6 reasons we see risk/reward shifting favorably for equities given oversold conditions

VIDEO: There are 6 reasons stocks have overshot to the downside, including signs de-leveraging is complete

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The 6% decline in equities since early April has been painful. And there are some who believe the “top is in” for 2024, and possibly a larger “top” (for those who think the Fed potentially now pivoting “hawkish”). But in our view, the decline in equities has worked off some overbought conditions and this has considerably improved the risk/reward for stocks in the near term:

• The decline in equities has multiple drivers, but the following 5 are at the top:
  – first, the relentless 28% rise since October 2023 was due for a pause
  – second, earnings of ASML 0.21%  and TSMC triggered “red flags” on AI
  – third, the 3 most recent inflation reports triggered fears of “second wave”
  – fourth, higher inflation compels Fed to delay cuts, but markets “overshooting”
  – fifth, war risks generally elevating with conflict in Middle East
• Of the above, the only issue that could change our thesis for equities is if inflation was set to re-accelerate and thus, prompt the Fed to begin raising interest rates. This has not been our view and as discussed below, we expect the next few inflation reports (CPI and PCE) to show better progress on inflation.
• The above risks have triggered investor de-leveraging. De-leveraging in the sense that investors are reducing long positions (particularly cyclical) and even becoming outright bearish. And we had written recently that signs that this de-leveraging is nearing its nadir (or completion) would be a shift towards favorable risk/reward for stocks.
• We believe this process is further along than many realize, and we have six reasons in this report:
  – first, S&P 500 + Nasdaq 100 (SPY 0.33%  QQQ 0.76% ) are oversold to levels where “bounce” ensues – 81% win-ratio next 1M and 3M
  – second, 1-year inflation expectation, forward 1 year from now surge to >4.5%, levels previously “peak inflationista fear” and soon reverses
  – third, 1Q24 earnings season remains solid and a third report this week.
  – fourth, our base remains inflation tracking below Street view, as median core CPI at 1.76% below LT avg of 2.40%.
  – fifth, short interest surged = signs de-leveraging near end
  – sixth, Mark Newton, Head of Technical Strategy, cycle work shows 4/20 as turning point
• The % of S&P 500 stocks above the 20-day moving average (a stat frequently cited by Mark Newton) currently stands at 8%. This is an extremely oversold reading:
  – the 3 most recent readings at this level (or lower)
  – Oct 3, 2023: 6%
  – March 10, 2023: 6%
  – Sep 30, 2022: 2%
  – Each of these was a great time to be adding to equities
• Since 1994, there are 31 such instances of a reading at 8% or lower:
  – of the 31 instances, S&P 500 1M and 3M (M=month) returns
  – Forward 1M +3% (71% win-ratio) and 3M +7% (81% win-ratio)
  – 21 of 31 instances were seen during a bull market
  – Forward 1M +3% (81% win-ratio) and 3M +9% (81% win-ratio)
  – see this picture? Stocks are so oversold that bounces ensue
• The 1-year inflation, 1-year forward, is calculated using OIS. And is a way to measure the market’s expectations around future inflation:
  – 1Y1F inflation (on April 2025, what is 1-yr future inflation) = 4.533%
  – highest since the following 3 readings:
  – Oct 18, 2023
  – March 8, 2023
  – Oct 20, 2022
  – Each of the above dates is when markets priced in 4.533% or higher forward inflation
  – Recall, each of these dates lines up with the oversold conditions above
  – in other words, confirming we are at a bottoming of expectations
• Short interest has also surged and two measures are:
  – short interest is 1.8% of S&P 500 market cap per Goldman Sachs (from @Isabelnet_sa)
  – hedge fund shorting of ETF surged by largest in 20 months per Goldman Sachs (from @Barchart)
  – these are further signs deleveraging is nearing its completion
• As for the core issue of inflation, we believe looking at the median inflation rate of the Core CPI components tells a more complete picture, than just Core CPI alone:
  – Median core CPI YoY is 1.76% (vs 3.80% Core)
  – the gap is due to stubborn auto insurance and shelter (big weights/contributors)
  – since 1982, the long-term avg is 2.40% vs 1.76% now
  – the vast majority of CPI components are well controlled inflation

BOTTOM LINE: We see the risk/reward shifting favorably for equities given oversold conditions

We remain constructive on equites into YE and our S&P 500 target of 5,200 remains achievable, in our view. In fact, given the strength of delivered earnings, we see upside to our YE target. But we have not been in a rush to raise the target given it is only April.

