Get started
Micro E-mini S&P 500 Index FuturesMicro E-mini S&P 500 Index FuturesMicro E-mini S&P 500 Index Futures

Micro E-mini S&P 500 Index Futures

No trades
OverviewNewsIdeasMindsTechnicalsForward curveSeasonalsContractsOptions

Trade ideas

ES (SPX, SPY) Analysis, Levels, Setups for Wed (Dec 10th)Market Overview: The daily trend remains generally bullish, although recent sessions have manifested a sideways consolidation just beneath recent highs. Analysis of the 4-hour chart reveals a compressed range characterized by lower highs and higher lows, with prices maintained above the significant weekly demand zone between 6,600 and 6,640. On the hourly chart, the market has recently tested the support band at 6,840-6,850, currently resting at this level while momentum indicators suggest a potential upward reversal from a short-term oversold condition. This price action appears more indicative of a pause at the lower boundary of the recent trading range rather than an outright breakdown. We will continue to monitor the established levels for the week; prices have oscillated within these parameters without any clear break, suggesting that while the landscape of the market remains static, our positioning within it continues to evolve. Overnight Developments Ahead of FOMC Meeting As we head into the FOMC day, the prevailing market sentiment appears stable, with a slight upward bias as long as the support level around 6,840-6,850 holds firm. Asian and London sessions may experience dips below today's lows; however, if we manage to close above the first support level (S1), there remains potential for a rebound toward the 6,870-6,900 range as we approach the New York morning session. Conversely, a decisive break and sustaining an hourly close beneath 6,840 would likely trigger a deeper examination of the second support level (S2), situated between 6,780-6,805, during either the European or early U.S. trading hours. With the Federal Reserve's announcement imminent, we anticipate more pronounced market moves could arise predominantly once we break free from the S1/S2 or R1/R2 boundaries, rather than from the current middle of the trading range. A++ SETUP 1 - LONG Enter: 6,790 - 6,800 SL: 6,770 TP1: 6,850 TP2: 6,900 TP3: 6,920 - 6,945 A++ SETUP 2 - SHORT Enter: 6,925 - 6,935 SL: 6,965 TP1: 6,860 TP2: 6,800 TP3: 6,750 High impact news/events for tomorrow 2:00 pm - Fed interest rate decision and FOMC statement (last Fed meeting of 2025) 2:30 pm - Fed Chair Powell press conference 10:30 am - EIA weekly crude oil inventories (US oil stock data, often moves CL and ES/NQ via risk sentiment) 10:00 am - US Wholesale trade & inventories (medium impact, can move ES a bit if there is a big surprise) Good Luck !!!
CME_MINI:ES1!
by MyAlgoIndex
ES - December 4th - Daily Trade PlanDecember 4th- Daily Trade Plan - 8:30am *Before reading this trade plan, if you did not read yesterday's take the time to read it first! (You can view the posts in the related publication section) * If my posts provide quality information that has helped you with your trading journey. Feel free to boost it for others to find and learn, also! My daily trade plan and real-time notes that I post are intended for myself to easily be able to go back and review my plan and how I did from an execution perspective. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You can review my trade plan from yesterday and the daily note updates to see which levels we grabbed points from. Overnight we have been building a nice bull flag between 6854-6870. Looking at the bigger picture price looks like it wants to go higher and break out of this range we have been. My general lean today is that we have a flush and reclaim of 6854 before heading up. We might only get as low as 6861. IF price loses 6818 then we should move lower. Key Levels Today 1. 6861 flush and reclaim 2. 6854 flush and reclaim 3. 6847 flush and reclaim 4. 6837 flush and reclaim 5. 6818 flush and reclaim (wait for reclaim of 6824) Below these levels and price will most likely be selling off and I would be getting out the way and let price find a level below to reclaim and move higher. I will post an update around 10am EST ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Couple of things about how I color code my levels. 1. Purple shows a current or prior weekly low 2. Red shows the current overnight session High/Low (time of post) 3. Blue shows the previous day's session Low (also other previous day's lows) 4. Yellow shows core support/resistance levels 5. White shows overhead resistance/targets
CME_MINI:ES1!
