Where Is the Fed Put?
What’s in Today’s Report:
- Bottom Line: Powell Renomination Hearings and the Fed Put
- Chart: S&P 500 “Current Situation” Support Holds
Stock futures are extending yesterday’s afternoon rally in pre-market trade this morning as investors look ahead to Powell’s renomination hearings.
Overseas, Asian markets declined as new lockdown measures were imposed in parts of China due to rising Omicron cases while EU shares stabilized in sympathy with yesterday’s afternoon rally in U.S. markets.
Economically, the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index edged up to 98.9 vs. (E) 98.8 last month but the release is not materially impacting markets this morning.
There are no additional economic reports today but Esther George is scheduled to speak at 9:30 a.m. ET before Powell’s renomination hearings begin (10:00 a.m. ET). The market will be keenly focused on anything to do with balance sheet reduction plans and if the topic is “downplayed,” expect a further relief rally in equity markets.
Finally, there is a 3-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET and if the results are weak, sending shorter duration yields to new multi-year highs, that could become a headwind for high valuation tech names and weigh on the broader stock market again.