• Do we think a larger top is in place?
• A larger top would be two primary drivers:
  – Fed shifting to outright hawkish and raises rates
  – Economy is weaker than expected and a recession is looming
• Neither is a high probability in our view
• Thus, for the 6 reasons cited above, we view the risk/reward as favorable for stocks

36 Granny Shot Ideas and 44 SMID Granny Shot Ideas: We performed our quarterly rebalance on 4/16. Full stock list here -> Click here

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Key incoming data April:

• 4/01 9:45 am ET: Mar F S&P Global Manufacturing PMI Tame
• 4/01 10:00 am ET: Mar ISM Manufacturing Mixed
• 4/02 10:00 am ET: Feb JOLTS Job Openings Tame
• 4/03 9:45 am ET: Mar F S&P Global Services PMI Tame
• 4/03 10:00 am ET: Mar ISM Services Tame
• 4/05 8:30 am ET: Mar Jobs Report Hot
• 4/05 9:00 am ET: Mar F Manheim Used Vehicle Index Tame
• 4/10 8:30 am ET: Mar CPI Hot
• 4/10 2pm ET: Mar FOMC Meeting Minutes Tame
• 4/11 8:30 am ET: Mar PPI Tame
• 4/12 10:00 am ET: Apr P U. Mich. Sentiment and Inflation Expectation Tame
• 4/15 8:30 am ET: Apr Empire Manufacturing Survey Tame
• 4/15 8:30 am ET: Mar Retail Sales Data Mixed
• 4/15 10:00 am ET: Apr NAHB Housing Market Index Tame
• 4/16 8:30 am ET: Apr New York Fed Business Activity Survey Tame
• 4/17 9:00 am ET: Apr Mid-Month Manheim Used Vehicle Index Tame
• 4/17 2:00 pm ET: Fed Releases Beige Book Tame
• 4/18 8:30 am ET: Apr Philly Fed Business Outlook Survey Tame
• 4/22 8:30 am ET: Mar Chicago Fed Nat Activity Survey
• 4/23 9:45 am ET: Apr P S&P Global PMI
• 4/25 8:30 am ET: 1QA 2024 GDP
• 4/26 8:30 am ET: Mar PCE
• 4/29 10:30 am ET: Apr Dallas Fed Manufacturing Activity Survey
• 4/30 9:00 am ET: Feb S&P CoreLogic CS home price
• 4/30 10:00 am ET: Apr Conference Board Consumer Confidence
• 4/30 10:00 am ET: Apr F U. Mich. Sentiment and Inflation Expectation

Key incoming data March:

• 3/01 9:45 am ET: Feb F S&P Global Manufacturing PMI Tame
• 3/01 10:00 am ET: Feb ISM Manufacturing Tame
• 3/01 10:00 am ET: Feb F U. Mich. Sentiment and Inflation Expectation Tame
• 3/05 9:45 am ET: Feb F S&P Global Services & Composite PMI Tame
• 3/05 10:00 am ET: Feb ISM Services Tame
• 3/06 10:00 am ET: Powell Testimony before US House Financial Services Committee Dovish
• 3/06 10:00 am ET: Jan JOLTS Job Openings Tame
• 3/06 2:00 pm ET: Fed Releases Beige Book Tame
• 3/07 8:30 am ET: 4QF 2023 Nonfarm Productivity Tame
• 3/07 9:00 am ET: Feb F Manheim Used Vehicle Index Tame
• 3/07 10:00 am ET: Powell Testimony before US Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Dovish
• 3/08 8:30 am ET: Feb Jobs Report Mixed
• 3/12 8:30 am ET: Feb CPI Slightly Hot (as anticipated)
• 3/14 8:30 am ET: Feb PPI Mixed
• 3/14 8:30 am ET: Feb Retail Sales Data Tame
• 3/15 8:30 am ET: Mar Empire Manufacturing Survey Tame
• 3/15 10:00 am ET: Mar P U. Mich. Sentiment and Inflation Expectation Tame
• 3/18 8:30 am ET: Mar New York Fed Business Activity Survey Tame
• 3/18 10:00 am ET: Mar NAHB Housing Market Index Tame
• 3/19 9:00 am ET: Mar Mid-Month Manheim Used Vehicle Index Tame
• 3/20 2:00 pm ET: Mar FOMC Rate Decision Dovish
• 3/21 8:30 am ET: Mar Philly Fed Business Outlook Survey Tame
• 3/21 9:45 am ET: Mar P S&P Global PMI Tame
• 3/25 10:30 am ET: Mar Dallas Fed Manufacturing Activity Survey Tame
• 3/26 9:00 am ET: Mar S&P CoreLogic CS home price Tame
• 3/26 10:00 am ET: Mar Conference Board Consumer Confidence Tame
• 3/28 8:30 am ET: 4QT 2023 GDP Tame
• 3/28 10:00 am ET: Mar F U. Mich. Sentiment and Inflation Expectation Tame
• 3/29 8:30 am ET: Feb PCE Tame

