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Why Stocks Rallied Yesterday (It’s Not the U.S./U.K. Trade Deal)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Stocks Rallied Yesterday (It’s Not the U.S./U.K. Trade Deal)
  • Trump vs. Powell

Futures are modestly higher and are extending Thursday’s rally on more trade optimism.

Multiple media outlets boosted expectations for tariff relief at this weekend’s U.S./China meeting in Geneva.

Bloomberg and other media outlets are expecting tariffs on Chinese imports to be reduced to 50% or 60% (from the current 145%).

Today there are no notable economic reports but there are several Fed speakers including (in order of importance): Williams (11:30 a.m. ET), Waller (11:30 a.m. ET), Barkin (8:30 a.m. ET) and Goolsbee (10:00 a.m. ET).  However, unless Williams is hawkish, their comments shouldn’t move markets.

Instead, trade anticipation should drive trading today and specifically any “chatter” about expectations for this weekend’s U.S./China trade meeting in Geneva (more optimism will push stocks higher while any negative commentary will pressure them).

Monthly Bitcoin & Crypto Update

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Monthly Bitcoin & Crypto Update

Futures are higher on news the U.S. and China will hold preliminary trade talks in Switzerland Saturday which offset soft tech earnings from SMCI as focus turns to the Fed.

Economically, German Manufacturing Orders jumped 3.6% vs. (E) 1.0% while EU Retail Sales fell -0.1% vs. (E) 0.0%.

Looking ahead to the U.S. session, there is one economic report this afternoon: Consumer Credit (E: $10.0B), but the data is unlikely to move markets given the afternoon Fed decision.

Trader focus will be on any trade headlines this morning before attention turns to the Fed with the FOMC Announcement (2:00 p.m. ET), and Fed Chair Press Conference (2:30 p.m. ET) mid-afternoon.

There are some more late season earnings releases to watch that could move markets in pre-market/after-hours trade including: UBER ($0.51), DIS ($1.18), GOLD ($0.29), CVNA ($0.75), OXY ($0.73), and CLF ($-0.78).

Bottom line, focus is on the Fed today and while no change in the policy rate is expected, traders will be scrutinizing the meeting statement for any changes regarding economic uncertainty or hints on when the FOMC may lower rates next during Powell’s press conference. The more dovish the language and commentary, the better for equities today.

The market may react with a “sell the fact” scenario

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The market may react with a “sell the fact” scenario: Tom Essaye Quoted in GuruFocus

Trade Uncertainty Looms Over S&P 500 Despite Recent Gains

Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research, noted that the Trump administration has significantly weakened the April 2 tariff statement, delaying implementation and exempting key import categories such as chips, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and automobiles. Although the market has recovered losses post “Liberation Day,” the S&P 500 is still down 3.9% for the year despite a nine-day rally, the longest since November 2004.

Essaye warns that when a trade agreement is finally announced, the market may react with a “sell the fact” scenario. Although trade tensions appear to be easing, new tariffs remain higher than January levels, posing growth headwinds.

Essaye suggests shifting to defensive sectors like utilities, consumer staples, and healthcare for risk mitigation. He also recommends diversified investments through the Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (RSP) and favors low volatility funds like iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) and high-quality stock funds (QUAL).

Also, click here to view the full article featured on MSN GuruFocus, published on May 5th, 2025. 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.

The “more forceful” a signal of a rate cut in June “the better

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The “more forceful” a signal of a rate cut in June “the better: Sevens Report Analysts Quoted in Investing.com

Investors likely to focus on potential Fed June rate cut guidance – Sevens Report

In a note to clients, the Sevens Report analysts said the “more forceful” a signal of a rate cut in June “the better”, adding that they will also be noting how U.S. President Donald Trump reacts to the Fed’s latest decision.

“It is widely known and expected that the Fed won’t cut rates [in May], but despite that being the consensus expectation, the lack of action may draw the wrath of President Trump,” the Sevens Report analysts wrote.

Also, click here to view the full article featured on Investing.com published on May 6th, 2025. 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.

FOMC Preview

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • FOMC Preview
  • ISM Services PMI Takeaways – Resilience Points to Soft Landing

Stock futures are lower thanks to a combination of weak earnings news and disappointing economic data overnight.

On the earnings front, PLTR missed estimates (shares down -8% in premarket trading) while F pulled 2025 guidance noting a tariff impact estimated to be -$2.5B on this year’s earnings.

Economically, China’s Service PMI fell to 50.7 vs. (E) 51.8 in April which dragged the Composite PMI down from 51.8 to 51.1, highlighting the negative impact the global trade war is having on the Chinese economy.

Looking into today’s session, there is one economic report to watch: International Trade Balance (E: -$136.3B). Typically, trade data is now widely followed, however given the trade war, a deeper than anticipated deficit could bolster recession angst.