by jhill1618
11
ES | Week 49 | 1hr chartLots of support levels being created. T.A explained - BackSide (BS) FrontSide (FS) Inverse BS (Inv.BS) Inverse FS (Inv.FS) BS & FS levels are expected support when dashed lines, tested when dotted and resistance when solid lines. The inverse is true for the Inv. BS Inv. FS levels, they are resistance as dashed lines, tested as dotted and support as solid lines. Monthly timeframe is color pink weekly grey daily is red 4hr is orange 1hr is yellow 15min is blue 5min is green if they are shown. strength favors the higher timeframe. 2x dotted levels are origin levels where trends have or will originate. When trends break, price will target the origin of the trend. its math, when the trend breaks, the vertex breaks too so the higher timeframe level/trend that breaks, the more volatility there could be as strength in the orders flow in to fuel the move.
CME_MINI:ES1!
by StudyGuideTA
ES (SPX, SPY) Analysis, Levels, Setups for Thursday (Dec 4th)Market Outlook: Key Event and Trading Strategy Main Event: Tomorrow's primary focus will be the release of US Initial Jobless Claims at 8:30 AM ET. Market participants should anticipate a significant increase in volatility during the premarket session surrounding this announcement. Notably, no other major US economic indicators of similar significance are scheduled to be released, which typically influence the E-mini S&P 500 (ES) as consistently as Jobless Claims does. Investors should consider the 8:30 AM release as the initial decision point. It is advisable to allow for the initial volatility spike to materialize before assessing market levels as they begin to normalize. The A++ trading setups detailed below are designed to activate following the 8:30 move, ideally capitalizing on opportunities that arise during the morning session in New York. Market Analysis: Current Landscape and Outlook Daily Overview: The E-mini S&P 500 (ES) has maintained an upward trajectory, approaching the swing high levels from November. Currently, the price is positioned within the upper range of recent activity, just below a significant resistance zone situated in the high 6800s to low 6900s. While daily momentum indicators remain in positive territory, they are showing elevated levels, suggesting potential for upside continuation. However, the reward for initiating new long positions in proximity to resistance appears limited at this juncture. An examination of the four-hour chart reveals a sideways trading band beneath the recent highs. Despite repeated attempts to breach the upper boundary, gains have not been sustained, though buyers continue to defend pullback levels. Below the current price, a notable demand zone exists between 6815 and 6825, with a deeper support area around 6780 to 6790. Should the 6815 level hold on a closing basis, the medium-term trend remains favorable. Today’s price activity has formed a tight range, approximately between 6857 and 6865, with the previous day’s high located near 6873 and early lows today around 6820. The market appears to be consolidating near last week’s highs, with clear liquidity zones identified both above 6873 and below 6840. For the overnight session extending into the New York trading day, the expectation is sideways-to-up as long as the price remains above 6815. This scenario suggests potential squeezes toward the 6885 to 6900 range before a more significant decision point emerges. Conversely, a decisive break and 15-minute close below the 6815 level would open the door to the 6780 to 6790 region and would likely temper the bullish outlook heading into Friday's session. A++ Setup 1 - Short from upper band 6885-6898 Entry zone: 6882-6888 short on the first clean 5m lower high after the 15m rejection. Initial stop: above 6898 (or 2-3 points above the rejection wick if that printed higher). From a mid-band entry, this is roughly 10-12 points of risk. • TP1: 6860-6863 (return to the top of today’s box and prior week high zone). • TP2: 6835-6840 (mid-band support). • Optional runner TP3: 6818-6822 if 6840 fails and selling pressure accelerates. Invalidation A decisive 15m close above 6898 that then holds on a pullback. In that case, the short idea is downgraded and price is more likely aiming for 6915-6925. A++ Setup 2 - Long from demand pocket 6815-6825 Entry zone: 6820-6826 long after the first clean 5m higher low and reclaim of 6825. Initial stop: under 6808-6810, below the rejection wick and the lower edge of the pocket. From a 6823 entry this is about 13-15 points of risk. • TP1: 6857-6860 (today’s box floor and first resistance on the way back up). • TP2: 6868-6873 (prior day high and recent NYPM highs). • Optional runner TP3: 6885-6895 if price continues squeezing toward the upper resistance band. Invalidation A 15m close beneath 6810 that is not reclaimed quickly. That opens the way toward 6780-6790 and downgrades the long. Good Luck !!!
