Full ES/SPX Trading Plan For Monday Aug 12thPlan for Monday: Supports are: 5363 (major), 5351, 5337-42 (major), 5324 (major), 5312-10 (major), 5302, 5288, 5273 (major), 5260, 5247-50 (major
The key focus now is that ES has finally cleared the critical 5338-42 support, but it needs to hold this level to avoid a move back down. The first target below from here is 5363. Since this level has already been extensively tested friday and is too close to the highs, it’s not appealing for a long position, but flushes and reclaims remain possible. Below there is 5338-42 yet again. This area has been heavily tested and remains a significant trap zone, which likely won’t change soon. While it’s possible to buy directly at this level, it requires quick, agile trading. I’d rather see a setup similar to what I played multiple Friday today: a dip down to 5324 followed by a recovery. However, I’ll stay flexible and ready to react in this zone in real time, with volume. Below 5324, the 5312 level comes into play. I'm open to a small bid in this area. If you're unsure, you can wait for a potential failed breakdown of Friday's low before entering. If this zone doesn't hold, selling momentum could pick up again, so I'd be cautious with buying any supports. Areas of interest might then be 5250 and 5186-91. For Monday, I view the entire range between 5324 and 5372-78 as a potential new consolidation zone, playground for traders.
Resistances are: 5372, 5378 (major), 5388, 5393, 5400 (major), 5414 (major), 5424, 5432, 5438-40 (major), 5450 (major). If the squeeze resumes on Monday, next spot for those who want to try shorts would be 5438-40 in terms of higher confidence areas. 5414 is another.
Buyers case: After two days of relentless rallying, a correction on Monday wouldn’t be surprising. For buyers, it’s crucial that the discussed supports hold, with 5312 as the lowest level they want to see. Dropping below that increases the likelihood of another leg down. The 5338-42 zone, which served as major resistance throughout the week, is now support. Ideally, on Monday, ES could consolidate between 5372-78 and 5338-42. From there, the next leg up could target 5400, 5424, and then 5438-40. In terms of spots to add on strength, this is tough to provide when we close at the lows but I’d generally see flagging below Fridays high, and above 5338-42 as being bullish (especially if we flush 5362 and recover).
Sellers case: This setup begins with the failure of 5312. As I mention frequently, these types of trades come with a strong disclaimer. Trades below support levels, known as breakdown trades, carry inherent risks. My main edge lies in trading failed breakdowns because most breakdowns (about 80%) tend to trap traders. Even when executed skillfully, breakdown trades have a low win rate, with over 60% expected to fail. However, the risk/reward ratio is high—two or three trades might fail, but the fourth could yield significant returns.
If you’re uncomfortable with these odds or the possibility of getting trapped, it’s best to avoid these trades. Breakdown trades are advanced setups, so if you’re a newer trader here, there’s no harm in passing on them. As always, I avoid chasing the market. I’d want to see a bounce or a failed breakdown around 5310-12 first. Once this plays out and there’s clear evidence of weak demand in that zone, I’d consider shorting around 5302 or slightly higher if a clear structure forms from the bounce that I can short beneath.
In general, my lean for Monday is that 5324 to 5372-78 is now a new consolidation zone, with 5338-42 being s mid-pivot. As long as we continue consolidating in this zone and really above 5338-42, buyers can just continue to work higher to 5400, 5414, then 5438-42. If 5324 fails, it’s a warning shot for buyers, with 5312 fail triggering short back down the levels.
