers, but worries about global growth are the reason stocks dropped last week, so markets need some positive news on growth to stabilize in the near term.

On the earnings front, this is a very important week and while the most important reports don’t come out until later this week, two reports we’ll be watching today are KO ($0.58) and WHR ($4.90).

Market Multiple Levels: S&P 500 Chart

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Levels: S&P 500 Chart

Futures are solidly higher this morning after more strong tech earnings as investor focus shifts to January jobs data.

Q4 results from GOOGL and AMD handily beat estimates, sending both stocks higher by more than 10% overnight.

Economically, the Eurozone HICP Flash rose to 5.1% vs. (E) 4.3% which is rekindling some global inflation concerns.

Today, there are no Fed speakers on the calendar which will leave the focus on economic data including: the ADP Employment Report (E: 225K) and Motor Vehicle Sales (E: 12.6 million).

On the earnings front, we hear from: ABBV ($3.28), MPC ($0.47), TMO ($5.22), and CHRW ($1.85) before the open and FB ($3.78), QCOM ($3.00) and TMUS ($0.16) after the close.

Fed officials have been talking down the January jobs report so far this week, so if today’s ADP report comes in hot, that could cause another wave of hawkish money flows and equity volatility while the prospect of more upbeat tech earnings could see this week’s relief rally continue.

Why the Fed is Causing the Pullback (Not Omicron)

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why the Fed is Causing the Pullback (Not Omicron)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  All About Inflation (Key Reports Friday)
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Can tech stabilize?

Futures slightly higher following generally positive comments on Omicron over the weekend.

There were multiple articles and commentary from public health officials suggesting the Omicron variant is more contagious but produces mild symptoms. Also, existing vaccines appear to give protection against severe illness, although markets are waiting for official word from both PFE and MRNA.

Economic data was mixed as German Manufacturers Orders fell –6.9% vs. (E) -0.5% while the UK Construction PMI rose to 55.5 vs. (E) 52.0 but the numbers aren’t moving markets.

Today there are no economic reports and no Fed speakers.  Like Friday, how the Nasdaq trades will likely determine the day, as markets want to see the tech sector stabilize after intense weakness late last week.  If Nasdaq can stabilize, the broad market can bounce.

Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s on October 5, 2021

Tech Stocks and Yields Are Rising Together. That’s Not Supposed to Happen.

The yield has been rangebound between 1.46% and 1.54%. A move above that higher level could indicate the yield…writes Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research. Click here to read the full article.

As Tech Goes, So Goes the SPY (And Tech Is Facing Headwinds)

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • As Tech Goes, So Goes the SPY (And Tech Is Facing Headwinds)

Futures are enjoying a modest bounce following yesterdays’ declines after a generally quiet night of news.

Economic data was solid overnight as both EU (56.2 vs. (E) 56.1) and UK (54.9 vs. (E) 54.1) September Composite PMIs beat estimates, reflecting stability in the global economic recovery.

On inflation, Euro Zone PPI rose 1.1% vs. (E) 1.3%, implying inflation pressures could be starting to ease.

Today focus will be on economic data and specifically the ISM Services PMI (E: 60.0).  Markets will want to see stability in this number to further confirm the COVID spike in July/August didn’t have a lasting impact on the recovery.  We also get two Fed speakers today, Barkin (10:30 a.m. ET) and Quarles (1:15 p.m. ET), and markets will continue to be on the lookout for any signs of a compromise on the reconciliation/debt ceiling bill (although nothing material is expected today).

Why Tech Is Outperforming Again

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Tech Is Outperforming Again
  • A Correction to the “Is FAANGM Now GARP?” Section
  • Consumer Confidence – Chart

Stock futures are trading modestly higher this morning while international markets are mixed as inflation and taper fears continue to ease ahead of key economic data due later in the week.

The only economic report overnight was the French Business Climate Indicator which came in at 107 vs. (E) 105 but the release did not materially move markets.

Today, there are no economic reports due to be released and just one Fed official is scheduled to speak: Quarles (10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. ET).

There is a 5-Yr Treasury Note Auction at 1:00 p.m. ET and as has been the case for most of this year, any significant surprises in the results could move both stock and bond markets significantly, but that is less likely today given focus is on Friday’s inflation data.

Tom Essaye Quoted in Bloomberg on May 24, 2021

Tech Leads Gains in Stocks as Inflation Fears Ease: Markets Wrap

Until then, expect a more volatile market, but at this point, strong policy support for stocks remains very much in place, and that’s a good thing…according to Tom Essaye, a former Merrill Lynch trader who founded “The Sevens Report” newsletter. Click here to read the full article.

Tom Essaye Quoted in Barrons on May 7, 2021

Roku Pops, Peloton Jumps, and Tech Is on a Tear

“Today’s focus will be on the Employment…” writes Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report, before the jobs report emerged. Click here to read the full article.