Day-Trading Scenarios for Mar 18, 2026

Fed report at 2:00 PM

Before that we had disturbing reaction to the PPI reports. We start the day with all three trends down. Recovery days may be ending.

Look to short 110 tick rallies but be done by 11:00 AM Eastern. Then wait for the Fed announcement.

Resistance is 47229, then 47310. Support 46997 then 46800.

Fundamental Outlook for Today (March 18, 2026): The dominant event is the FOMC policy decision at 2:00 PM ET (widely expected to hold the target range steady at 3.50–3.75%), followed by updated economic projections (dot plot) and Chair Powell’s press conference at 2:30 PM. Markets have already priced in fewer 2026 rate cuts due to persistent inflation and oil shocks from the Middle East conflict.

This morning’s February PPI data (released 8:30 AM ET) came in hotter-than-expected:

• Headline MoM +0.7% (vs. ~0.3–0.5% forecast)

• Headline YoY +3.4% (vs. 2.9% forecast)

• Core measures also stronger.

MBA Mortgage Applications

7:00 AM ET

PPI-Final Demand

8:30 AM ET

Factory Orders

10:00 AM ET

Atlanta Fed Business Inflation Expectations

10:00 AM ET

EIA Petroleum Status Report

10:30 AM ET

Treasury Buyback Announcement (Preliminary)

11:00 AM ET

4-Month Bill Auction

11:30 AM ET

FOMC Announcement

2:00 PM ET

Fed Chair Press Conference

2:30 PM ET

Treasury International Capital

4:00 PM ET

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

DATE: 3/18/2026

TIME: 8:01 AM

HIGH: 47765

LOW: 47006

CLOSE: 47348

PIVOT: 47373

SUPPORT: 47094

RESISTANCE: 47848

SWING MAGNITUDE: 257

TIME OF COMMENT: 8:01 AM

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