Archive / Asia session

Asia Open Briefing — Thu, Aug 20

      Published August 20, 2026 · Asia session open · ES & NQ futures, translated to SPY/QQQ
    

Leaning bearish 25/100

Tone

Price action into the Asia open carries a clear defensive bias following a steady succession of lower highs and lower lows across the prior session. ES is pressing into session lows around 7,661.50, while NQ holds slightly above its local sweep at 29,200.00. The broader structure remains soft, with rallies failing to gain acceptance above previous breakdown points.

Key levels — futures & ETF equivalents

      ES breakdown resistance
      7,680.00 (SPY ~$768.00)
    

      ES prior swing high
      7,710.00 (SPY ~$771.00)
    

      NQ local low support
      29,200.00 (QQQ ~$712.20)
    

      NQ breakdown resistance
      29,350.00 (QQQ ~$715.85)
    

Positioning views

SPY premarket levels QQQ premarket levels ES overnight levels NQ overnight levels

Market Structure Academy

Market Profile POC VAH VAL Overnight inventory Failed auction Overnight high/low Previous close

On the calendar

The overnight docket features Japanese Flash Manufacturing PMI followed by UK and European Flash PMIs in the early European morning. These regional activity prints serve as the primary macro checkpoints for overnight liquidity.

News backdrop: Neutral · 45 macro headlines, last 24h (Alpha Vantage)

Published as it was generated, exactly as delivered to subscribers at the time — not edited or curated after the fact. Informational commentary only, not trade signals or personalized financial advice. New terms? See the glossary.

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