CME_MINI:ES1!
by MyAlgoIndex
1
ES - December 2nd - Daily Trade PlanDecember 2nd- Daily Trade Plan - 6:20am *Before reading this trade plan, if you did not read yesterday's take the time to read it first! (You can view the posts in the related publication section) * If my posts provide quality information that has helped you with your trading journey. Feel free to boost it for others to find and learn, also! My daily trade plan and real-time notes that I post are intended for myself to easily be able to go back and review my plan and how I did from an execution perspective. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I was on vacation with my family last week and received a lot of messages asking about my daily trade plan. I have not posted since the 25th as I was travelling and enjoying time with my family. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving and spent time with your families! Let's get into today! The overnight low is 6813 and overnight high is 6846. Since my last daily trade plan, we have been consolidating between 6789 - 6864. We have had some great trades around the 6800-6815 level that has been a magnet over the past sessions. We still have not made a higher high during this time. Until we clear 6854, 6864 we are technically in a range that has been bought and sold between 6813-6864. Price should continue higher and I do not expect price to lose 6779 (lowest) for us to continue higher. IF price loses 6779, we will most likely need to head lower to find levels to engage to take us higher. Until then, let's look at areas that could produce some points today. Key Levels Today 1. 6813 flush and reclaim 2. 6801 flush and reclaim 3. 6789 flush and reclaim Below these levels and price will most likely be selling off and I would be getting out the way and let price find a level below to reclaim and move higher. I will post an update around 10am EST ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Couple of things about how I color code my levels. 1. Purple shows the weekly Low 2. Red shows the current overnight session High/Low (time of post) 3. Blue shows the previous day's session Low (also other previous day's lows) 5. White Levels are previous day's session High/Low
CME_MINI:ES1!
by jhill1618
4
ES (SPX, SPY) Analysis, Levels, Setups for Tue (Dec 2nd)The market structure remains optimistic on the higher timeframes, bolstered by a significant rebound from the 6,520 levels. Currently, prices are fluctuating in the upper range of this move, consolidating between the intraday support and the previous weekly high. Although momentum indicators are stretched, they have yet to indicate a reversal, suggesting a potential continuation toward resistance levels R1 and possibly R2, provided that buyers can uphold the nearest support zones. Conversely, a failure to maintain support at S1 and S2 could pave the way for a deeper corrective phase targeting S3. The levels are remain the same from yesterday analysis. A++ SETUP 1 - LONG FROM S2 RELOAD BAND (6,790-6,805) look for an overnight or early NY flush into 6,800 ± 10 points, followed by a strong rejection: wick below S2 on 15m, close back inside the band, plus a higher low on 5m. Entry zone: 6,800-6,795 (inside S2 once rejection shows). Hard stop: 6,780 (below the lower edge of S2 and recent wick structure). TP1: 6,845-6,855 (back through S1 into the middle of the current range). TP2: 6,870-6,885 (R1 test). A++ SETUP 2 - SHORT LIQUIDITY SWEEP INTO R1 (6,870-6,885) during London or NY AM, price spikes through 6,870 into the 6,870-6,885 band, takes out prior highs, but then prints a rejection: 15m candle with an upper wick and close back below about 6,875, plus a lower high on 5m. Entry zone: 6,875-6,880 after the rejection is confirmed, not on the first blind touch. Hard stop: 6,895 (above the top of R1; acceptance above there suggests a push toward R2). TP1: 6,835-6,840 (back into S1). TP2: 6,800-6,795 (retest of S2). Key Events and Data to Watch on Tuesday Tomorrow's U.S. session will be pivotal, focusing on key indicators of manufacturing and construction. The final S&P Global U.S. Manufacturing PMI will be released at 9:45 a.m. ET, followed closely by the ISM Manufacturing Index at 10:00 a.m. ET—both crucial for assessing factory activity and the momentum of economic growth. Concurrently, the Commerce Department will unveil October Construction Spending figures, a vital metric for understanding demand in infrastructure and housing sectors. Additionally, domestic vehicle sales data will be published, providing further insight into consumer strength. Moreover, the OECD's latest Economic Outlook will present updated global growth projections, which could significantly influence market risk appetite. As markets remain attuned to indicators of decelerating economic activity, any surprises in these reports could lead to notable shifts between support levels (S2) and resistance levels (R1/R2), potentially reinforcing expectations for a rate cut from the Fed in December.
