Briefly: In our opinion, speculative short positions are favored (with stop-loss at 2,210, and profit target at 2,050, S&P 500 index).

Our intraday outlook is bearish, and our short-term outlook is bearish. Our medium-term outlook is neutral, following S&P 500 index breakout above last year's all-time high:

Intraday outlook (next 24 hours): bearish
Short-term outlook (next 1-2 weeks): bearish
Medium-term outlook (next 1-3 months): neutral
Long-term outlook (next year): neutral

The U.S. stock market indexes lost 0.9% on Monday, retracing some more of their recent advance, as investors took short-term profits off the table. The S&P 500 index continues to trade close its July - August consolidation. The nearest important level of resistance is at around 2,160, marked by yesterday's daily gap down of 2,158.54-2,163.97. The next important level of resistance is at around 2,170, marked by previous daily gap down, among others. On the other hand, support level is at around 2,120-2,140, marked by local lows. The market trades within a downward correction following recent rally. Will it continue its uptrend? Or is this some topping pattern before downward reversal?

Expectations before the opening of today's trading session are positive, with index futures currently up 0.3%. The European stock market indexes have lost 0.1-0.8% so far. Investors will now wait for some economic data announcements: Case-Shiller 20-city Index at 9:00 a.m., Consumer Confidence at 10:00 a.m. The S&P 500 futures contract trades within an intraday consolidation, as it fluctuates along the level of 2,150. The nearest important level of resistance is at around 2,160-2,170, marked by local highs. On the other hand, support level remains at 2,120-2,130, among others, as the 15-minute chart shows:

The technology Nasdaq 100 futures contract is relatively stronger than the broad stock market, as it remains closer to last week's new all-time high. The nearest important support level is at around 4,800-4,820, marked by previous level of resistance. The nearest important resistance level is at 4,850-4,860, among others. For now, it looks like a downward correction following recent move up:

Concluding, the broad stock market retraced more of its recent move up on Monday, as the S&P 500 index fell below 2,150 mark again. We continue to maintain our speculative short position (opened on July 18th at 2,162, S&P 500 index). Stop-loss level is at 2,210 and potential profit target is at 2,050 (S&P 500 index). You can trade S&P 500 index using futures contracts (S&P 500 futures contract - SP, E-mini S&P 500 futures contract - ES) or an ETF like the SPDR S&P 500 ETF - SPY. It is always important to set some exit price level in case some events cause the price to move in the unlikely direction. Having safety measures in place helps limit potential losses while letting the gains grow.

Thank you.

Paul Rejczak
Stock Trading Strategist
Stock Trading Alerts