Updated

NQ Range (08-03-26)

YTD view of points per direction (Long vs Short). The current YTD gain in points 2,562 (9.96%). This is much less than the BTD play in early April of 7,865 (33.81%). The recent earl June drop was -12% or 3,896 in points. This drop had the NAZ only about 1500 or 6% away from 2026 Open Level (OL). Interesting point is that the NQ is 9% below ATH and 10% above 2026 OL. NAZ is mid range or a No Trade Zone (NTZ), unless you plan to Scalp some moves until Breakout. The BO would come out of the Diablo's, this may take awhile. This is a month Post/Forecast.

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The upper 85% KL only changed slightly after the recent drop. This may suggest a stronger case for continued range bound or CZ activity. YTD the NAZ is up 2,500 in points. After approximately 140 trading days the average Closed Daily Points is 18, per day. 2026 should continue to provide more opportunities with intraday Scalp trades as the average daily High/Low range is about 500.

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Gap up as usual, always in the off session or when markets are closed. This may set up the massive & final Pinocchio Trade. Gap fill set up for next move.

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Gap Fill and back in range, Scalp until it breaks.

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Still an NTZ as in mid of Diablo Range, reason for scalping all of these.

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Orange TL retest, 1st day of month and this may continue with PB tomorrow if no rejection here, FYI. Back Later.

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AP at 28,800 or under, may see PB at no pass.

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FA Spike, these usually fall back some.

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So, this may look good but just average on low to normal volume. Gap Open Sunday got the retest and back up but inside typical daily range of 500-600 points. First day of new month with new money pop is all we probably have here. I would use a stop on the long or get out prior to the Close.

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29,500 may be the Key Level (KL) to watch should the lift get that high. I would think that the Smart Money player's sold to the BTD/FOMO type above that level, may be doing it here back to the KL. The recent 12% drop can retrace back up some, prior to a retest. I doubt this is a U Turn that may just fly back up to the Top of CZ (30,300 - 500) in a few days. We have seen a good and expected move (1,700 point bounce), 3 days is pretty quick on the volume that generated it. BTD/FOMO Forever (weekends, holidays & the overnight).

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8/4 Update, Typical couple hundred point O/N lift for a retest during Open Drive, then next move. Since low of 27,200 on 7/29, this has been the Flip/Spike Long push by the magicians. Down side: the white arrow's are the drop tests that got bought, the areas to watch now are the 3 yellow arrows for a PB retest. Result and strength of result is what to watch for. Looking for follow through up/down. Long side: 29,150 is a TLX, 180 KL and 360-521 above is the TZ (Turn Zone).

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Perfect Spike into the TZ, lets see what it does after the initial Drive.

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521 Rejection, needs to stay under and retest 29,200 or so.

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Should PB for 100 or so to 520

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Looks like 890

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Back to DZ

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Through the CZ is 2 days, struggles to get lower but just fly's up.

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Upper target hit and may go sideways. Look for PB or O/N pop and Pull Back tomorrow. Did not expect this so quickly, may see decent pull back should this stall out.

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30K, funny this is that the volume is only at 500k. Does not really say heavy buying, more like only buying and is most likely a drop offset or redirect to offset the drop that may follow.

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Strange one, my indicator usually will show 10-15 100 point moves during the day. Today had only 3, 2 down and 1 up. Not normal at all, watch counter move over next day or so.

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Final

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8/5 Update, Narrow O/N session after massive normal volume pop yesterday. Two day view of IDS50 chart, I would look SHORT over the next few days, this one is defiantly going to drop test after it gets any selling or rejection.

Look at the CZ with NAZ just struggling to get lower on 16M Vol over 44 days, this gets retraced (mostly) in 7 days on 2.5M Vol. Review prior Post's, this is an Air Pocket, Head Fake, Long Trap in a Churn Zone. We also have seen much of the move up with Gap/Overnight PA.

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Place your Short Trade target at the yellow arrow, that should be next real test for bigger next move. The lift will fade and stall out, need to let BTD/FOMO's play their ONLY hand.

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Open Drive in 2M, if we see Push/Pull PA today that is an indicator of a PB or drop on the way. No P/P, let it ride up until stall out. Chart below is weak O/N narrow range with no lift. May se rig pop off the bat in O/R.

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P/P example, watch these

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Getting ready, hang on. Looks like the tricks are fading some. May go sideways as the PA is very weak to almost dead.

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30,350-365 is a Short at rejection and will retest 29,925 for next move

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Back later, PA is too slow for me. Rejection at KL mention is scalp Short, has to get rejected.

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P/P, will place stop at 750

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Out may go to 850

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27,410, yep. NAZ will start new CZ

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Watch 825-50 reaction

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Play the range

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Back later, something is fishy here.