CME_MINI:ES1!
by MyAlgoIndex
1
AI Stocks Started Sneezing… and Indices May Have Caught a Chill?The NASDAQ (a.k.a. the AI theme park) just printed a much lower monthly low. ES? It dipped… but only politely. That mismatch matters. When tech acts tired, the broader market usually needs caffeine — or a correction. The Indicators Are Whispering… and They Don’t Sound Bullish The CCI is saying “lower highs,” while price is saying “higher highs.” Classic divergence. The MACD histogram is fading like holiday lights at 4 a.m. Momentum? Not dead — just yawning. Three Levels That Could Decide Whether Santa Shows Up Think of December like a video game boss fight with three phases: 6,525.00 → First alarm bell. Break it and the mood changes. 6,239.50 → “Bear trap danger zone.” Plenty could happen here. 4,430.50 → The deep level nobody wants to talk about, but everyone should mark. If ES finds its footing near 6,239.50, Santa still has a shot. If not… well… Grinch season might come early. ES & MES Contract Specs + Margins E-mini S&P 500 Futures (ES) Tick size: 0.25 index points = $12.50 Approx. margin (as of now): ~$22,400 per contract Micro E-mini S&P 500 Futures (MES) Tick size: 0.25 index points = $1.25 Approx. margin (as of now): ~$2,240 per contract Margins vary by broker and can change with volatility, but these figures reflect current exchange-level requirements. Risk Management: The Only Real Holiday Magic ES and MES give traders the same view of the market but with different intensity levels. December is emotional, fast, and occasionally rude — so size positions like someone who wants to enjoy the holidays, not stress through them. Pick a zone → define the invalidation level → cap your dollar risk → choose ES or MES accordingly. Simple. Calm. Holiday-friendly. Final Thought Santa hasn’t canceled the rally yet. But AI stocks aren’t exactly singing Christmas carols either. If the tech giants recover, December could still sparkle. If they don’t… the sleigh might need a repair shop. Either way: chart levels > seasonal hope. Trade safe — and maybe hide a cookie for the market, just in case. Want More Depth? If you’d like to go deeper into the building blocks of trading, check out our From Mystery to Mastery trilogy, three cornerstone articles that complement this one: 🔗 From Mystery to Mastery: Trading Essentials 🔗 From Mystery to Mastery: Futures Explained 🔗 From Mystery to Mastery: Options Explained When charting futures, the data provided could be delayed. Traders working with the ticker symbols discussed in this idea may prefer to use CME Group real-time data plan on TradingView: www.tradingview.com - This consideration is particularly important for shorter-term traders, whereas it may be less critical for those focused on longer-term trading strategies. General Disclaimer: The trade ideas presented herein are solely for illustrative purposes forming a part of a case study intended to demonstrate key principles in risk management within the context of the specific market scenarios discussed. These ideas are not to be interpreted as investment recommendations or financial advice. They do not endorse or promote any specific trading strategies, financial products, or services. The information provided is based on data believed to be reliable; however, its accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed. Trading in financial markets involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. Each individual should conduct their own research and consult with professional financial advisors before making any investment decisions. The author or publisher of this content bears no responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided or for any resultant financial or other losses.
CME_MINI:ES1!
