Nasdaq 100 (NQ) Analysis, Key-Zones, Setup for Fri (Aug 14)E-mini Nasdaq-100 FuturesCME_MINI:NQ1!MyAlgoIndexBias: Bullish but extended. The Nasdaq-100 pushed to fresh highs Thursday as a second straight cool inflation print reinforced the case for policy patience and pulled technology back into leadership. The September E-mini settled at 30,188.50, with the Nasdaq-100 complex gaining roughly 1.2% and clearly outpacing the broad market, a sign that mega-cap technology and the artificial-intelligence theme carried the session. Price sits above every major moving average, breadth was positive, and near-term trend strength is building. The counterweight is extension: momentum oscillators are pinned at overbought, price is grinding into a dense supply band that runs up toward the prior record high near 31,100, dealer positioning has flipped to a posture that amplifies moves in both directions, and downside hedging demand is unusually rich even as spot makes new highs. Friday adds a first-order morning data event and marks the run into monthly options expiration, which tends to pin the market. The preferred expression is to buy a controlled pullback into support rather than chase strength into resistance. Resistance: 30,226 (session and evening high) 30,244 (prior-day high) 30,272 to 30,278 (one-month high, target band, first-test fade) 30,380 (first pivot resistance) 30,452 (one standard-deviation resistance) 30,561 to 30,573 (two standard-deviation and second pivot resistance, confluence) 30,644 (three standard-deviation resistance) 30,872 (third pivot resistance) 30,975 to 31,100 (52-week high band, prior record-high ceiling) Support: 30,188 (Thursday settle) 30,080 (daily pivot, key intraday line) 29,922 to 29,925 (5-day average and one standard-deviation support) 29,888 (first pivot support) 29,776 (9-day average reference) 29,733 (three standard-deviation support) 29,588 (second pivot support) 29,523 (50-day average) 29,409 to 29,396 (40-day average and third pivot support, confluence) 29,079 (20-day average) Primary Setup: Buy the pullback. With the trend up but price overbought into resistance, the higher-quality location is a dip into the 29,900 to 29,950 support shelf, with a secondary tranche at the 30,080 pivot on a shallow hold. Structural stop below 29,820. Targets 30,188, then the 30,244 to 30,272 band, then 30,380 on continuation, roughly 1:1.4, 1:3 and 1:4.6 across the scale-out. Alternate is a breakout-continuation long on acceptance above 30,278 toward 30,380 and 30,452, stop below 30,226. No entries before 9:45 ET, stand aside through the first reaction to the 8:30 retail-sales print, and do not chase into the supply band without a pullback or a confirmed breakout.