How To Trade SPY, QQQ, AAPL, MSFT, NVDA, GOOGL, META, And TSLA

Good Morning Traders!

Tuesday’s economic calendar remains relatively limited as markets move within one session of Wednesday’s FOMC rate decision and Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s press conference. Today started with Weekly ADP Employment Change, followed by Empire Manufacturing and Redbook Retail Sales. The Treasury’s 20 Year Bond Auction at 1:00PM ET represents the day’s most notable afternoon event and could influence yields as investors finalize positioning ahead of the Fed. 

The probability of a 25 basis point rate hike has now increased to approximately 92.5%, up from roughly 88.5% previously, making the hike itself increasingly close to a fully anticipated outcome. That shifts the market’s attention away from simply whether the Fed raises rates and toward what Warsh communicates about the path from here. Traders will be looking for clues on whether the Fed views this as a limited adjustment or believes additional tightening may be necessary to contain inflation. 

Because the expected hike is so heavily priced, tomorrow’s market reaction could appear counterintuitive. An actual rate increase paired with relatively cautious or less hawkish forward guidance could send Treasury yields lower and support equities. Conversely, the same 25 basis point hike accompanied by language suggesting further increases remain likely could push yields higher and pressure rate-sensitive areas such as technology. Any indication of how Warsh views inflation persistence, labor market resilience, financial conditions, and the threshold for additional tightening could therefore matter substantially more than the headline decision. 

With the major catalyst now only one session away, today’s market may become increasingly driven by pre-FOMC positioning, Treasury yields, and technical levels rather than the limited economic releases themselves. The 20 Year auction provides the clearest scheduled opportunity for rates volatility this afternoon, but otherwise traders may remain reluctant to establish aggressive directional positions before Wednesday.

Now, we will discuss SPY, QQQ, AAPL, MSFT, NVDA, GOOGL, META, and TSLA.

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY)

SPY is currently trading around 759.50 as markets continue toward Wednesday’s highly anticipated FOMC decision. With the probability of a 25 basis point rate hike now around 92.5%, today’s limited economic data is unlikely to overshadow pre-Fed positioning. If buyers defend 759.50, a move toward 765.50 may develop, followed by 771.50 if momentum builds. Sustained strength above 777.50 would improve the short term structure and put buyers back in control. 

If SPY loses 759.50 with conviction, sellers may press into 753.50. A breakdown there could expose 747.50, while continued weakness may bring the 741.50 region into focus. The 20 Year Bond Auction at 1:00PM ET provides today’s most notable afternoon rates catalyst, making Treasury yields worth monitoring as traders finalize positioning ahead of the Fed.

Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1 (QQQ)

QQQ is currently trading around 708.50 and remains particularly sensitive to interest rate expectations heading into tomorrow’s FOMC decision. If buyers defend this pivot, price may advance toward 715.50, followed by 722.50 if momentum strengthens. Sustained strength above 729.50 would indicate improving institutional demand across technology. 

If 708.50 fails to hold, sellers may drive price toward 702.00. A deeper breakdown could expose 695.50, while continued weakness may bring the 689.00 region into play. With the expected rate hike increasingly priced in, tomorrow’s guidance on what comes next may ultimately matter much more for growth stocks than the 25 basis point move itself.

Apple Inc. (AAPL)

AAPL is currently trading around 331.50 and continues to demonstrate relative strength compared with several other mega cap technology names. If buyers defend this pivot, price may rotate toward 336.75, followed by 342.00 if momentum builds. Sustained strength above 347.25 would reinforce the bullish short term structure. 

If 331.50 breaks lower, sellers may test 326.50 quickly. Continued downside pressure could extend into 321.50, while deeper weakness may bring the 316.50 region into focus. Continued outperformance heading into FOMC would remain a constructive indication of institutional demand.

Microsoft Corp. (MSFT)

MSFT is currently trading around 500.25 and sitting directly on the psychologically important 500 level. If buyers establish acceptance above this area, price may advance toward 507.50, followed by 514.75 if momentum builds. Sustained strength above 522.00 would materially improve the short term structure and reinforce institutional sponsorship. 

If 500.25 fails to hold, sellers may press into 493.25. A deeper pullback could test 486.25, while continued weakness may bring the 479.25 region into play. With rates front and center, the battle around 500 should provide a useful read on appetite for large cap technology.

NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA)

NVDA is currently trading around 212.25 and remains an important leadership gauge for semiconductors and QQQ. If buyers defend this pivot, a move toward 219.25 may develop, followed by 226.25 if momentum strengthens. Sustained trade above 233.25 would improve the short term structure and indicate renewed semiconductor participation. 

If 212.25 fails to hold, sellers may test 206.25 quickly. Continued downside could bring the psychological 200 area into focus, followed by 194.25 if weakness accelerates. NVDA’s sensitivity to yields makes tomorrow’s Fed guidance particularly important for determining whether buyers begin returning more aggressively.

Alphabet Inc Class A (GOOGL)

GOOGL is currently trading around 346.00 and continues attempting to extend its recent stabilization. If buyers defend this level, price may rotate toward 352.50, followed by 359.00 if momentum improves. Sustained strength above 365.50 would indicate a more meaningful recovery attempt. 

If 346.00 fails to hold, sellers may guide price toward 340.00. A breakdown there could expose 334.00, while continued weakness may bring the 328.00 region into play. Relative performance against QQQ remains particularly important after GOOGL’s extended period of underperformance.

Meta Platforms Inc (META)

META is currently trading around 661.50 and continues to demonstrate significant relative strength after its recovery above 600. If buyers defend this pivot, a push toward 669.50 may develop, followed by 677.50 if momentum builds. Sustained strength above 685.50 would reinforce the bullish structure and continued institutional demand. 

If 661.50 breaks lower, sellers may guide price toward 654.00. A deeper pullback could test 646.50, while continued weakness may bring the 639.00 region into focus. META remains one of the stronger relative performers among the mega caps heading into the Fed decision.

Tesla Inc. (TSLA)

TSLA is currently trading around 358.50 and continues to consolidate within its recent recovery structure. If buyers defend this pivot, a move toward 367.00 may develop, followed by 375.50 if momentum continues. Sustained strength above 384.00 would reinforce bullish momentum and indicate stronger speculative demand. 

If 358.50 fails to hold, sellers may test 350.50 quickly. Continued downside pressure could extend into 342.50, while deeper weakness may bring the 334.50 region into play. With today’s macro calendar relatively quiet, technical positioning and broader pre-FOMC risk sentiment could have greater influence.

Final Word: Good luck and trade safely!

Benzinga Disclaimer: This article is from an unpaid external contributor. It does not represent Benzinga’s reporting and has not been edited for content or accuracy.