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Economic Breaker Panel: August Update

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Sevens Report Economic Breaker Panel: August Update
  • S&P 500 Reaches Key Technical Support: Chart

Stock futures are steady this morning as this week’s rise in both the dollar and bond yields has paused while economic data in Europe was better than feared

Economically, the Eurozone Manufacturing PMI was 49.7 vs. (E) 49.0 and the Services PMI came in at 50.2 vs. (E) 49.0 which is helping ease some stagflation concerns after last week’s soft growth numbers yet stubbornly high inflation across Europe.

Looking into today’s session, the focus will be on economic data early, specifically, the PMI Composite Flash (E: 49.2) as investors will want to continue to see steady moderation and evidence of slowing growth but not an all-out crash in the data either. New Home Sales (E: 575K) will also be released shortly after the open.

Outside of the data, there is one Fed speaker on the calendar: Kashkari, but not until after the close (7:00 p.m. ET) while there is a 2-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET that could move yields.

Bottom line, news flow has not been decidedly negative over the last few sessions and the pullback in stocks has been largely driven by the rally in the dollar and rising bond yields. So if we can see those two markets stabilize, equities should be able to stabilize today as well, especially with the S&P into solid technical support, however, if the dollar and yields both grind higher, expect further volatility in the stock market ahead of Jackson Hole.

The Latest on Taiwan and China

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • The Latest on Taiwan and China
  • JOLTS Decline But Remain Historically Elevated
  • Big One-Day Reversal in the 10-Year Yield: Chart

Stock futures are trading cautiously higher this morning as geopolitical angst is easing after Pelosi’s departure from Taiwan while economic data was mostly positive overnight.

Chinese and EU Composite PMIs for July topped estimates while Eurozone PPI was no worse than feared and that data is helping some of the hawkish fears from Tuesday unwind.

Looking into today’s session, earnings season is beginning to wind down but there are still a few notable reports due out today: MRNA ($4.50), CVS ($2.16), YUM ($1.08), HOOD (-$0.36), EBAY ($0.89), and MGM ($0.24).

However, the market’s main focus will be on economic data today with ISM Services Index (E: 53.0) and Factory Orders (E: 1.1%) both due out shortly after the open while there is one Fed speaker: Harker (10:30 a.m. ET).

Investors will want to see still solid growth numbers in the data, further easing in inflation readings, and hopefully a less hawkish tone out of the Fed if the July relief rally is going to extend into August.

Have Bond Yields Peaked?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Are Stocks Starting to Signal Bond Yields Have Peaked?
  • Growth Is Beginning to Outperform Value; Will It Last?
  • Oil Tumbles Through Technical Trend Support: Chart

Futures are flat while international markets were mixed overnight as investors continue to weigh recession fears against a slightly less hawkish shift in monetary policy expectations.

The 10s-2s yield curve spread notably inverted overnight as the odds of a recession in the quarters ahead continue to rise.

Economically, Eurozone Retail Sales edged up just 0.2% vs. (E) 0.4% in May which was the latest data point to show a slowdown in consumer spending amid high inflation, further compounding worries about global growth.

Looking into today’s session, there is one Fed speaker ahead of the bell (Williams at 9:00 a.m. ET) and the focus will be on economic data with the ISM Services Index (E: 54.8) and JOLTS (E: 11.250M) both due out shortly after the open.

The market will want to see a continued moderation in growth to show the Fed’s policy actions are working to slow demand, but not too weak to suggest we are quickly fading into a recession.

From there, the focus will shift to the release of the June FOMC Meeting Minutes at 2:00 p.m. ET as investors look for new insight into the Fed’s view of the economy and potential clues as to whether we have reached “peak hawkishness” yet, or not. If there is evidence peak hawkishness is behind us, yesterday’s risk-on money flows could continue today.

What to Make of Yesterday’s Drop & Jobs Report Preview

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What to Make of Yesterday’s Drop
  • Jobs Report Preview
  • Natural Gas Update

Futures are slightly lower as markets digest the whiplash of the past two trading days following a mostly quiet night.

German economic data again badly missed estimates as German Industrial Production fell –3.9% vs. (E) -1.0% and fears of outright stagflation in the EU are rising quickly.

Today focus will be on the Jobs Report and estimates are as follows:  Job Adds: 400K, UE Rate: 3.6%, Wages: 0.4% m/m, 5.5% y/y.  This market needs a “Goldilocks” report that’s subdued on wages and with job adds modestly below the estimate of 400k.  If markets get that Goldilocks jobs report it should help stocks stabilize.  If the report ends up “Too Hot” though, especially on wages, brace for more selling.