by traddictiv
ES (SPX, SPY) Analysis, Key-Zone, Setups for Fri (Dec 5th)Market Overview The daily trend remains firmly upward, with prices pressing against the November swing-high band, characterized by a sequence of higher lows and a gradual ascent toward previous peaks. Momentum indicators on both the daily and 4-hour charts are on the rise, yet they have not entered extreme levels, suggesting a likelihood of continued upward movement into the upper premium band rather than an imminent substantial reversal. On the 4-hour and 1-hour charts, the E-mini S&P 500 (ES) has been consolidating in a narrow range, roughly between 6835 and 6880, as it builds energy just below the prior high. This range coincides with the 1.272 to 1.618 Fibonacci extension zone, located around 6895 to 6917. Given this setup, the outlook for tomorrow appears slightly bullish, provided the price remains above the mid-range support levels. Market Brief: Key Developments for December 5, 2025 As we approach the final Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting of the year scheduled for December 9 -10, market participants are increasingly pricing in a substantial likelihood of a 25 basis point rate cut, along with further easing anticipated in the coming year. For tomorrow, however, it’s important to note that the widely followed November employment situation report (including Non-farm Payrolls and the unemployment rate) has been officially postponed to December 16 due to the ongoing government shutdown. While some generic calendars may still reflect the original December 5 date for the payroll figures, this information has become outdated. At this time, it appears unlikely that any partial wage data will be released in lieu of the full report. Nevertheless, many calendars are still marking U.S. hourly earnings and related labor indicators for the morning session. Expectations are set for hourly earnings, nonfarm payrolls, and unemployment rate placeholders around 8:30 AM ET, alongside the University of Michigan consumer sentiment and inflation expectations reports at 10:00 AM ET. In practical terms, traders should expect regular liquidity levels in Asian and London markets. However, be prepared for potential volatility spikes around the 10:00 AM ET release of the U. Michigan data, especially if any unexpected headlines arise concerning the delayed labor report. Market Outlook: Overnight Trends into New York Trading Session As we head into the New York trading session, the key focus remains on the E-mini S&P 500 (ES). The base case scenario suggests that as long as ES maintains support above the significant range of 6854 to 6858 - often referred to as S2 - during any dips seen in the Asian and London sessions, we can anticipate a gradual upward movement. This trajectory would likely involve repeated testing of resistance levels around 6875 to 6880 (R1). Should we witness consistent hourly closes that approach this resistance with only modest pullbacks toward 6860, the likelihood of a breakout toward the premium zone of 6895 to 6910 increases, potentially occurring before or during the New York session. On the other hand, the alternative scenario would unfold if the market decisively breaks below S2, resulting in a series of hourly closes beneath 6854. Such a development would signal a shift in sentiment and a potential rotation toward support levels S3 and S4, which target 6835. This would likely create a mean-reversion environment, with trading in New York focused more on the lower half of the 6835 to 6880 range rather than pushing for a breakout above resistance. Investors should tread carefully as these scenarios develop. A++ setup 1 - Long breakout continuation above 6875 Bias: continuation long, only if we see real acceptance above R1. Trigger conditions: 15m candle closes with a solid body above 6880, turning the 6875 - 6880 band from Entry zone: 6878 - 6882 on the first 1m/5m higher low after that pullback holds. Initial stop: 6869, tucked below the 6870 intraday pivot and just under the reclaimed band. • TP1: 6904 - 6908, inside the 6895 - 6910 premium band, giving you roughly 2R or better if you are filled near the middle of the entry band and respect the tight stop. • TP2: 6915 - 6918, near the 1.618 extension. A++ setup 2 - Short reversal from failed break 6895 - 6910 Bias: high-quality fade only if the market runs stops into the premium band and then traps longs. Entry zone: 6890 - 6896 on a retest of 6895 from below after that rejection is confirmed. Initial stop: 6908, above the rejection high and inside the upper part of the premium band. • TP1: 6858, back into the VWAP / prior value area pocket. That gives you roughly 2R or better if you are filled near mid-band with a 10 - 12 point stop. • TP2: 6843 - 6845, test of NYAM low. Tomorrow is shaping up to be a pivotal decision point following a robust advance in the market. As long as the support level around 6855 remains intact, any dips should be viewed as buying opportunities, particularly targeting the premium range of 6895 to 6917. However, a decisive rejection from this premium zone, with prices falling back through 6870, may signal an A++ short opportunity, potentially driving prices down toward 6858 and beyond. Good Luck !!!
CME_MINI:ES1!
by MyAlgoIndex
1
Hey traders, it's Lord MEDZ here! In today's videoI'm excited to walk you through a fantastic trade I executed earlier on the Micro Nasdaq Futures (MNQ). Utilizing the ICT Fair Value Gap (FVG), Order Block (OB), and Market Structure Shift (MSS) strategies, I managed to achieve an impressive 11:1 risk-reward ratio within just 20 minutes, all during the New York power hour. We'll dive deep into the 15-second timeframe to break down every detail of this trade. Stay tuned to see how I leveraged these powerful tools to maximize my gains. Let's get into it!