Moving to the afternoon, the Treasury will hold a 6-Week Bill auction at 11:30 a.m. ET and a 10-Yr Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET. The outcome of the former could shed light on near-term rate-cut odds while the latter auction could offer insight into growth and inflation expectations.

Finally, some late season earnings are due out today including: MAR ($2.27), CEG ($2.14), AMD ($0.75), SMCI ($0.21), and ET ($0.33).

Bottom line, good economic news and dovish money flows in Treasury auctions could help stabilize markets as the Fed meeting gets underway in Washington which will likely result in a growing sense of “Fed paralysis” as the session progresses today.

Can the Rally Keep Going?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Can the Rally Keep Going?
  • Weekly Market Preview: Does the Fed Signal a June Rate Cut?  (And What Does Trump Do If Not?)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  More Signs of Slowing Growth?

Futures are moderately lower on digestion of Friday’s rally and following more tariff threats from President Trump.

President Trump threatened 100% tariffs on movies made outside the U.S., reminding investors that tariff risks remain elevated.

Oil prices are down 1% after OPEC+ increased output by 411k bbls/day starting in July (Saudi Arabia is trying to increase market share and that’s driving oil prices lower).

Today focus will be on the ISM Services PMI (E: 50.2) and if that number drops solidly below 50, we will see economic anxiety rise (the stronger this number, the better).

Earnings season is practically over but there are still some notable reports to watch, including: ON ($0.51) and PLTR ($0.08).

A ‘sell-the-news’ move

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A ‘sell-the-news’ move: Tom Essaye Quoted in Investor’s Business Daily

Dow Jones Breaks Winning Streak On Trump Tariff Move; Nvidia, Tesla Fall As Palantir Sinks

Tom Essaye, founder and president of Sevens Report Research, cautioned that much of Trump’s backtracking on tariffs may already be priced in.

“A ‘sell-the-news’ move once some trade deals are announced” may lead to some more volatility, Essaye said in a note to clients.

Also, click here to view the full Investor’s Business Daily article featured on MSN, published on May 5th, 2025. 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.

Gold trades in a range of 40 to 60 times the price of silver

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Gold trades in a range of 40 to 60 times the price of silver: Tom Essaye Quoted in Barron’s

Gold Prices Are Crushing Silver. Why That Could Change Soon.

More typically gold trades in a range of 40 to 60 times the price of silver, according to Tom Essaye, author of the Sevens Report, a markets newsletter. That means silver has room to catch up. “If history is a guide, the next phase of the precious-metals rally could belong to silver, not gold,” he wrote last month.

Also, click here to view the full article featured on Barron’s published on May 5th, 2025. 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.

The Trump administration has seriously backtracked on the April 2 announcement

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The Trump administration has seriously backtracked on the April 2 announcement: Tom Essaye Quoted in MarketWatch

Why the stock rally may be in trouble after the White House ‘backtracked’ on tariffs

The U.S. stock market has already priced in backtracking on the large and sweeping “liberation day” tariffs announced by President Donald Trump on April 2, making it difficult for the market to keep up its recent rally, according to Sevens Report Research.

“The Trump administration has seriously backtracked on the April 2 announcement, including a delay while negotiations take place and exempting major categories of imports,” said Tom Essaye, founder and president of Sevens Report Research, in a note Monday. As an example of tariff exemptions, Essaye pointed to computer chips, electronics, pharmaceuticals and automobiles.

“The reality of the past month post-‘liberation day’ hasn’t been as bad as feared and the market has recouped those losses,” said Essaye. “However, I do not think these events are enough to sustainably propel the S&P 500 forward and I am sticking to my general 5,100-5,500-ish range.”

Investors, worried that large tariffs will place a drag on the U.S. economy while increasing the cost of goods for consumers, have been monitoring the White House’s negotiations with its trading partners. But with backtracking on tariffs already priced into the market, Essaye cautioned that “we could even see a ‘sell-the-news’ move once some trade deals are announced.”

Also, click here to view the full article featured on MarketWatch published on May 5th, 2025. 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.

Jobs Day

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Jobs Day
  • Will “Sell in May and Go Away” Work This Year?
  • Interesting Signal from the VIX

Futures are modestly higher as positive trade comments from China offset disappointing earnings overnight.

China’s Commerce Ministry issued a statement saying it was potentially open to trade talks with the U.S., stoking speculation that trade negotiations will begin soon.

Earnings overnight were soft as AAPL (down 3% pre-market) and AMZN (-1.3% pre-market) both disappointed.

Today focus will be on the jobs report and expectations are as follows:  130K Job-Adds, 4.2% Unemployment Rate, 3.9% y/y Wage Growth.  Put simply, the stronger this number, the better, as it’s almost impossible that it’ll come in too hot while a strong number (ideally with tame wages) will push back on stagflation fears.

On earnings, the peak of the season is now behind us (on balance it’s been better than feared) but there are a few notable reports to watch today: XOM ($1.74), CI ($6.39), CVX ($2.15).