Key incoming data February:

• 2/01 8:30am ET 4QP 2023 Nonfarm Productivity Mixed
• 2/01 9:45am ET S&P Global Manufacturing PMI January Final Tame 
• 2/01 10am ET January ISM Manufacturing Mixed
• 2/02 8:30am ET January Jobs Report Hot
• 2/02 10am ET: U. Mich. Sentiment and Inflation Expectation January Final Tame 
• 2/05 9:45am ET S&P Global Services & Composite PMI January Final Tame 
• 2/05 10am ET January ISM Services Tame 
• 2/07 9am ET Manheim Used Vehicle Index January Final Mixed
• 2/09 CPI Revisions Tame 
• 2/13 8:30am ET January CPI  Mixed
• 2/14 PPI Revisions Tame 
• 2/15 8:30am ET February Empire Manufacturing Survey  Tame 
• 2/15 8:30am ET February Philly Fed Business Outlook Survey Tame 
• 2/15 8:30am ET January Retail Sales Data Tame 
• 2/15 10am EST February NAHB Housing Market Index  Tame 
• 2/16 8:30am ET January PPI Mixed
• 2/16 8:30am ET February New York Fed Business Activity Survey Tame 
• 2/16 10am ET U. Mich. Sentiment and Inflation Expectation February Prelim Tame 
• 2/19 9am ET Manheim Used Vehicle Index February Mid-Month Tame 
• 2/21 2pm ET January FOMC Meeting Minutes Tame 
• 2/22 9:45am ET S&P Global PMI February Prelim Tame 
• 2/26 10:30am ET February Dallas Fed Manufacturing Activity Survey Tame
• 2/27 9am ET February S&P CoreLogic CS home price Tame
• 2/27 10am ET February Conference Board Consumer Confidence Tame
• 2/28 8:30am ET 4QS 2023 GDP Tame
• 2/29 8:30am ET January PCE Tame

Key incoming data January:

• 1/02 9:45am ET S&P Global Manufacturing PMI December Final Mixed
• 1/03 10am ET December ISM Manufacturing Tame 
• 1/03 10am ET JOLTS Job Openings November Tame 
• 1/03 2pm ET December FOMC Meeting Minutes Tame 
• 1/04 9:45am ET S&P Global Services & Composite PMI December Final Tame 
• 1/05 8:30am ET December Jobs Report Mixed
• 1/05 10am ET December ISM Services Tame 
• 1/08 9am ET Manheim Used Vehicle Index December Final Tame 
• 1/11 8:30am ET December CPI Details Suggest Tame
• 1/12 8:30am ET December PPI Tame 
• 1/16 8:30am ET January Empire Manufacturing Survey Tame 
• 1/17 8:30am ET January New York Fed Business Activity Survey Tame 
• 1/17 8:30am ET December Retail Sales Data Strong
• 1/17 9am ET Manheim Used Vehicle Index January Mid-Month Tame 
• 1/17 10am EST January NAHB Housing Market Index Mixed
• 1/18 8:30am ET January Philly Fed Business Outlook Survey Tame 
• 1/19 10am ET U. Mich. Sentiment and Inflation Expectation January Prelim Tame 
• 1/24 9:45am ET S&P Global PMI January Prelim Mixed
• 1/25 8:30am ET 4QA 2023 GDP Mixed
• 1/26 8:30am ET December PCE Tame 
• 1/29 9:30am ET Dallas Fed January Manufacturing Activity Survey Tame 
• 1/30 9am ET January S&P CoreLogic CS home price Tame 
• 1/30 10am ET January Conference Board Consumer Confidence Tame 
• 1/30 10am ET JOLTS Job Openings December Mixed
• 1/31 2pm ET FOMC Rate Decision Tame 

