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Why Do Stocks Keep Rising? (Biggest Reason)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Do Stocks Keep Rising? (Biggest Reason)
  • Weekly Market Preview: Do tech earnings and economic growth stay strong?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet: A Busy Week Highlighted by Friday’s Jobs Report

Futures are modestly higher despite no U.S./Iran ceasefire and as AI Enthusiasm continues to support stocks.

There was no additional progress on a U.S./Iran agreement and the two sides again exchanged limited strikes but markets still expect a ceasefire agreement in the coming days.

Nvidia unveiled a new AI processor designed specifically for Windows and that is boosting tech and futures.

This week is a busy and potentially important one from an economic standpoint and it starts today with the ISM Manufacturing PMI (E: 53.3). Markets will want to see a Goldilocks reading of better than expected headline activity and tame price indices (the opposite would be stagflationary and negative for markets). We also get one Fed speaker today, Waller (8:30 a.m. ET), but he shouldn’t move markets.

Notable tech earnings continue this week including today:   SAIC ($2.26), HPE ($0.44).

 

Will a U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Be a Bullish Gamechanger?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Will a U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Be a Bullish Catalyst?
  • Weekly Economic Outlook – All Eyes on U.S. Inflation Data

Stock futures are solidly higher this morning as oil trades well below $100/barrel and Treasury yields are retreating sharply amid ongoing peace deal hopes despite reports of U.S. missile strikes on Iranian targets over the weekend.

There were no market-moving economic reports overnight leaving focus on geopolitical tensions in the Middle East after the U.S. launched military strikes against Iranian targets over the weekend. The strikes were referred to as “defensive” in nature by U.S. military leadership, however, and President Trump made optimistic comments that a peace deal with Iran is close which is helping bolster “risk-on/war-off” money flows in pre-market trade.

Today, there are a handful of economic reports to watch in the U.S. including the Case-Shiller Home Price Index (E: 1.0%), the FHFA House Price Index (E: 1.7%), and most importantly Consumer Confidence (E: 91.6) due out shortly after the bell.

There are no Fed officials scheduled to speak today however there is a 2-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET that will offer an important read on bond market sentiment after the long weekend (the stronger the demand the better for stocks).

Finally, earnings season continues today with quarterly reports due out from AZO ($36.09), ZS ($1.01), and SQM ($1.78).

 

May MMT: Fundamental Improvement But What’s Next?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • May Market Multiple Table: Fundamental Improvement But What’s Next?

Futures are lower amid “risk-off/war-on” money flows (oil and yields higher) with no reported progress towards a U.S.-Iran ceasefire ahead of key U.S. inflation data today.

Economically, German CPI met estimates at 2.9% Y/Y while the U.S. NFIB Small Business Optimism Index was little changed at 95.9 vs. (E) 96.1 in April, however the data is not materially moving markets with geopolitics remaining in focus.

Looking ahead to today’s session, the U.S. CPI (E: 0.6% m/m, 3.8% y/y) and Core CPI (E: 0.3% m/m, 2.7% y/y) release will be one of the more important domestic data points released this week, and if the number comes in hot, a sharp rise in yields could weigh heavily on stocks.

Additionally, there is one Fed speaker to watch: Goolsbee (1:00 p.m. ET) and a 10-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET, both of which have the potential to impact bond markets and influence equity price action today.

Finally, a few earnings reports to watch today include SE ($0.70), JD ($0.43), and QBTS (-$0.10). As has been the case this earnings season, the better the quarterly results, the better in this market environment.

 

A Tale of Three Markets

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • A Tale of Three Markets

Futures are moderately lower as markets await the next steps in the U.S./Iran ceasefire process while tech earnings underwhelmed overnight.

There was no new U.S./Iran news overnight as markets await the details of the next in-face U.S./Iran talks.

On earnings, IBM (down 7%) and TSLA (down 3%) underwhelmed on earnings and that’s weighing on futures.

Today focus will stay on U.S./Iran and key events now are 1) When the next face to face meeting happens (chatter implies this weekend) and 2) The dual naval blockades of the Strait of Hormuz (any hint they could end would be positive).

Away from the Strait of Hormuz, there are important economic reports today including Jobless Claims (E: 210K), the Flash Manufacturing PMI (E: 52.5) and the Flash Services PMI (E: 50.0) and the stronger the data, the better as it’ll push back on stagflation concerns.

Finally, earnings season continues to heat up and two important reports today are AXP ($4.03) and INTC ($-0.11).

 

Market Multiple Table: Renewed Optimism (Maybe a Little Too Much)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Table: Renewed Optimism (Maybe a Little Too Much)

Futures are modestly lower on digestion of Wednesday’s big rally, as there was no negative news overnight.

Geopolitically, the U.S./Iran ceasefire is holding, for now, despite conflicting reports of violations.  The next key event is Saturday’s first round of negotiations.

Economically, German Industrial Production was slightly weaker than expected (0.0% vs. (E) 0.3% y/y).

Today the primary focus of markets will stay on geopolitics and whether the ceasefire holds.  While there are conflicting headlines, the key remains President Trump.  As long as he doesn’t post that the ceasefire is off, then regardless of other headlines, it’s still on (at least from a market standpoint).

Outside of geopolitics, we do get some notable economic reports including Jobless Claims (E: 213K), Core PCE Price Index (E: 0.3% m/m, 2.9% y/y) and Final Q4 GDP (E: 0.7%).  Of the three, the Core PCE Price Index is the most important but it’s February data (so before the war).  That said, if it’s higher than expected, that will only further increase inflation anxiety (which will be a mild negative on this market).