Positive price activity continues to materialise within equity indices, with several over recent sessions, successfully posting new all-time high trades.
The US 500 index is no exception, with at the time of writing (7.30am Monday 30th June) a new upside extreme just posted at 6208, see chart below.
However, such moves into new all-time high ground, which effectively is uncharted territory, can offer a challenge to traders. There is obviously difficulty in assessing where next resistance levels might stand. Just because an uptrend price pattern is evident and new all-time highs are being posted, doesn’t guarantee further price strength.
There will be levels where sellers, or resistance, are found again that might create at least a short term sell-off in price, even a more extended phase of price weakness.
However, how perhaps might we be able to judge where these levels may stand, when an asset is trading at price levels previously not seen?
Within technical analysis there is a tool that can potentially help traders gauge where next resistance might be encountered – The Uptrend Channel.
Let’s take look at uptrend channels and the US 500 index, and where possible clues might be offered to where both support and resistance levels may currently stand.
The Uptrend Channel:
We have previously discussed uptrends (and downtrends) in previous reports, so please look at our timeline for further details.
However, the basic definition of an uptrend line, is a straight line connecting previous price lows. In the chart below, we look at the US 500 index and have drawn a straight line connecting the 5095 low, posted on April 21st, with 5913, the June 23rd low.
This uptrend line today (June 30th 2025) stands at 6000, and traders may now be viewing this as a potential support to price weakness, if seen. It’s held on 2 previous occasions, April 21st and June 23rd, and may do so again, if price weakness approaches this line in the future. Please note, this is a rising trendline, so the support level will move higher each day.
Now look at the chart above again, you’ll notice we have also now drawn a trendline parallel to the lower uptrend line, which connects with the 5958 May 16th price high. This line also moves higher each day, as it too represents an uptrend and today stands at 6527.
While much will continue to depend on future market sentiment and price trends, if (and as we know within trading, it is a big if!) prices continue to move higher and post new all-time price highs, traders may be watching this uptrend channel pattern to suggest both potential support and resistance price levels.
They may argue that while support, which today stands at 6000, marked by the level of the lower limits of the uptrend channel, remains intact, potential might be for a more extended phase of price strength. Possible resistance could then be 6527, the current level of the upper limits of the uptrend channel.
Please remember, these levels will change daily, and you will need to refer to your own Pepperstone charts to update these levels on a daily basis, as they will change for each sessions.
Looking Ahead:
Today marks the end of a volatile but impressive second quarter for the US 500 index. It saw a low of 4799 on Monday April 7th in the thick of the trading carnage caused by President Trump’s trade tariffs, but since the 90 day tariff pause was announced on April 9th the index has rallied steadily to register a new all time high at 6208 in Asia this morning. That’s a bounce of 29% in Q2!
The start of Q3 isn’t likely to be without its challenges, however. There are concerns that President Trump’s $4.5 trillion tax bill, that is moving through the Senate currently, could increase the US debt burden to unsustainable levels.
Also, the July 9th tariff deadline is getting closer by the day and only 1 trade deal has been announced during the 90 day pause, despite lots of talk that 10 more deals, including India, Japan and potentially the EU are in the pipeline.
Updates on the health of the US economy this week in the form of Non-farm Payrolls on Thursday (1330 BST) and ISM Services PMI (1500 BST) could be critical if markets expectations for Fed rate cuts later in the year are to materialise, and the next earnings season for US companies begins in the middle of next week as well.
How this all unfolds could help to determine whether the US 500 keeps recording new all time highs or begins to unwind the recent upside moves as risk sentiment sours again.
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. The information, whether from a third party or not, isn’t to be considered as a recommendation; or an offer to buy or sell; or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any security, financial product or instrument; or to participate in any particular trading strategy. It does not take into account readers’ financial situation or investment objectives. We advise any readers of this content to seek their own advice. Without the approval of Pepperstone, reproduction or redistribution of this information isn’t permitted.
The US 500 index is no exception, with at the time of writing (7.30am Monday 30th June) a new upside extreme just posted at 6208, see chart below.