Key incoming data December

• 12/01 9:45am ET S&P Global Manufacturing PMI November Final Tame 
• 12/01 10am ET November ISM Manufacturing Strong 
• 12/05 9:45am ET S&P Global Services & Composite PMI November Final Strong 
• 12/05 10am ET JOLTS Job Openings October Tame 
• 12/05 10am ET November ISM Services Strong 
• 12/06 8:30am ET 3QF 2023 Nonfarm Productivity Strong 
• 12/07 9am ET Manheim Used Vehicle Index November Final Tame 
• 12/08 8:30am ET November Jobs Report Tame
• 12/08 10am ET U. Mich. Sentiment and Inflation Expectation December Prelim Tame 
• 12/12 8:30am ET November CPI Tame
• 12/13 8:30am ET November PPI Tame
• 12/13 2pm ET FOMC Rate Decision Dovish
• 12/14 8:30am ET November Retail Sales Data Tame
• 12/15 8:30am ET December Empire Manufacturing Survey Tame
• 12/15 9:45am ET S&P Global PMI December Prelim Tame
• 12/18 8:30am ET December New York Fed Business Activity Survey Tame
• 12/18 10am ET December NAHB Housing Market Index Tame
• 12/19 9am ET Manheim Used Vehicle Index December Mid-Month Tame
• 12/20 10am ET December Conference Board Consumer Confidence Tame
• 12/21 8:30am ET 3QT 2023 GDP Mixed
• 12/21 8:30am ET December Philly Fed Business Outlook Survey Mixed
• 12/22 8:30am ET November PCE Tame
• 12/22 10am ET: U. Mich. Sentiment and Inflation Expectation December Final Tame
• 12/26 9am ET December S&P CoreLogic CS home price Tame
• 12/26 10:30am ET Dallas Fed December Manufacturing Activity Survey Tame
• 12/29 9:45am ET December Chicago PMI

Key incoming data November

• 11/01 9:45am ET S&P Global PMI October Final Tame
• 11/01 10am ET JOLTS Job Openings September Mixed
• 11/01 10am ET October ISM Manufacturing Tame
• 11/01 10am ET Treasury 4Q23 Quarterly Refunding Press Conference Tame
• 11/01 2pm ET FOMC Rate Decision Dovish
• 11/02 8:30am ET: 3Q23 Nonfarm Productivity Tame
• 11/03 8:30am ET October Jobs Report Tame
• 11/03 10am ET October ISM Services Mixed
• 11/07 9am ET Manheim Used Vehicle Index October Final Tame
• 11/10 10am ET U. Mich. November prelim Sentiment and Inflation Expectation Hot
• 11/14 8:30am ET October CPI Tame
• 11/15 8:30am ET October PPI Tame
• 11/15 8:30am ET November Empire Manufacturing Survey  Resilient
• 11/15 8:30am ET October Retail Sales Data Resilient
• 11/16 8:30am ET November New York Fed Business Activity Survey Tame
• 11/16 8:30am ET November Philly Fed Business Outlook Survey  Tame
• 11/16 10am ET November NAHB Housing Market Index  Tame
• 11/17 9am ET Manheim Used Vehicle Index November Mid-Month Tame
• 11/21 2pm ET Nov FOMC Meeting Minutes Tame
• 11/22 10am ET: U. Mich. November final Sentiment and Inflation Expectation Tame
• 11/24 9:45am ET S&P Global PMI November Prelim Mixed
• 11/27 10:30am ET Dallas Fed November Manufacturing Activity Survey Tame
• 11/28 9am ET November S&P CoreLogic CS home price  Tame
• 11/28 10am ET November Conference Board Consumer Confidence Tame
• 11/29 8:30am ET 3QS 2023 GDP Strong
• 11/29 2pm ET Fed Releases Beige Book Tame
• 11/30 8:30am ET October PCE Tame

