Latest / The SPY Trader / Market Alert: Earnings, Tariffs & CPI
Transcript
- 0:00Hey there , traders , and welcome back to Spy Trader , your daily dive into the markets !
- 0:05I'm your host , Captain Candlestick , and it's 6 am on Sunday , July 13th , 2025 , Pacific .
- 0:13We're gearing up for a potentially wild week ahead , packed with major market movers .
- 0:19The US stock market is poised for some volatility as we kick off the secondquarter earnings season , get hit with crucial inflation data , and continue to grapple with those persistent concerns over escalating trade tariffs .
- 0:33While the market has shown remarkable resilience , there's a slightly bearish to cautious sentiment out there right now , with several key catalysts that could really shake things up .
- 0:43We've seen the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite hit fresh record intraday highs recently .
- 0:50But , don't get too comfortable , folks .
- 0:52There are some technical indicators , like the Relative Strength Index , showing negative divergences , hinting that the market's meltup mode might be losing a bit of steam .
- 1:02Some analysts are even calling for a ' Slightly Bearish' outlook , suggesting we could see selling pressure if economic data disappoints or if tariff talk gets even hotter .
- 1:13This upcoming week is absolutely loaded with significant economic data that will heavily influence market direction .
- 1:21We're talking about the big inflation numbers : the Consumer Price Index and Producer Price Index are both due out .
- 1:28These are super critical because the Federal Reserve has explicitly said that the potential inflationary impact of tariffs is a factor in their interest rate decisions .
- 1:38We'll also get a look at US consumer spending with the retail sales data , giving us insight into consumer health , which , as we know , is a key driver of economic growth .
- 1:50As for interest rates and the Fed , expectations for a July FOMC rate cut remain very low , practically zero .
- 1:58While many Fed officials see a path to lower rates eventually , the timing and extent are still being debated , especially with all the uncertainty from tariffs .
- 2:08Interestingly , Goldman Sachs is projecting lower 10year Treasury yields , which they believe could actually give the stock market a boost .
- 2:18On the employment front , recent jobless claims have dropped , though continuing claims did see a slight increase .
- 2:25June's payroll data surpassed expectations , indicating that we really need to see a more significant slowdown in job creation and wage growth for inflation to get closer to the Fed's 2% target .
- 2:38Trade tensions are still a dominant theme , folks .
- 2:43The Trump administration just announced a 35% tariff on Canadian imports and hinted at similar measures for the EU , on top of existing tariffs on Japan and South Korea .
- 2:55While markets have largely shrugged off previous tariff threats , their continued escalation does raise concerns about potential negative impacts on economic growth and inflation .
- 3:07Companies are reportedly planning to offset these tariff impacts through cost savings , supplier adjustments , and pricing , but the full effects might take some time to really show up .
- 3:18Looking at sector performance from the past week , it was a mixed bag .
- 3:22Energy stocks were strong , gaining nearly 3% , and the information technology sector , especially semiconductors , continued its outperformance , likely still fueled by that ongoing AI theme .
- 3:37Copper and silver also saw significant rallies after those tariff announcements .
- 3:41On the flip side , financials were down nearly 2% ahead of their earnings reports , while consumer staples like food stocks and communication services , particularly ad companies , also lagged .
- 3:54Now , for the main event : the secondquarter earnings season unofficially kicks off next week , with a barrage of S&P 500 companies set to report , starting with the major banks on Tuesday .
- 4:08Analysts are forecasting a slower earnings growth rate of 4.8% for S&P 500 companies in aggregate for Q2 , down quite a bit from 13% in Q1 2025 .
- 4:20In financials , big names like JPMorgan Chase , Citigroup , and Wells Fargo are on the docket .
- 4:26JPMorgan Chase , specifically , is expected to post strong Q2 earnings due to higher fee income , lower loanloss provisions , and robust equities trading .
- 4:38Other notable reports include Netflix , which is expected to exceed its Q2 guidance , and companies like 3M , Ally Financial , American Express , and many others .
- 4:50Given all these mixed signals and the potential for increased volatility , Captain Candlestick recommends a cautious and agile approach for the upcoming week .
- 4:59First off , prioritize risk management .
- 5:03Consider reviewing your portfolio allocations , setting clear stoploss orders , and maybe trimming positions in highly speculative assets , especially with that ' sell on the news' potential around earnings and the uncertainty of tariffs .
- 5:18Second , focus on quality and defensive sectors .
- 5:22Energy could continue to show resilience given its recent strong performance and potential tailwinds from inflationary pressures .
- 5:31Healthcare and utilities are often considered defensive and might offer stability during periods of market uncertainty .
- 5:38Highquality growth stocks , especially those benefiting from the AI theme , may still be attractive if the market's meltup persists , but vigilance is key .
- 5:48Third , monitor economic data very closely .
- 5:51Those inflation reports , CPI and PPI , are paramount .
- 5:57Higherthanexpected inflation could trigger concerns about more aggressive Fed action , even if rate cuts aren't immediately expected .
- 6:05Conversely , softer inflation data could alleviate some pressure .
- 6:09Also , a strong retail sales report could indicate robust consumer health , providing market support , while a weak report could signal an economic slowdown .
- 6:19Fourth , be extra vigilant during earnings season .
- 6:23Pay close attention to the guidance provided by major banks .
- 6:28Their commentary on loan growth , credit quality , net interest margins , and trading activity will offer crucial insights into the broader economic landscape and corporate sentiment .
- 6:39Also , listen for specific commentary from companies across various sectors regarding the impact of tariffs on their supply chains , costs , and pricing strategies .
- 6:51This will be key to understanding the realworld effects of trade policy .
- 6:56And remember that ' sell on the news' potential : even good earnings reports , especially from companies that have seen significant rallies , could be met with profittaking .
- 7:06Finally , remain highly attentive to any new announcements or shifts in trade policy .
- 7:12Unexpected escalations could lead to swift and significant market reactions , and that August 1st deadline for certain tariffs remains a point of focus .
- 7:23In summary , the US stock market next week will be a delicate balancing act between a resilient underlying bullish trend and significant headwinds from macroeconomic data , escalating trade tensions , and the start of a new earnings season .
- 7:37Investors should be prepared for increased volatility and exercise caution .
- 7:42That's all for this edition of Spy Trader .
- 7:45Stay safe out there , keep those eyes on the charts , and I'll catch you next time !