US 500 - Has All the Good News Been Priced?US 500 IndexPEPPERSTONE:US500PepperstoneAfter a volatile and nervy 5 days for US stock indices the week ended on a slightly more stable and positive footing. In relation to the US 500 index this volatility saw it open on Monday November 3rd around 6885, trade down to a low of 6633 early on Friday November 7th, before rallying by over 1% late in the session to close the week at 6742. The driver for the rally was news that Democrats and Republican lawmakers had restarted negotiations to try and resolve what has become the longest US government shutdown in history. This shutdown has been reported by Bloomberg to be costing the US economy around $15 billion per week in lost productivity and has stopped the release of key US economic data readings, leaving Federal Reserve (Fed) policymakers in the dark regarding the health of the US labour market (Non-farm Payrolls) and the direction of inflation (CPI/PPI/PCE). Two areas which are crucial in helping them decide whether they have room, or the need to cut interest rates again at their next meeting in December. Perhaps unsurprisingly, after a jittery week where the lofty valuations of AI firms were called into question and weighed on the price of the US 500 index, traders may now be looking at whether a resolution to the shutdown, which would restart the economic data flow again ahead of the Fed’s next rate decision on December 10th could be possible, bringing with it a potentially much needed boost to flagging sentiment. On Sunday, traders received the news that the Senate had moved closer to an agreement, an update which has helped the US 500 to register an early gain of 0.5% (6790 at 0700 GMT) to start this new trading week. However, even if the agreed bill is eventually passed by the Senate, it must be approved by the House of Representatives and signed by President Trump (Reuters), meaning there could be more volatility ahead for the US 500. Technical Update: Conflicting Signals Within Weekly & Daily Perspectives Since the October 30th all-time high at 6925, the US 500 index has slipped just over 4.2%, reflecting an unwind of potentially over-extended upside conditions. Looking at the charts there appears to be conflicting technical signals between the weekly and daily perspectives at present, leaving the directional bias uncertain heading into the new week. Upcoming sessions could offer clarity on whether the constructive themes emerging on the daily chart or the possibly negative developments evident in the weekly view may take control. Weekly Chart – Potential Negative Outlook?: Over the past three weeks, a possible Evening Star pattern has emerged on the weekly chart, a potentially negative development. Last week’s price weakness may have completed a sentiment shift, and if downside momentum builds, it could lead to further declines in the sessions ahead. It remains to be seen whether this leads to further price weakness, but downside pressure may now build. If developed further, breaks below support at 6503, the October 2025 low could materialise, opening the door to a deeper phase of weakness toward 6214, a level equal to the August 2025 low, potentially even 6105, the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement of the April to October 2025 rally. Daily Chart – Potential Positive Sentiment Shift?: Following the recent sharp price decline, the daily chart presents a dilemma for traders, especially against the backdrop of a potentially negative weekly setup. Friday’s session initially extended recent downside moves but found support at 6647, the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement of the April to October rally. From there, fresh strength emerged, and the session closed near its opening level at the upper end of the day’s range. Candlestick analysis suggests a potentially positive Dragonfly Doji has formed, hinting at an attempt to resume price strength. Confirmation is key, a positive candle on Monday, seen with a close above todays 6769 opening level, would offer weight to this pattern. While not a guarantee of further upside, such activity might also see a close above resistance at 6779 (half the latest decline) a level at present being tested (0700 GMT), to potentially suggest a retest of 6925, the October 30th high. Initially it is unclear whether the weekly or daily outlook will gain the upper hand in the US 500 index, but next week’s price action, especially the moves on Monday, could be important. With the weekly chart hinting at a negative reversal risk and the daily chart showing signs of potential stabilisation, even possible positive risks, Monday’s candle direction may offer clues, and traders may be watching closely for evidence of the next directional themes. The material provided here has not been prepared accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Whilst it is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research, we will not seek to take any advantage before providing it to our clients. Pepperstone doesn’t represent that the material provided here is accurate, current or complete, and therefore shouldn’t be relied upon as such. 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