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Note: The volume during most O/N Sessions is about 100,000 contracts (mini), the Notional Value is $586,000. One NQ is equal to 585K and used to move the index. When the Reg Session opens the volume will add an additional 400 or so in contracts. For years, the pre Open movement has been used to Pump/Dump or redirect and Reg Session drops. The 1 way PA during the O/N is the challenge as the Reg usually will go sideways to lower. Take that and the Wash ST involvement and you can go insane with the whipsaw. Also, the YTD average High to Low daily range is 500 points while typical daily keep is just 30 points. Example: 1/1/26 through 7/10/26, 130 trading days at 500 = 97,500 points and the same period index gain in pints is 3,958 (3,958/130 is 30). Get 60 points per day and you basically double that of the Index. YR by YR NDX Index gains in points: 2020, 4,200 / 2021, 3,500 / 2022, -4,500 / 2023, 4,500 / 2024, 4,300 & 2025, 4,200. Divide the annual points by 240 and you have the Closed Daily Points. Intraday Scalping (both ways) is the only way to go. BTD/FOMO's are trapped going 1 way.

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SpaceX lost an engine today. Yesterday was its drop offset, see the pattern. The buying (like yesterday) may have been the selling from the Pro's to the buying by the Retail BTD's. We will not really know as we Churn for days and the cycle has to play out until a massive drop shows up. Just watch the O/N try and Rig this up tonight, back tomorrow.

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8/6 Update, Going back my original style daily forecast for today, we need to get in the weeds on this one. Yellow arrow is BO on 1st chart. 2nd chart will have the yellow targets as KL's and the highest KL is the Strong Short. The play is target to target (to and from) until we BO of the CZ. You can see we are MID CZ that started back on May 8th, now siting on the Danger Zone of the upper Diablo.
1st Chart

2nd Chart

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IDS 2 day view, play range for BO and next move here.

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Current O/N range ML (mid level) is KL 521. Long above KL BO and short under or BO lower direction. Just watch the head fakes and such, as usual the Reg Session may go sideways until next O/N session or the F-M Long Play attempt.
Out most of morning, back later. BTD/FOMO's may bail should the NAZ not resume moving up. That group is easy to predict.

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Scalp the range, as usual. Reg will go sideway until next move. Back at ML of O/N

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BO after that sideways move will or may try white above or yellow below. These are your extreme targets for the next day or so. Scalp the range until the break out attempt.

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Here we go

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Range bound

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Like I said, sideways to the overnight for some help to hold or prop back up. Games are getting old but have been working.

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Final, new one regarding the wicks. NAZ can't make a decision. The O/N magicians will try and fix that (UP).

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8/7 Update, O/N with lift, looking for usual F-M Long Play or bust.

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KL 521, Long above and short below

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O/N volume is at the usual 100k (normal), next play is the Reg Session Open Drive dump or pop into the F-M Long Play. patterns patterns patterns

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IDS View, vertical and needs some follow through in the Reg, back later.

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I can't make it up, back to upper target and rejected for now.

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Just watch under 750 today

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NDX on Danger Zone, like a magnet.

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750 vertical, notice we are above the KL 521 (long above) and are staying away from the KL.

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Needs to pass upper high or target. Any rejection may drop quickly.

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NAZ is desperately trying to get the safe zone of the overnight for some easy lifting, not sure it will make it.

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Spike up all day, just can't keep going. The O/N will fix that with ease. Have great weekend. Long above KL 521 was all you needed.

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8/10 Update, Price Action has been showing serious weakness over the past week or so, looking for the Spike pops to fade away as the direction should head lower. NAZ inside the Triangle here, may get things going or produce some more sideways to nowhere PA.

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Today look for same as Friday. Long above 521 and Short below, this should retest 521 easily. NAZ just went in the Triangle of quicksand.

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1st 15 min or so, not sure how much longer we have to wait for so good PA to come back, this is painful. Looking for Triangle strangle as we let the BTD/FOMO's try to play their 1 move on this Monday.

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Back later, do not go Long the volume is low and weak with zero strength. May go up some but will most like Snap back with a Push/Pull move.

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Range, let's see if the KL 521 is attempted by Close of O/N Session

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1st narrow day since pop on 7/29, the average range has been 500 points or so. Up in this range may be challenging, lower may be decent long set up on a hold.

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Closed near low, look for KL's as targets.

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8/11 Update, NAZ is Mid Level of the 2 KL's and still running on below average volume. Needs to break out of the range, may try KL 521 drop/pop during the Open Drive. Other move up 1st with rejection will send it to KL 512.