CME_MINI:MES1!
by Skinwah
Day 78 — Surviving the Chop: When Nothing WorksEnded the day +$36.64 trading S&P Futures. Today was super stressful despite the small green finish. The market structure was flipping up and down constantly, with no real trend and moving averages/zones failing to hold. It honestly felt like one of those days where the Market Makers are specifically trying to break trader psychology and force mistakes. Usually, when I see this kind of chop and manipulation, it signals that a big directional move is brewing for later in the week. 📰 News Highlights OPENAI DECLARES ‘CODE RED’ AS GOOGLE NASDAQ:GOOGL CLOSES IN 🔑 Key Levels for Tomorrow Above 6830 = Bullish Below 6800 = Bearish
CME_MINI:ES1!
by DiYWALLST
2
OB + RSI + MSS = WIN CME_MINI:MES1! Today, I will present a large part of my strategy using three excellent example trades. It consists of various (SMC) concepts that I have combined. Entry: First, I look for an OB, BB, hidden divergence or liquidity sweep on the 1-hour chart. Then I go to the 15-minute and 5-minute TF and look for further RSI divergences, SMT divergences or OBs as confirmation and wait for an MSS. (Important for hidden divergence: only enter after confirmation and leaving the divergence zone) Take profit: I set my take profit depending on the situation. Either just before a liquidity pool or on the Fibonacci extension zone 1 or just before zone 1.618. Stop loss: I set my stop loss just behind the OB or the candles of the RSI divergence zone, whereby I must achieve a CRV of at least 3 for each trade. Feel free to give me feedback on my system and ask me questions! Shoutouts to @Sirc255 through who I came upon RSI!
CME_MINI:MES1!
by MaxSFT
2
AI Stocks Weakness Could Spoil this Year’s Santa RallyAs December begins, traders worldwide are dusting off the same old question: Will we get a Santa Claus rally this year? But 2025’s setup looks a little different. The market’s cheer seems to depend heavily on whether AI-related stocks can keep delivering miracles—and lately, the charts are suggesting they may be running out of steam. When Tech Sneezes, the Market Catches a Cold A quick look across U.S. equity futures shows a revealing pattern. The E-mini NASDAQ 100 Futures (NQ), home to most AI and semiconductor giants, has posted a significantly lower monthly low compared to the prior month. Meanwhile, the E-mini S&P 500 Futures (ES) declined much less, hinting at relative resilience, but also possible lagging weakness. This divergence—NQ leading down while ES holds up—is a subtle warning. When the market’s growth engine (tech) loses traction, broader indices often follow with a delay. That’s the tension December traders are staring at: are we seeing the early signs of exhaustion before the holidays, or just a healthy pause? Bearish Divergences Whisper “Caution” The technicals are backing that cautious tone. On the ES chart, the Commodity Channel Index (CCI) has been carving lower highs even as prices printed higher highs. This is a textbook bearish divergence, often an early sign that bullish momentum is fading. The MACD histogram echoes the same message: momentum has been contracting through November despite new price highs, suggesting that underlying strength is eroding. Such divergences don’t predict direction on their own, but they do raise the probability of a short-term correction—or at least a choppy path into year-end. The Price Map: Three Levels that Could Define December Let’s outline the key technical zones traders are watching: 6,525.00: the prior monthly low—this is the first line of defense for the Santa Rally narrative. A break below this level would likely shift sentiment fast, especially if NQ continues under pressure. 6,239.50: the floor of a relevant UFO (UnFilled Orders) support zone. If ES dips below the prior low, this zone may become a “bear trap.” Many traders might short aggressively once 6,525.00 gives way, but those unfilled buy orders could absorb supply and trigger a sharp bounce. If the rally emerges from here, Santa might still make his visit. 4,430.50: a deeper UFO support cluster roughly 35% below current prices. If price were to cut through 6,239.50 and stay below it, the market would be entering a different regime altogether—likely accompanied by broken trendlines, volatility spikes, and a more defensive tone. Reading Between the Lines: What the Divergence Means Historically, the Santa Rally is powered by optimism, lighter volumes, and portfolio rebalancing. But this time, AI and semiconductor names—the champions of the current bull leg—are leading weakness. That doesn’t mean doom; it means fragility. The ES market may still rebound, but it’s doing so under reduced participation from the very sectors that drove prior gains. Sizing the Trade Without Crossing the Line For traders eyeing