Good morning to all the traders staring at their screens wondering how today is going to shake out.
Today's session is absolutely packed with the kind of economic data that makes traders either very excited or very nervous, depending on temperament. The morning kicked off with Producer Price Index data from October and November, including both headline PPI and the core measures that strip out food, energy, and trade. These reports matter because they show pipeline inflation, the stuff that eventually trickles down to consumer prices. Alongside that, we're getting Retail Sales and the Current Account Balance, which will tell us how strong consumer demand really is and where the broader economy stands.
As the day unfolds, Existing Home Sales and Business Inventories will add more color to economic momentum, while Department of Energy inventory data could move energy markets around. Then at 2:00 PM ET, the Federal Reserve Beige Book drops, offering qualitative insight into regional economic conditions right before the next policy meeting. And if that weren't enough, we have a parade of Fed speakers throughout the day including Anna Paulson, Stephen Miran, Raphael Bostic, Neel Kashkari, and John Williams.
Translation: expect sharp intraday moves and fast reactions to headlines. Liquidity might thin out quickly around major releases, which means the potential for exaggerated swings increases. It's one of those days where being patient and selective really matters.
Let's break down the technical levels that matter for SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ), Apple Inc. (AAPL), Microsoft Corp. (MSFT), NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA), Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL), Meta Platforms Inc. (META), and Tesla Inc. (TSLA).
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY)
SPY is trading around 691.75 as the market digests this heavy slate of inflation data and Fed commentary. Holding above this area keeps buyers engaged, with upside interest building toward 693.10 where early supply could surface. If momentum continues, SPY may press into 694.60, a zone where sellers previously stepped in. A clean hold above that level opens the door toward 696.25, which would signal buyers maintaining control despite the busy macro backdrop. Strength through these levels would reflect confidence that inflation data isn't disrupting the broader uptrend.
On the flip side, if SPY slips below 691.75, sellers may test resolve quickly by pulling price into 690.20. Losing that level could expose 688.75, an area where buyers will need to respond to prevent momentum from shifting. Continued downside pressure may carry price into 687.10. A break through there would suggest the market is repricing risk around inflation and Fed commentary, opening the door for a deeper pullback into prior demand zones.
Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ)
QQQ is currently trading around 623.25, and tech stocks are reacting sensitively to inflation inputs and rate expectations. Holding firm here could allow buyers to push into 624.85, where price acceptance would be key. If strength holds, QQQ may extend into 626.40, with further upside potentially reaching 628.10. Sustained trade above those areas would suggest growth names are absorbing macro uncertainty and maintaining their upside structure.
If QQQ fails to hold 623.25, sellers may guide price into 621.90. A breakdown there puts 620.50 in play, a level that has acted as short term balance. Continued weakness could drag price into 618.95. If buyers don't step in, downside could accelerate as positioning unwinds around inflation sensitive names.




