Trading Update: Tuesday March 17, 2026
E-mini end of day video review
S&P E-mini market analysis
E-mini daily chart
- The E-mini formed a weak Low 1 short with bad context. With the March 9th rally forming a strong bull reversal bar, the odds favor a bounce and test of the March 9th high.
- Because of the recent four consecutive bear bars before the Low 1 short, there is increased risk of the market going sideways for a few days before the bulls can get up to the March 9th high.
- Because the higher time frame and daily chart are in a trading range, the odds favor a reversal back up on the daily chart and a test back to the All-time high over the next several weeks.
- The bears have had several attempts to drive the market lower over the past couple of weeks. Because of the weak follow-through selling on the way down, the odds favor bulls buying below, willing to scale in lower.
- The November 2025 low is an obvious support level for the bulls. The market recently sold off to near the November low but failed to break below it. Because of all of the trading range price action on the daily chart, there is increased risk that the market may have to fall below the November low before the bulls can ultimately get their reversal up.
E-mini 5-minute chart and what to expect today
- Today rallied on bar 1, trying to form a bull trend from the open. While bars 1 and 2 were good for the bulls, the overall context was not ideal.
- The Globex market rallied for several legs up, leading to bar 1. This made bar 1 a late leg, which increased the risk of an opening reversal and a test of the bar 1 low.
- However, because the Globex rally was strong and lasted many bars leading up to bar 1, there was increased risk that bulls would be willing to buy below bar 1. This means that a trading range day is more likely than a bear trend day.
- So far, the first 35 bars have had a lot of trading range price action. This increases the risk that today is going to continue to have a lot of trading range price action lasting the rest of the day.
Yesterday’s E-mini setups
Richard created the SP500 E-mini chart.
Here are reasonable stop entry setups from yesterday. Chart shows each buy entry bar with a green arrow and each sell entry bar with a red arrow. Buyers of the Brooks Trading Course have access to a near 4-year library of detailed explanations of swing trade setups (see Online Course/BTC Daily Setups) linked to the Brooks Encyclopedia of Chart Patterns product.
The goal with these charts is to present an Always In perspective. If a trader was trying to be Always In or nearly Always In a position all day, and he was not currently in the market, these entries would be logical times for him to enter. These therefore are swing entries.
It is important to understand that most swing setups do not lead to swing trades. As soon as traders are disappointed, many exit. Those who exit prefer to get out with a small profit (scalp), but often have to exit with a small loss.
If the risk is too big for your account, you should wait for trades with less risk or trade an alternative market like the Micro E-mini.
Summary of today’s S&P E-mini price action
Richard created the SP500 E-mini chart.
See the weekly update for a discussion of the price action on the weekly chart and for what to expect going into next week.
Trading Room
Al Brooks and other presenters talk about the detailed E-mini price action real-time each day in the Brooks Trading Course trading room. We offer a 2 day free trial.
Charts use Pacific Time
When times are mentioned, it is USA Pacific Time. The E-mini day session charts begin at 6:30 am PT and end at 1:15 pm PT which is 15 minutes after the NYSE closes. You can read background information on the market reports on the Market Update page.
