S&P Sets New Record High Ahead of Core PCE Data
Tune in daily to catch Bill Baruch dissecting the day’s market happenings after the bell rings. Gain insightful analysis and stay ahead in the financial game with Bill as your guide!
Do not miss Bill Baruch’s daily video posted to his Twitter (X), LinkedIn, and Instagram after the close, follow him at @Bill_Baruch.
Nvidia’s Big Test, CrowdStrike Under Pressure, Micron’s AI Growth & Banks Position for What’s Next?
E-mini S&P (September) / E-mini NQ (September)
S&P, yesterday’s close: Settled at 6517.50, up 21.50
NQ, yesterday’s close: Settled at 23,769.00, up 140.25
E-mini S&P futures set a fresh record high yesterday, but there was a lack of follow-through overnight, ahead of today’s July inflation data. The Core PCE Index is the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge and is due at 7:30 am CT. Analysts expect +2.9% y/y, up from 2.8% in June, and +0.3% m/m, equal to the rise in June. The initial print has not shown a 3.0 handle since November of 2023, and if it comes in higher than expected, it would likely have a negative impact on indices to finish off the month, as it shifts rate cut expectations. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, there is currently an 85.2% probability that the Fed will cut rates by 25bps at the September meeting. Two 25bps cuts are priced in with an 83.7% probability, and three 25bps cuts, one at each of the three meetings, are seen at a 35.6% probability.
E-mini S&P futures tested major three-star resistance at 6519 yesterday, setting a new high. This level is a Fibonacci extension and now aligns with a rising trend line resistance. Given the overnight pullback, we will also maintain major three-star resistance at 6505.50-6508.50, which is critical on a closing basis for the week and month and would mark a breakout. E-mini NQ futures hit a high of 23,803, trading within major three-star resistance at 23,770-23,845. This area of resistance aligns the selling from August 19th with the July 31st high, and if it holds, it would form a well-defined head and shoulders topping pattern.
Bias: Neutral/Bearish
Resistance: 6505.50-6508.75***, 6519***, 6556***, 6583***, 6610**, 6697.50***
Pivot: 6500
Support: 6480.75-6485.75**, 6468.25-6473.75***, 6459.25-6461.75**, 6453.25-6455.50**, 6444.50**, 6427.50-6432.50***, 6419.25-6422.75**, 6411.50-6413.50**, 6402.50**, 6388.25-6394***, 6374.25-6379.75***, 6362.75-6366.50***, 6334.50-6342.25****
NQ (September)
Resistance: 23,616-23,650***, 23,715-23,734**, 23, 770-23,845***, 23,887-23,911**, 23,970*, 24,007**, 24,068-24,097**, 24,254***, 24,380***, 24,506**, 24,915***
Pivot: 23,640
Support: 23,557-23,572**, 23,479-23,499**, 23,432**, 23,329-23,370***, 23,205-23,246**, 23,119-23,132**, 23,035-23,046**, 22,884****
Want to keep up with the market?
Subscribe to our daily Morning Express for essential insights into stocks and equities, including the S&P 500, NASDAQ, and more. Get expert technical analysis, proprietary trading levels, and actionable market bias delivered straight to your inbox.