Key incoming data October

• 10/2 10am ET September ISM Manufacturing Tame
•  10/3 10am ET JOLTS Job Openings August Hot
•  10/4 10am ET September ISM Services Tame
•  10/6 8:30am ET September Jobs Report Mixed
•  10/6 9am ET Manheim Used Vehicle Index September Final Tame
• 10/10 11am NY Fed Inflation Expectations Mixed
•  10/11 8:30am ET September PPI Mixed
•  10/11 2pm ET Sep FOMC Meeting Minutes Tame
•  10/12 8:30am ET September CPI Mixed
•  10/13 10am ET U. Mich. September prelim 1-yr inflation Mixed
•  10/16 8:30am ET October Empire Manufacturing Survey Tame
•  10/17 8:30am ET October New York Fed Business Activity Survey Tame
• 10/17 8:30am ET September Retail Sales Data Hot
•  10/17 9am ET Manheim October Mid-Month Used Vehicle Value Index Tame
•  10/17 10am ET October NAHB Housing Market Index Tame
• 10/18 8:30am ET September Housing Starts Tame
• 10/18 2pm ET Fed releases Beige Book Tame
•  10/19 8:30am ET October Philly Fed Business Outlook Survey Tame
• 10/19 10am ET Existing Home Sales Tame
• 10/19 12pm ET Fed (including Powell) at Economic Club of New York
•  10/24 9:45am ET S&P Global PMI October Prelim Tame
•  10/26 8:30am ET 3Q 2023 GDP Advance Strong
•  10/27 8:30am ET September PCE Tame
•  10/27 10am ET Oct F UMich Sentiment and Inflation expectation Tame
•  10/30 10:30am ET Dallas Fed September Manufacturing Activity Survey Tame
• 10/31 8:30am ET 3Q23 Employment Cost Index Mixed
•  10/31 9am ET August S&P CoreLogic CS home price Mixed
•  10/31 10am ET October Conference Board Consumer Confidence Tame

Key incoming data September

•  9/1 8:30am ET August Jobs Report Tame
•  9/1 10am ET August ISM Manufacturing Tame
•  9/6 10am ET August ISM Services Mixed
•  9/6 2pm ET Fed releases Beige Book Tame
•  9/8 9am ET Manheim Used Vehicle Index August Final Tame
•  9/8 2Q23 Fed Flow of Funds Report Tame
•   9/13 8:30am ET August CPI Mixed
•  9/14 8:30am ET August PPI Tame
•  9/15 8:30am ET September Empire Manufacturing Survey Tame
•  9/15 10am ET U. Mich. September prelim 1-yr inflation Tame
•  9/18 8:30am ET September New York Fed Business Activity Survey Tame
•  9/18 10am ET September NAHB Housing Market Index Tame
•  9/19 9am ET Manheim September Mid-Month Used Vehicle Value Index Mixed
•  9/20 2pm ET September FOMC rates decision Market saw Hawkish
•  9/21 8:30am ET September Philly Fed Business Outlook Survey Mixed
•  9/22 9:45am ET S&P Global PMI September Prelim
•  9/25 10:30am ET Dallas Fed September Manufacturing Activity Survey
•  9/26 9am ET July S&P CoreLogic CS home price
•  9/26 10am ET September Conference Board Consumer Confidence

