Stocks See Support As Bessent Calls for Big Rate Cut

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) today is up +0.40%, the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI) (DIA) is up +0.59%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) is up +0.44%.  September E-mini S&P futures (ESU25) are up +0.38%, and September E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQU25) are up +0.54%. 

The S&P 500 index and the Nasdaq 100 Index today both posted new record highs.  US stocks continue to see support from strengthening expectations for interest rate cuts through year-end as Treasury Secretary Bessent weighed in with his call for a 150-175 bp rate cut.  Stocks are seeing support from today's -4 bp decline in the 10-year T-note yield.  Meanwhile, the short end of the Treasury curve is doing even better with a -4.2 bp decline to 3.689% in the 2-year T-note yield today, adding to Tuesday's -3.8 bp decline.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent today said that interest rates are "too constrictive" and that rates "should probably be 150, 175 basis points lower." He added, "There's a very good chance of a 50 basis point cut.  We could go into a series of rate cuts here, starting with a 50 basis point rate cut in September." The Fed is currently targeting the federal funds rate in the range of 4.25%-4.50% and the effective rate is currently at 4.33%. 

The markets have started to think about the chances for a -50 basis point rate cut in September, based on Monday's largely benign CPI report and the fact that the US labor market is slowing, with average monthly payroll growth in May-July of only +35,000.  On a year-on-year basis, Tuesday's July headline CPI of +2.7% y/y was slightly weaker than expected, but the core CPI of +3.1% y/y was slightly stronger than expected.

The federal funds futures market today boosted the odds to 100% for a -25 bp rate cut in September and a slight 1% chance of a -50 bp rate cut.  The market late Tuesday was discounting the odds of a -25 bp rate cut in September at 96%, up from 40% before the July payroll report released on August 1.  The federal funds futures market is currently discounting an overall -63 bp rate cut by the end of this year to 3.70%, and an overall -133 bp rate cut to 3.00% by the end of 2026.

The markets are awaiting this Friday's Trump-Putin summit in Alaska for any progress in ending the Russian-Ukrainian war.  President Trump on Monday downplayed expectations of a breakthrough, saying the summit is a "feel-out meeting" to end the war in Ukraine.  Also, recent comments from Ukrainian President Zelenskiy dampened hopes for a quick end to the war when he rejected any talk of Ukraine ceding territory to Russia.

In recent tariff news, President Trump early Tuesday extended the tariff truce with China for another 90 days until November.  Last Wednesday, Mr. Trump announced that he will impose a 100% tariff on semiconductor imports.  Still, companies would be eligible for exemptions if they demonstrate a commitment to building their products in the US.  However, the US will levy a separate tax on imports of electronic products that employ semiconductors.  Also, Mr. Trump announced last Wednesday that he will double tariffs on US imports from India to 50% from the current 25% tariff, due to India's purchases of Russian oil.  Last Tuesday, Mr. Trump said that US tariffs on pharmaceutical imports would be announced "within the next week or so." According to Bloomberg Economics, the average US tariff will rise to 15.2% if rates are implemented as announced, up from 13.3% earlier, and significantly higher than the 2.3% in 2024 before the tariffs were announced.

The market's focus this week is on corporate earnings results and any new trade or tariff news.  On Thursday, weekly initial unemployment claims are expected to fall by -1,000 to 225,000.  Also on Thursday, the July final-demand PPI is expected to increase to +2.5% y/y from +2.3% y/y in June, and the July PPI ex-food and energy is expected to rise to +2.9% y/y from +2.6% y/y in June.  On Friday, July US retail sales are expected to climb +0.5% m/m and retail sales ex-autos are expected to rise +0.3% m/m.  Also on Friday, July manufacturing production is expected to remain unchanged m/m.  Finally, the University of Michigan's Aug US consumer sentiment index is expected to climb by +0.3 to 62.0.

Federal funds futures prices are discounting the chances for a -25 bp rate cut at 100% at the September 16-17 FOMC meeting and at 70% for a second -25 bp rate cut at the following meeting on October 28-29.

Earnings reports indicate that S&P 500 earnings for Q2 are on track to rise +9.1% y/y, much better than the pre-season expectations of +2.8% y/y and the most in four years, according to Bloomberg Intelligence.  With over 82% of S&P 500 firms having reported Q2 earnings, about 82% of companies exceeded profit estimates. 

Overseas stock markets today are higher.  The Euro Stoxx 50 is up +0.86%.  China's Shanghai Composite today rallied to a 3.75-year high and closed up +0.48%.  Japan's Nikkei Stock 225 today closed up +1.30% and posted a new record high.

Interest Rates

September 10-year T-notes (ZNU25) are up +10 ticks, and the 10-year T-note yield is down -4.1 bp at 4.248%.  T-note prices are higher as expectations strengthen for interest rate cuts through year-end. T-note prices have underlying support from Tuesday's CPI report, which was largely in line with market expectations and did not contain any nasty surprises.  The 10-year breakeven inflation expectations rate today is little changed at 2.387%, following Tuesday's -1.3 bp decline.

European government bond yields today are lower.  The 10-year German bund yield is down -4.9 bp at 2.695%.  The 10-year UK gilt yield is down -2.0 bp at 4.606%.

Swaps are discounting the chances at 7% for a -25 bp rate cut by the ECB at the September 11 policy meeting.

US Stock Movers

The Magnificent Seven are all trading higher.  Amazon (AMZN) and Tesla (TSLA) are leading the group with gains of more than +1%.

Chip stocks continue to show strength from expectations for interest rate cuts.  AMD (AMD), Align Technologies (ALGN), and ON Semiconductors (ON) are all showing gains of +3% or more.

Hanesbrands (HBI) is up +7% today, adding to Tuesday's +28% rally that occurred after the Financial Times reported Canadian-based Gildan Activewear (GIL) will acquire Hanesbrands.  The official acquisition announcement was made today, with an equity purchase amount of about $2.2 billion.  Gildan is up +12% today after Tuesday's -3.7% loss.

Palo Alto Networks (PANW) shares are up about +1% on an upgrade by Deutsche Bank to buy from hold.

C3.ai Inc (AI) is up about +1% despite a downgrade by Oppenheimer to market perform from outperform following the company's recent preliminary earnings results that were considered weak.

KinderCare Learning (KLC) is down more than -20% after disappointing Q2 results, including weaker-than-expected enrollment numbers and a reduction in full-year guidance.

Earnings Reports (8/13/2025)

Loar Holdings Inc (LOAR), Performance Food Group Co (PFGC), StandardAero Inc (SARO), Coherent Corp (COHR), Cisco Systems Inc (CSCO).