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YTD & current forecast to month end. Looks like 29,150-350 is the Danger Zone should we go lower for a retest (should some selling volume show up). Not sure the low buying volume can get this above ATH. Recent drop took us near previous 2026 high, may retest again with a stall out. Just not sure if this current churn zone since May 5th is setting up the lift or exit. Reg Session heavier volume (next few days) will be a clue.

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NDX update, NAZ sitting on the DZ KL 635, coincidence?

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200 MA below (blue line) may be in view and why the volume is slowing. Waiting on the increase with in volume (selling side) may be the curveball. Stalled Long spikes and Push/Pull price action is what to look for as the chase play may be next.

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Churn Churn Churn

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NAZ struck in the quicksand.

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Slowness is due to continue low volume, getting pretty boring as NAZ continues to struggle to get lower. This may be setting up a change as we have been in the CZ for months.

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Trying for KL 521, watch the reaction here.

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680ish should reject on way back up, or it may keep going up. Range is 680-521 now.

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Take that or wait for the next hit, you make the call. Under 490 may get this drop going and above may float up.

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Back to 680 for a retest and next move. Generally stayed in the 680-521 range.

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8/12 Update, The drop to near KL 521 yesterday did pop some, mostly in the current Overnight Session. The chart below will show the O/N Lifting with Reg Session selling. NAZ is trying to stabilize as we wait for next move. Pattern would suggest a sell in the Reg today. That would suggest the current lift is a Pump/Dump set up. Scalp all moves until BO.

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Breakout of current CZ range may attempt the white arrow on this chart, we may see the F-M Long play. Just notice that most lifting during the off Reg Session, usually will remain in control when there is low volume (in general) like now. Unless we see P/D, this may try the Long side in Reg after 1st 30M or so.

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1 hour until Open, still in range. If the O/N can't get this higher then the Reg may be in trouble or try 1st move higher as test to see who is who.

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KL 30,000 Hit, we need to see some power today for this t lift and stay up. Recently my indicator has been showing less than 5 intraday moves or signals. The prior days I was seeing 15 plus, movement has died so be careful on any Long Side.

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No movement, not sure what happened.

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Needs to pass white arrow and stay above, rejection would be the drop. The O/N on deck may delay that one.

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1st hit on que, let's see the next.

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Under 940 should try 825. Hey, we have some movement.

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Trying for it

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These have been the lowest volume days of the YEAR, may get sloppy or just Tank.

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Hit 825 and out

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8/13 Update, Still narrow with very little movement, took the Short Scalp prior to O/N session. I have highlighted below the 6% "normal volume" day that is still a mystery. Seems like we stay above that by going sideways (forever) or drop back in and retest the lower range of the lift. Just not seeing the strength to lift the NAZ above/near my upper white arrow target at 30,200. It may take the F-M Long into Weekend Gap Lift move to BO higher, that or a holiday session when the markets are closed.

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Narrow with AP below for the Short side. Long side, hold your nose (with a stop).

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As we head into the Open, Volume is 30-40% lower then normal. We usually see 100k of so of NQ MINI and we are at 70k.
Any to heavy selling will drop this, it is just math.

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BO attempt to 200, needs to pass or stay above KL 30,072

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VERTICAL, stop under this one if on.

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AP under 260

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Upper hit, may be max lift

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Prior AP filled, now the lower indicator will create an AP or fill in and try for 27k ish.

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M potential on drop under KL. Still seeing mostly lifting on the same lowish volume.

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What we are looking at, the prior narrow days set up the push higher or this is a head fake, if not. Heavy volume will show up to either side to finalize the move (whichever).

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Needs to get going

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Needs to retest 30,100 for next move, if lower. Algo's are locked Long.

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230 drop or pop now. We have not seen a spike in either direction in a while. Spike stall counter may be next.

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3 and half month churn zone, we have gone nowhere. Drop back in will try 29,150 and above 30,500 (days ahead).

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30,500 is KL of 85% Rule, 27K was the lift zone. These moves are reliable as Turn Zones.

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30,100 should get a test before next move up, if going to 30,500

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Final 5 minute PA should follow through in the O/N. back tomorrow.

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8/14 Update, Will start new Post after today as this one is getting long and hit upper target. The recent lift looks very much like the price action that we saw from 5/19 - 6/3, review the Post's. On 6/4 we went lower for a retest as the lift was a massive Air Pocket. Not saying that is the next move, but most likely. Just watch the Long Trapper you BTD/FOMO's. Anyway, like I said regarding KL 30,100 the NAZ went near and up and away. Most likely we see the typical Friday - Monday Long Only Rally into the Weekend for the Gap Open Up on Sunday, sideways on Monday with the Drop on Tuesday PLAY. No rally today, Get Short.