this setup through ES (E-mini S&P 500 futures) or MES (Micro E-mini S&P 500) futures, here’s a compliant, educational way to think about risk and position sizing: Identify the Setup Zone: e.g., around 6,525.00 as potential demand, or below 6,239.50 as short-term breakdown. Define Your Stop: the level where the technical picture is invalidated. Set a Dollar Risk Limit: for instance, risking 1% of total account equity. Derive Position Size: Divide your dollar risk by the price distance between entry and stop (converted into points). Then choose between the standard E-mini (ES) or Micro E-mini (MES) to match your risk tolerance and account size. This framework lets traders adapt leverage responsibly—without needing the specific contract specs or margin figures, which vary by broker and time. Risk Management: December Can Be a Trap December is famous for emotional trading. The combination of holiday expectations, thinner liquidity, and year-end positioning can turn routine pullbacks into exaggerated moves. That’s why focusing on risk before reward is critical. The UFO support levels serve as reference zones where institutional activity might reappear, but they’re not guarantees. Managing stops, scaling out partial profits, and staying flexible matters more than trying to guess the market’s next headline. ES and MES: Same Story, Different Scale The Micro E-mini (MES) contract is a smaller version of the E-mini (ES), designed for traders who want the same price exposure but with lower notional size. Both track the same index, tick for tick. For traders exploring this December setup, the MES allows participation while controlling exposure more granularly—especially useful if volatility picks up and margin requirements shift. Key Contracts Specs and Margins: E-mini S&P 500 Futures (ES) with a point value = $50 per point. Micro E-mini S&P 500 Futures (MES) with a point value = $5 per point. As of the current date, the margin requirements for E-mini S&P 500 Futures and for the Micro E-mini S&P 500 Futures are approximately $22,400 and $2,240 per contract respectively. Always verify the latest margin schedules and specifications directly with your broker or the exchange before entering trades, as those details update regularly and depend on market conditions. Santa’s Setup: Scenarios to Watch Scenario A — Santa Delivers: Price tests or slightly breaks the 6,525.00 low, finds support near 6,239.5, and rebounds into late December. Bearish divergences resolve sideways, and risk assets stabilize. Scenario B — The Grinch Arrives: The 6,239.50 zone fails to hold, breaking trendline supports. The market slides toward 4,430.50, shaking off complacent longs and erasing part of the 2024-5 rally. Both paths are technically valid. The difference will come from whether AI-heavy sectors regain strength—or confirm that this bull leg has indeed lost its engine. Educational Takeaway Divergences (CCI and MACD) highlight when momentum and price disagree—a sign of fatigue. Intermarket analysis (ES vs. NQ) reveals where weakness may originate. UFO levels identify potential institutional footprints—where traps or reversals often occur. Discipline and risk control matter more than predicting whether Santa shows up. Final Thought Whether December brings gifts or grief may depend less on seasonal hope and more on how traders interpret these divergences. If AI stocks can find footing again, the rally could revive. But if they keep sliding, this might be the year Santa takes a break. When charting futures, the data provided could be delayed. Traders working with the ticker symbols discussed in this idea may prefer to use CME Group real-time data plan on TradingView: www.tradingview.com - This consideration is particularly important for shorter-term traders, whereas it may be less critical for those focused on longer-term trading strategies. General Disclaimer: The trade ideas presented herein are solely for illustrative purposes forming a part of a case study intended to demonstrate key principles in risk management within the context of the specific market scenarios discussed. These ideas are not to be interpreted as investment recommendations or financial advice. They do not endorse or promote any specific trading strategies, financial products, or services. The information provided is based on data believed to be reliable; however, its accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed. Trading in financial markets involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. Each individual should conduct their own research and consult with professional financial advisors before making any investment decisions. The author or publisher of this content bears no responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided or for any resultant financial or other losses.
