Trade Plan for 3/16-3/20

Beware the Ides of March

Both $ES/SPX futures and $RTY/small caps futures failed bull flags in the previous week, so we saw downside continuation last week. $ES/SPX futures did whiff major support at the lows, before recovering, so the question is now whether that major support holds this week.

I was bearish for precious metals once again last week because of 3 pts of confirmed bearish weekly divergence for $GDX/gold miners equities.

My crude and $XOP/oil equities levels performed well. I was watching 111.11 as major resistance. After an initial rejection we saw price surge higher, but once it got back below, it was a fantastic drop into support before bouncing. ✅

Summary of Market Action Last Week:

· The indices gapped down on last Sunday’s open and hit lows for the week overnight popping into midweek. We saw weakness at the end of the week, with a higher low from the open barely being held onto. $NQ/Nasdaq futures was the slight (and surprising) relative strength winner for the third week in a row.

· Precious metals declined for the week. $GDX/gold miners was the worst equity performer once again.

· $XOP/oil equities booked gains once again, while $CL/Crude Oil futures reached highs for the week on Sunday’s open and then traded with notable volatility.

Here’s how last week closed out:

For the week ahead (3/16 – 3/20/26)