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KL 30,100 hit, Long above and Short below if not already on Short.

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Yesterday appears to be the typical low volume Pump/Dump should this stay under KL 30,100

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Down here a 30,040 hold may scalp back to 30,200, use a stop if going long here.

Order cancelled

Range is 30,040 - 30,240, closing Post and will update new next week. Have a great weekend and BTD/FOMO Forever on the no - low volume. PA is too slow foe me.

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Interesting that we are back here.

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Notice how the NAZ is inside the 2nd FA Spike, needs to stay above the 1st or lower one, under that will drop and above will pop back up to CZ Top. Not sure this sideways to O/N safe play will work today, looks like the play here.

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8/3 Chart

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8/14 Chart

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BO above or PB to low of range, looking for Pull Back with some force this time.

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Slowness is killing me, back to delivering Pizza's at this rate. Pizza Pizza, Where is Captain Tweety?

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May June July average per day vol is 550K, we have been well below that near 400ish, at 350K (Now Today), has to be a Signal

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Points to Burn, going with 5 Short at 30,085, No Stop and No Target (29,900 looks good though). May be early, I usually get like this prior to the big move (early). If so, burn them and reload.

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Final hour on a Friday and the market is stable, not at all normal. Big move next, hopefully lower or back to the Pizza Oven

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35 min to go Vol at 352K, what?

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This may be why the Rig Hold, 10YN Yield may pop next week and hurt equities.

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Needs to get under 30,072, will hold it if not by close and expect gap open under on Sunday.

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May be weak long Flip Zone after stall out, or not. Pizza Toast may be the Dinner.

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Don't fear the Reaper, will leave it.

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8/17 Update, Still on will work with it as longer play. Anyway the games continue with the same old patterns and tricks to the Long Side. This is why the probability of another decent Pullback drop test is high (decent = 1k plus point move).
To start the 2nd FA to the left needs a hit, the O/N was use again with Gap Open and Long lift on half the the normal volume, the lift target was above Friday 5M O/R. Reg to show more of the same slow lift long side or kick in some volume with some selling to drop test the KL's below.

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Play today on chart below, Vertical arrow is TZ (Major Turn Zone), 30,225 top of CZ (Churn Zone), 30,100 TLX & 30,072 is KL from last week. Drop test near TLX, short below KL 072 and Long on Hold after rejection is TZ. No TZ pop lift attempt, Strong Short below lower KL's.

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CZ Top hit, watch 10YN Yield this week.

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May be an O/N Pump/Dump set up. I did mention that I do tend to be early on some of these major Shorts, we will see.

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O/R range is upper shaded zone, back later. BTD/FOMO on low volume with the small crowd of buyers.

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5M Open Range is on lower side of SZ. 240 is KL under is Short and above may pop up some.

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Still in SZ with zero strength, under KL 240

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Just notice how it is under O/N high in the Reg. Trying for sideways to O/N safe zone.

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Has to get under TLX or will close Short.

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TLX Hit, hold is a Long, closing the Short.

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This is the Drop Test, TLX hold is Long and under is Short.

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Just too odd these days. So once again we get a lift during the markets being closed (Gap up into Sunday Open), then a lift in the Overnight Session and now a drop test during the Reg Session. After the drop, SIDEWAYS to the next O/N for most likely a lift in that O/N. Mentioned many times, take away the O/N lifts and the NAZ is at 15K. Rig Clowns next and if not, get your Shorts out.

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Watch, I was early on the SHORT and just got the Shakeout, they are remarkable with 2 moves: the Shakeout & the Chase Me FOMO.

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Looks like all you needed today was the lower ARROW with the direct HIT to the TLX

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29,600 may the spot to watch should the very old O/N tricks fail. Look at 6 of prior 7 O/N sessions and then look at the Reg PA/Direction. 8/6 was the last time the Reg came up (after an O/N drop, rare). Today may set up the decent drop or 1k ish move. Just watch the next few days. If so, do not let them shake you out.

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8/18 Update, 29,600 Indeed! Just notice that most movement (up or down) will happen in the Overnight or Gap moves when the market is closed. Even I got the shakeout on the decent Short. 1k point move, we are halfway there should the BTD/FOMO's not step in.

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BY the way, you can now get the Range Bar Script off my Profile.
Just need to message the request to get access.
Click on Chart

MAZing

MAZing TV Author: NQ Futures daily forecasting of Open Range, intraday key levels & outright long/short trade calls. One index, One trading system (IDS), 6 year history of daily forecast's & trade calls. Not the "The Amazing Trader" & Zero AI, 100% Human

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MAZing