Key incoming data August

• 8/1 10am ET July ISM Manufacturing Tame
• 8/1 10am ET JOLTS Job Openings Jun Tame
• 8/2 8:15am ADP National Employment Report Hot
• 8/3 10am ET July ISM Services Tame
• 8/4 8:30am ET July Jobs report Tame
• 8/7 11am ET Manheim Used Vehicle Index July Final Tame
• 8/10 8:30am ET July CPI Tame
• 8/11 8:30am ET July PPI Tame
• 8/11 10am ET U. Mich. July prelim 1-yr inflation Tame
• 8/11 Atlanta Fed Wage Tracker July Tame
• 8/15 8:30am ET Aug Empire Manufacturing Survey Mixed 
• 8/15 10am ET Aug NAHB Housing Market Index Tame
• 8/16 8:30am ET Aug New York Fed Business Activity Survey Neutral
• 8/16 2pm ET FOMC Minutes Mixed
• 8/17 8:30am ET Aug Philly Fed Business Outlook Survey Positive
• 8/17 Manheim Aug Mid-Month Used Vehicle Value Index Tame
• 8/23 9:45am ET S&P Global PMI Aug Prelim Weak
• 8/25 10am ET Aug Final U Mich 1-yr inflation Mixed
• 8/28 10:30am ET Dallas Fed Aug Manufacturing Activity Survey Tame
• 8/29 9am ET June S&P CoreLogic CS home price Tame
• 8/29 10am ET Aug Conference Board Consumer Confidence Tame
• 8/29 10 am ET Jul JOLTS Tame
• 8/31 8:30am ET July PCE Tame

Key incoming data July

• 7/3 10am ET June ISM Manufacturing Tame
• 7/6 8:15am ADP National Employment Report Hot
• 7/6 10am ET June ISM Services Tame
• 7/6 10 am ET May JOLTS Tame
• 7/7 8:30am ET June Jobs report Mixed
• 7/10 11am ET Manheim Used Vehicle Index June Final Tame
• 7/12 8:30am ET June CPI Tame
• 7/13 8:30am ET June PPI Tame
• 7/13 Atlanta Fed Wage Tracker June Tame
• 7/14 10am ET U. Mich. June prelim 1-yr inflation Mixed
• 7/17 8:30am July Empire Manufacturing Survey
• 7/18 8:30am July New York Fed Business Activity Survey
• 7/18 10am July NAHB Housing Market Index in-line
• 7/18 Manheim July Mid-Month Used Vehicle Value Index Tame
• 7/25 9am ET May S&P CoreLogic CS home price Tame
• 7/25 10am ET July Conference Board Consumer Confidence Tame
• 7/26 2pm ET July FOMC rates decision Tame
• 7/28 8:30am ET June PCE Tame
• 7/28 8:30am ET 2Q ECI Employment Cost Index Tame
• 7/28 10am ET July Final U Mich 1-yr inflation Tame

Key data from June

• 6/1 10am ET May ISM Manufacturing Tame
• 6/2 8:30am ET May Jobs report Tame
• 6/5 10am ET May ISM Services Tame
• 6/7 Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index May Tame
• 6/9 Atlanta Fed Wage Tracker April Tame
• 6/13 8:30am ET May CPI Tame
• 6/14 8:30am ET May PPI Tame
• 6/14 2pm ET April FOMC rates decision Tame
• 6/16 10am ET U. Mich. May prelim 1-yr inflation Tame
• 6/27 9am ET April S&P CoreLogic CS home price Tame
• 6/27 10am ET June Conference Board Consumer Confidence Tame
• 6/30 8:30am ET May PCE Tame
• 6/30 10am ET June Final U Mich 1-yr inflation Tame

Key data from May

• 5/1 10am ET April ISM Manufacturing (PMIs turn up) Positive inflection
• 5/2 10am ET Mar JOLTS Softer than consensus
• 5/3 10am ET April ISM Services Tame
• 5/3 2pm Fed May FOMC rates decision Dovish
• 5/5 8:30am ET April Jobs report Tame
• 5/5 Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index April Tame
• 5/8 2pm ET April 2023 Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey Better than feared
• 5/10 8:30am ET April CPI Tame
• 5/11 8:30am ET April PPI Tame
• 5/12 10am ET U. Mich. April prelim 1-yr inflation Tame
• 5/12 Atlanta Fed Wage Tracker April Tame
• 5/24 2pm ET May FOMC minutes Dovish
• 5/26 8:30am ET PCE April Tame
• 5/26 10am ET U. Mich. April final 1-yr inflation Tame
• 5/31 10am ET JOLTS April job openings