SPX Order-Flow & Technical Analysis for Today with tradeCompass (Sep 4, 2025)Hello traders and investors, before the NFP is out in a few hours, we start out with looking at the data of the SPX as of yesterday's close. We follow up with a S&P 500 futures analysis, at the bottom of this page, according to the tradeCompass methodology. Let's dive in to the SPX firstSPX is bullish above: 6510.8–6511.0 (clear acceptance above today’s high)SPX is bearish below: 6507.5 (session low)Primary bias: Slight bearish tiltPartial targets (both directions):VWAP (intraday “fair value”)Developing POC (volume profile magnet)Value Area High / Value Area Low (today’s VAH/VAL)Market context & directional biasSpot: ~6509.8 at the time of the snapshot.Session range: 6507.5 – 6510.8.Options order flow: Net option delta ≈ –2,133, with bearish pressure –35,949 vs bullish +33,816 deltas → a mild negative on-balance read.Weighted averages: Bullish W‑Avg 6509.09 vs Bearish W‑Avg 6509.16 → tight balance around 6509.1–6509.2 (micro pivot).Backdrop: Technical label shows Uptrend and 30‑day IV 11.8 (subdued). Put OI > Call OI on the snapshot, which slightly leans defensive, but intraday execution still hinges on the thresholds above.Takeaway: We’re hovering at a micro‑pivot (~6509.1–6509.2) with a small bearish skew in option delta. Momentum confirmation is needed: strength only if price can accept above 6510.8–6511.0; weakness confirmed below 6507.5.Key levels & partial‑profit planUse these as first scale‑out points after entry confirmation:VWAP: Price often reverts to VWAP after extensions; treat it as the first “fair‑value” exit on both long and short ideas.Developing POC: Today’s Point of Control tends to pull price; scale out as price tags it or stalls around it.Value Area Boundaries (VAH/VAL): Expect reactions; bank partials into the first touch, then trail.Practical map:Longs: Require acceptance above 6510.8–6511.0; first target VWAP, then POC, then VAH if VWAP/POC sit below.Shorts: Require acceptance below 6507.5; first target VWAP, then POC, then VAL if alignment favors.How to use this compassIf price fails to sustain above the bullish threshold, treat that as potential short back toward VWAP/POC. A clean break below the bearish threshold signals a deeper bearish phase toward VAL or lower bands. Always scale out at the logical magnets (VWAP/POC/VAH–VAL) to reduce risk while letting a runner test the next level.Educational quick hit: Dynamic VWAP bandsVWAP’s standard‑deviation bands expand in trends and contract in ranges. Traders use them to:Identify regime: Expanding bands → trending conditions; contracting → consolidation.Define entries: Reactions at outer bands often frame mean‑reversion or breakout retests.Manage risk: Stops just beyond a band can keep risk disciplined.Manage positions: First scale‑outs at VWAP/bands, then trail—especially effective when combined with volume profile (POC/VAH/VAL).Trade management remindersOne trade per direction under tradeCompass rules—avoid overtrading.After your first partial, reduce risk by moving stops toward breakeven or behind VWAP/POC structure.Confirmation is flexible: e.g., two 5‑min closes beyond a threshold or a timed hold (≈10–15 min) with supportive delta/volume.Stops belong just beyond your trigger threshold or behind the nearest structural level—not across the opposite compass threshold.Options market on SPX tells us that...Today’s net option delta –2,133 with nearly equal bullish/bearish weighted averages says balance with a bearish edge. Combine this with price acceptance around 6511/6507.5 to time entries; don’t rely on order flow alone—let price confirm.Now let's dive into the S&P 500 Futures Analysis for TodayS&P 500 Futures Market Context & Directional BiasS&P 500 E-mini futures (ES) marked a fresh all-time high in pre-market trading, but momentum has stalled as the market awaits today’s non-farm payrolls report. Historically, in the hours before a major data release, range-bound behavior is common as traders reduce exposure.At the time of writing, ES is trading near 6,525, sitting just under today’s Value Area High (6,527.75). The fair value zone is anchored around the VWAP at 6,521.95 and POC at 6,521.75. On the downside, today’s Value Area Low sits at 6,518.75, while yesterday’s value levels cluster below at 6,516.50 (VAH) and 6,511 (POC).This tight structure suggests most breakout attempts are likely to fade until NFP provides direction. The tradeCompass map therefore emphasizes controlled, short-range targets with risk management front and center.S&P 500 Futures Key Levels & Partial-Profit Strategy for Today (05 Sept, 2025)Bearish scenarios (below 6,527):First reaction level at 6,522 (VWAP zone), where fair value often acts as a magnet.Next pause expected around 6,519 (just above VAL), likely to attract liquidity.Additional downside checkpoint at 6,517, near today’s low-volume edge.Further extension possible to 6,514.5, a liquidity pocket linked to yesterday’s highs.Deeper bearish probe may touch 6,511.5, just above yesterday’s POC.Bullish scenarios (above 6,535):First upside target at 6,540, a logical extension point.Continuation into 6,545, testing early breakout enthusiasm.If momentum sustains, possible stretch toward 6,550.Educational Insight: Why VWAP, Value Area, and POC MatterFor intraday traders, these reference points are not arbitrary.VWAP (Volume Weighted Average Price): Reflects where the bulk of trading has occurred relative to volume. Prices gravitating back to VWAP signal reversion to perceived fair value.Value Area (VAH/VAL): Defines the 70% zone of trading activity. Price tends to oscillate within these bounds unless strong directional pressure emerges.Point of Control (POC): The single price level with the highest traded volume, often acting as a magnet intraday.Together, these metrics help traders recognize when price is likely to mean-revert versus when genuine imbalance emerges. The tradeCompass methodology integrates them into clear bullish and bearish thresholds, simplifying decision-making in complex market conditions.S&P 500 Futures Trade Management Reminders (...according to the tradeCompass methodology)One trade per direction at a time within tradeCompass.Take partial profits as levels are hit and move stops to entry after the second target.Stops should not be placed beyond the opposite threshold (e.g., don’t hold shorts if price sustains above 6,535).Stay flexible: range days can turn into trend days if NFP sparks a decisive break.Outlook Beyond NFPWhile today’s map is focused on intraday ranges, traders should keep in mind that a negative NFP shock could shift the bias. Below 6,485 (yesterday’s VWAP), downside swing targets emerge at 6,450 (round number liquidity pool) and 6,439 (September 3rd VAL).DisclaimerThis analysis is for decision support only. It is not financial advice. Futures trading involves significant risk, and traders should evaluate their own risk tolerance before acting. Always trade at your own risk and adapt to evolving market conditions. Visit investingLive.com for additional views This article was written by Itai Levitan at investinglive.com.