CME_MINI:ES1!Education
by traddictiv
Monthly ES Futures Outlook – DecemberHappy Thanksgiving! This is the second post in my series of monthly outlooks for ES futures. The first one, published in mid-October, covered the remainder of October and the outlook for November. Since the end of October, price had been moving inside a downward-expanding falling wedge channel. On Friday, 28 November, ES finally broke out with a strong bullish daily close above the structure—although on lower volume due to the Thanksgiving week. From here, two primary scenarios can unfold: ________________________________________ Scenario 1: Bullish Continuation Toward 6895+ Price remains bullish by successfully retesting the 4-hour 200 SMA (~6780) and advancing toward the next major supply zone around 6895. A few confluences support this scenario: • The 200 SMA aligns with the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement from the 21 November low to the current swing high. • This area also overlaps with the zone where the 10 October sell-off originated. If this zone holds on the retest, ES could potentially push to new all-time highs by month-end, with intermediate upside targets at: • 6894 • 6953 • 7000 ________________________________________ Scenario 2: Rejection From 6890s Supply Zone Price fails to break through the 6890s supply, rejects sharply, and continues lower—forming a third lower high below 6900. Key downside levels under this scenario include: • 6760 • 6674 • 6614 The major demand zone to watch is 6432 (the 7.5% correction level), which served as a strong bounce area multiple times in August and September. ________________________________________ Probability Tilt: Slight Edge to Scenario 1 From a probability standpoint, Scenario 1 currently has a slightly higher chance of playing out. Reasons: • Price is trading above all three short-term EMAs: 9, 21, and 50. • The 9 EMA is about to cross above the 21 EMA, a setup that historically leads more often to sideways consolidation followed by continuation to the upside, rather than a breakdown. ________________________________________ Institutional Buying Zones: Impact of % Corrections When ES hits a new ATH and begins to retrace, certain correction percentages tend to attract institutional bids. These are typically: • 5% • 7.5% • 10% The current ATH is 6953.75, giving the following key correction levels: • 5% correction: 6606 • 7.5% correction: 6432 • 10% correction: 6258 Recent examples support this pattern: • The latest ATH (30 October) saw a 5% correction on 18 November, which led to a rally to 6790—about a 190-point bounce before the 20 November sell-off. • The August 2024 low was roughly a 10% pullback from that era’s ATH. • The December 2024 sell-off following the Fed meeting was roughly a 5% correction. If Scenario 2 plays out, I will be watching 6432 very closely, given the confluence of the 7.5% correction and a historically strong demand zone. ________________________________________ ATR & Volatility Outlook: For the past 9 consecutive weeks, the weekly ATR has exceeded 200 points, meaning ES has moved 200+ points on average per week. Given that price rallied 300+ points from the 21 November low of 6525 within a single week, a period of consolidation next week is likely. Volatility should return during the second week of December due to: • FOMC interest rate decision — 10 December • CPI data — 11 December Given this macro calendar, I expect either a new ATH or a move toward 6674 within the next two weeks. Hope this analysis helps. Open to feedback, discussion, and improvements. Happy trading.
CME_MINI:ES1!
by chirag0412
ES - December 3rd - Daily Trade PlanDecember 3rd- Daily Trade Plan - 6:10am *Before reading this trade plan, if you did not read yesterday's take the time to read it first! (You can view the posts in the related publication section) * If my posts provide quality information that has helped you with your trading journey. Feel free to boost it for others to find and learn, also! My daily trade plan and real-time notes that I post are intended for myself to easily be able to go back and review my plan and how I did from an execution perspective. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yesterday we had some really good intraday levels that price continued to respect with no overnight session low that was flushed and reclaimed. You can see that we chopped around and have continued to maintain the range between 6812-6864. Let's discuss today and what we are looking for. Our overnight session low is 6837 and our high is 6857. Price has been building a very tight range over the past few sessions, and we are getting close to a breakout or breakdown that could trigger today or tomorrow. Since we are not fortune tellers, we will need to focus on identifying levels we can grab points from today. Key Levels Today 1. 6847 flush and reclaim (lower quality) 2. 6837 flush and reclaim (medium quality) 3. 6824 flush and reclaim (medium quality) 4. 6818 flush and reclaim (high quality) 5. 6812 flush and reclaim (high quality) 6. 6801 flush and reclaim (high quality) Below these levels and price will most likely be selling off and I would be getting out the way and let price find a level below to reclaim and move higher. I will post an update around 10am EST ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Couple of things about how I color code my levels. 1. Purple shows a current or prior weekly low 2. Red shows the current overnight session High/Low (time of post) 3. Blue shows the previous day's session Low (also other previous day's lows) 4. Yellow shows core support/resistance levels 5. White shows overhead resistance/targets
CME_MINI:ES1!
by jhill1618