There are also numerous Fed speakers today including: Williams (9:15 a.m. ET), Kashkari (11:00 a.m. ET), Bostic (3:20 p.m. ET), Waller and Bullard (7:15 p.m. ET) and Daly (8:00 p.m. ET).  Don’t be surprised if they all sound more hawkish than Powell did on Wednesday.  Remember, it appears the Fed’s tactic is to “Talk Tough” on looming rate hikes and inflation, yet be more measured on actual rate hikes than rhetoric would suggest.  Regardless, if there’s a consistent chorus of hawkish commentary, that will likely weigh on stocks, at least partially.

Tom Essaye Quoted in CNBC on April 26, 2022

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Treasury yields fall as economic slowdown fears mount

Growth scares will cause a temporary decline in yields but unless there’s a real threat of a global slowdown (which there isn’t yet) then the direction of global yields remains higher, and we again think it’s just a matter of time until the 10-year yield hits 3%…Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report, said in a research note. Click here to read the full article.

Why Yields Have Risen So Sharply

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Understanding Why Longer-Duration Yields Are Rising So Sharply
  • Chart – Dollar Index Hits New Multiyear Highs

Futures declined overnight as NFLX dropped sharply on disappointing earnings (specifically declining subscribers) but a pullback in yields has helped the market stabilize in early morning trade.

Economically, German PPI was the latest hot inflation print as the headline spiked 4.9% vs. (E) 2.3% M/M.

Looking into today’s session, there is a slew of potential catalysts for the market beginning with another report on the housing market: Existing Home Sales (E: 5.86M) and then a busy Fed speaker circuit with: Daly (10:30 a.m. ET), Evans (11:30 a.m. ET), and Bostic (1:00 p.m. ET) all scheduled to speak.

There is also a 20-Yr Treasury Bond auction at 1:00 p.m. ET that could move yields and impact equity markets.

Finally, earnings season continues today with: PG ($1.29) ahead of the bell and TSLA ($2.27), UAL (-$4.15), AA ($2.99), and CSX ($0.38) due to report after the close.

Earnings In Focus

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Bottom Line – Earnings In Focus
  • Natural Gas Update

Stock futures are trading lower after another quiet night of news as bond yields hit new multi-year highs overnight while investors look ahead to a fresh set of earnings reports today.

The 10-year Treasury Note yield notably tested 2.90% overnight following hawkish commentary from the Fed’s Bullard, who mentioned the possibility of a 75 basis point hike late yesterday.

Looking into today’s session, there is just one economic report to watch: Housing Starts and Permits (E: 1.75M, 1.83M) but it is not likely to move markets. Then there is one Fed speaker mid-day: Evans (12:05 p.m. ET).

Finally, earnings season continues to pick up today with JNJ ($0.34), LMT ($6.22), TRV ($3.70), and CFG ($0.96) reporting before the open and NFLX ($2.92) and IBM ($1.34) due to report after the closing bell.

Tom Essaye Interviewed by Yahoo Finance on November 15, 2021

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Market Recap: Monday, November 15: Stocks drop as tech leads losses, 10-year yield tops 1.6%

I think what it is, is essentially that the bond market is looking past this transitory spike in inflation…said Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research. Click here to watch the full interview.

Sector Winners from the Infrastructure Bill

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Sector Winners from the Infrastructure Bill

Futures are slightly higher following a generally quiet night of news as global yields are again little changed.

10 year Treasury yields are up two basis points to 1.59% and that small move is helping futures to slightly rally.

Economic data was sparse as the only notable report was Euro Zone Industrial Production which fell –0.2% vs. (E) -0.6% but that number isn’t moving markets.

Focus today will be on economic data, and specifically the inflation expectations component of the Consumer Sentiment report.  If inflation expectations rise above 5% for next year and above 3% for the next five years, that will get the Fed’s attention and likely push yields higher.  The other economic report this morning is JOLTS (E: 10.1M) and we have one Fed speaker, Williams at 12:10 p.m. ET.

Why Stocks Dropped Yesterday (It Wasn’t CPI)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Stocks Dropped Yesterday (It Wasn’t CPI)
  • EIA Analysis and Oil Market Update

Futures are enjoying a mild bounce following Wednesday’s losses as global yields are stable while U.S. bond markets are closed.

10 year Bund and GILT yields are little changed and that, combined with the bond market closure in the U.S., is allowing stocks to rebound.

Economically, British IP missed estimates (-0.4% vs. (E) 0.1%) while monthly GDP slightly beat (0.6% vs. (E) 0.5%).

Today is Veterans Day and as such, the bond markets are closed and there will be no economic reports and no Fed speakers.  So, GILT and Bund yields will partially dictate trading and as long as they don’t rise, stocks can continue this early rebound from yesterday’s losses.