Trading Update: Wednesday December 20, 2023
S&P Emini pre-open market analysis
Emini daily chart
- The Emini formed a strong bull trend bar yesterday, closing near its high.
- The market is around 140 points away from the 20–period moving average. This is climactic behavior late in a trend that began in early November.
- The bulls will likely not be eager to buy this far from the average price (moving average). This increases the odds of a pullback to the moving average.
- The moving average is a reflection of the average price. Traders buying right now are being forced to pay a premium. Traders are happy to pay a premium when the momentum is strong, and it is not late in a trade.
- The bears hope they will get a sharp selloff down to the moving average, and a breakout below it.
- More likely, the downside will be limited. However, as stated above, the odds favor a test of the moving average.
- Last Friday formed an inside bar. Inside bars are triangles and often magnets, especially late in a trend. The odds favor a test of last Friday’s high within the next few days.
- There are momentum bulls who will stay long until there is a reason to exit longs. One reason would be a bear bar closing near its low or a series of 2-3 consecutive bear bars.
- If the bears get a strong bear close, it could trigger a series of bull stops, leading to a downside breakout. Those bulls selling out of longs are momentum bulls, protecting profits.
- If the bears get strong follow-through selling, more momentum bears will establish short positions.
- Overall, traders should assume that the market is going to go sideways to down and test the December 15th high (4,779.5).
Emini 5-minute chart and what to expect today
- Emini is down 10 points in the overnight Globex session.
- Today will probably close below the open of the day. This means traders should pay close attention to the open as it will likely be a magnet most of the day.
- If the bulls get a rally above the open, traders will access the strength of the move. If it looks like a leg in a trading range, with gaps close, traders will bet against the bulls.
- Traders should assume that today will have a lot of trading range price action on the open. There is only a 20% chance of a trend from the open, which means there is an 80% chance of a trading range open.
- Traders should consider not trading the first 6 – 12 bars unless they are comfortable with limit orders and making quick decisions.
- Most traders should focus on catching the opening swing that often begins before the end of the second hour. This means traders should look for the market to form a double top/bottom or a wedge top/bottom. It is common for one of the patterns mentioned above to form before the swing trade begins.
Emini intraday market update
- The Emini rallied from a bull trend from the open, testing yesterday’s high.
- The bulls are hopeful that today will have follow-through buying. However, yesterday’s high will probably find resistance above it.
- As of bar 14, the bulls have done a good job with the rally. However, there are still several hours left in the day.
- The bears need to develop more selling pressure if they are going to take control and get below yesterday’s high.
- The rally today is strong enough to make a bear trend day unlikely. This means that today is probably going to be trading range day or a bull trend day.
- The bears are hopeful that bar 13 is forming a parabolic wedge that leads to a reversal down.
Yesterday’s Emini setups
Al created the SP500 Emini charts.
Summary of today’s S&P Emini price action
Al created the SP500 Emini charts.
End of day video review
See the weekly update for a discussion of the price action on the weekly chart and for what to expect going into next week.
Trading Room
Al Brooks and other presenters talk about the detailed Emini price action real-time each day in the BrooksPriceAction.com trading room days. We offer a 2 day free trial.
Charts use Pacific Time
When times are mentioned, it is USA Pacific Time. The Emini day session charts begin at 6:30 am PT and end at 1:15 pm PT which is 15 minutes after the NYSE closes. You can read background information on the market reports on the Market Update page.