However, such moves into new all-time high ground, which effectively is uncharted territory, can offer a challenge to traders. There is obviously difficulty in assessing where next resistance levels might stand. Just because an uptrend price pattern is evident and new all-time highs are being posted, doesn’t guarantee further price strength.
There will be levels where sellers, or resistance, are found again that might create at least a short term sell-off in price, even a more extended phase of price weakness.
However, how perhaps might we be able to judge where these levels may stand, when an asset is trading at price levels previously not seen?
Within technical analysis there is a tool that can potentially help traders gauge where next resistance might be encountered – The Uptrend Channel.
Let’s take look at uptrend channels and the US 500 index, and where possible clues might be offered to where both support and resistance levels may currently stand.
The Uptrend Channel:
We have previously discussed uptrends (and downtrends) in previous reports, so please look at our timeline for further details.
However, the basic definition of an uptrend line, is a straight line connecting previous price lows. In the chart below, we look at the US 500 index and have drawn a straight line connecting the 5095 low, posted on April 21st, with 5913, the June 23rd low.
This uptrend line today (June 30th 2025) stands at 6000, and traders may now be viewing this as a potential support to price weakness, if seen. It’s held on 2 previous occasions, April 21st and June 23rd, and may do so again, if price weakness approaches this line in the future. Please note, this is a rising trendline, so the support level will move higher each day.
Now look at the chart above again, you’ll notice we have also now drawn a trendline parallel to the lower uptrend line, which connects with the 5958 May 16th price high. This line also moves higher each day, as it too represents an uptrend and today stands at 6527.
While much will continue to depend on future market sentiment and price trends, if (and as we know within trading, it is a big if!) prices continue to move higher and post new all-time price highs, traders may be watching this uptrend channel pattern to suggest both potential support and resistance price levels.
They may argue that while support, which today stands at 6000, marked by the level of the lower limits of the uptrend channel, remains intact, potential might be for a more extended phase of price strength. Possible resistance could then be 6527, the current level of the upper limits of the uptrend channel.
Please remember, these levels will change daily, and you will need to refer to your own Pepperstone charts to update these levels on a daily basis, as they will change for each sessions.
Looking Ahead:
Today marks the end of a volatile but impressive second quarter for the US 500 index. It saw a low of 4799 on Monday April 7th in the thick of the trading carnage caused by President Trump’s trade tariffs, but since the 90 day tariff pause was announced on April 9th the index has rallied steadily to register a new all time high at 6208 in Asia this morning. That’s a bounce of 29% in Q2!
The start of Q3 isn’t likely to be without its challenges, however. There are concerns that President Trump’s $4.5 trillion tax bill, that is moving through the Senate currently, could increase the US debt burden to unsustainable levels.
Also, the July 9th tariff deadline is getting closer by the day and only 1 trade deal has been announced during the 90 day pause, despite lots of talk that 10 more deals, including India, Japan and potentially the EU are in the pipeline.
Updates on the health of the US economy this week in the form of Non-farm Payrolls on Thursday (1330 BST) and ISM Services PMI (1500 BST) could be critical if markets expectations for Fed rate cuts later in the year are to materialise, and the next earnings season for US companies begins in the middle of next week as well.
How this all unfolds could help to determine whether the US 500 keeps recording new all time highs or begins to unwind the recent upside moves as risk sentiment sours again.
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. The information, whether from a third party or not, isn’t to be considered as a recommendation; or an offer to buy or sell; or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any security, financial product or instrument; or to participate in any particular trading strategy. It does not take into account readers’ financial situation or investment objectives. We advise any readers of this content to seek their own advice. Without the approval of Pepperstone, reproduction or redistribution of this information isn’t permitted.
Global risk Warning CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading in CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFD
Disclaimer
The information and publications are not meant to be, and do not constitute, financial, investment, trading, or other types of advice or recommendations supplied or endorsed by TradingView. Read more in the Terms of Use.
Global risk Warning CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading in CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFD
Disclaimer
The information and publications are not meant to be, and do not constitute, financial, investment, trading, or other types of advice or recommendations supplied or endorsed by TradingView. Read more in the Terms of Use.