Trading Update: Thursday March 19, 2026
E-mini end of day video review
S&P E-mini market analysis
E-mini daily chart
- The Emini sold off after yesterday’s FOMC announcement and closed on its low. This created a strong bear reversal bar just above the November 2025 low, which the odds favored price falling below the November low, which it did during today’s Globex session.
- With all of the trading range price action on the higher time frames, the odds favor buyers below the November 2025 low. This increases the odds that any breakout below the November low will likely act as support.
- The bulls are hopeful that today will form a bull reversal bar closing on its high. This would increase the odds of a failed breakout below the November low and the bulls getting a reversal up.
E-mini 5-minute chart and what to expect today
- Today gapped down on the open, below the November 2025 low. This was a likely support location and increased the odds of the bulls getting an opening reversal and a test of the moving average.
- Because of yesterday’s late climactic selling, there was a 75% chance of a trading range lasting two hours beginning before the end of the second hour.
- As of bar 36, today has had a lot of trading range price action. This increases the odds of today having more trading range price action for the rest of the day.
- Because the daily chart has been in a prolonged bear channel with overlapping bars and the market is now at the November 2025 low, there is increased risk of an upside breakout of the opening trading range.
- Overall, the market is in breakout mode and deciding on the direction of the breakout. If the bulls do get the upside breakout, it will most likely form a trending trading range day. At the moment, the odds slightly favor the upside breakout and test of yesterday’s low.
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.
