Good morning, traders. If you're wondering why today might feel busier than usual, here's your answer: we've got a full menu of economic data that could actually move markets.
The action kicks off at 8:30 AM ET with preliminary third quarter Non Farm Productivity and Unit Labor Costs, alongside Continuing and Initial Jobless Claims and revisions to the Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Business Outlook. This isn't just noise—these numbers tell us about labor efficiency, wage pressure, and whether the economy is holding up or starting to crack.
At 10:00 AM ET, Wholesale Trade Sales for November will give us a read on inventory and demand trends. Then at 11:00 AM ET, we get the New York Fed one year inflation expectations, which matters because if that number moves significantly, it could shift rate outlook expectations in a hurry. Treasury activity picks up late morning with note announcements and bill auctions, followed by Consumer Credit at 3:00 PM ET, which tells us how household borrowing behavior is trending.
With data dropping throughout the day, expect volatility to spike around release times. This is a session where patience and discipline aren't just nice to have—they're essential. Now let's look at the technical levels traders are watching in the major names.
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY)
SPY begins the session at 588.50, sitting just below recent highs as traders assess whether the strong push earlier this week has legs. Buyers want to see price hold above this zone to keep upside momentum intact. If SPY stays firm here, a move into the low 590s becomes likely, where price discovery could accelerate quickly given the lack of overhead resistance. Strength through that area would signal institutions continuing to deploy capital rather than booking profits.
If SPY loses 588.50, sellers may look to test downside responsiveness quickly. A pullback from this area could invite rotation into prior support zones, especially if incoming data introduces uncertainty. Failure to reclaim 588.50 on a bounce would suggest buyers stepping back, opening the door for a deeper retracement as traders reduce exposure ahead of potential macro surprises.
Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1 (QQQ)
QQQ opens at 622.75, with tech remaining the primary driver of broader market direction. Bulls will want to see this level act as a firm base as mega cap names continue to dictate flow. Holding above this zone keeps upside targets in play, with momentum favoring continuation if buyers defend dips aggressively during the morning session.
If QQQ slips below 622.75, sellers may attempt to press weakness into the prior consolidation range. That type of move would suggest hesitation from dip buyers and could lead to faster intraday swings as positioning adjusts. Any sustained trading below this level would indicate that risk appetite is cooling, at least temporarily.




