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SPY|QQQ Thursday 1PM 9/18/2025

September 18, 2025 3 min read

Market Sentiment Analysis:

Overall Market Sentiment:

SPY (S&P 500 ETF):
Analyzing the SPY using the 30-minute intraday chart over the last 30 days, the recent 13 bars show a slight pullback. Starting at 663.31 and closing at 662.84 in the latest 13 bars, SPY displays a narrowing price range. The volume declined after a peak, aligning with reduced price volatility. The moving averages might show flatlining, suggesting cautious sentiment with no clear bullish resurgence. Price dipped below the short-term moving averages but hasn’t breached major supports, indicating a neutral to slightly bearish sentiment.

QQQ (Nasdaq-100 ETF):
The QQQ shows similar movement. Starting at 597.34, the latest 13 bars close slightly lower at 596.23. It mirrored the SPY with a tight range, suggesting consolidation. There’s a noticeable volume decrease towards the end, indicating less buying pressure. With the last closing being close to its low and just above support levels, the sentiment seems slightly bearish but watchful for potential reversals.

VXX (Volatility Index):
VXX trends downward, hovering around 33.01 at the close of recent bars. This decrease suggests reduced fear or volatility in the market. Its gradual decline reflects more settled investor sentiment currently, which typically buoys SPY and QQQ. The lack of significant spikes indicates that major market shocks aren’t anticipated in the short term, contributing to a calmer market environment.

Sector Analysis:

Reviewing sector ETFs over the past 30 days, XLF (financials) and XLV (healthcare) showed resilient activity without any major downturns, with XLF presenting a consolidative phase near highs. Energy (XLE) appears weaker with slight downtrends suggesting rotation out of energy stocks, whereas XLK (technology) experiences minor dips, rapid rebounds emphasizing its continued growth status.

Key Levels to Watch:

SPY:
Key support levels: 660, 655
Key resistance levels: 665, 670
A break above 665 could signal bullish continuation, while a drop below 655 might confirm bearish tendencies.

QQQ:
Key support levels: 595, 590
Key resistance levels: 600, 605
Staying above 595 is critical for stability, and crossing 600 decisively may bring bullish resurgence.

Scenarios:

Bullish Scenario:
For SPY and QQQ, improving economic data, company earnings outpacing expectations, and positive forecasts could drive prices higher. Breaking through key resistances such as 670 (SPY) and 605 (QQQ) would indicate a robust uptrend, drawing in more momentum traders.

Bearish Scenario:
Negative economic surprises, geopolitical issues, or breakdowns under critical support levels (655 for SPY and 590 for QQQ) might trigger sell-offs. Prolonged VXX downward trends stopping abruptly could foreshadow volatility, risking sharper declines.

Overall Commentary:

Currently, the market sentiment is slightly leaning towards neutrality with a hint of bearishness in the short term due to consolidations. Sector analysis suggests potential sector rotations with financials and healthcare demonstrating resilience. The low VXX implies subdued volatility, though the lack of upward momentum hints at cautious trading. Traders should monitor key levels closely; a breakout or breakdown is needed for a definitive trend establishment. The overall market may continue its consolidation until catalysts emerge.

Charts:

  • SPY: SPY
  • QQQ: QQQ
  • VXX: VXX
  • XLC: XLC
  • XLY: XLY
  • XLP: XLP
  • XLE: XLE
  • XLF: XLF
  • XLV: XLV
  • XLI: XLI
  • XLK: XLK
  • XLB: XLB
  • XLRE: XLRE
  • XLU: XLU
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