SPY – April 29, 2025 – Where to Next After This Push?Looking at SPY on the daily chart, it’s been riding a solid recovery wave from that sharp drop in early April. The last seven sessions have all printed green candles, showing persistent demand — but now we’re pressing right into the resistance zone around $554–$555, which aligns with the top of a previous range before that breakdown. The MACD histogram is still rising, showing bullish momentum, and the Stoch RSI is curled up in overbought territory. That’s not a sell signal on its own — it just means we’re extended and probably due for a cooldown.
When I zoom into the 1-hour chart, I notice something more subtle — SPY has been grinding up within a rising wedge. The candles are getting tighter near the top channel line, and volume is starting to fade a bit. That tells me we’re at a spot where either momentum explodes higher... or this move starts to stall out.
Now, overlay that with the GEX map, and here’s what jumps out:
* $555 is a thick cluster of Call Wall and Net GEX resistance — 44.9% of second-tier call positioning is stacked there.
* Above that, $557–$560 also has GEX walls, so upside beyond $555 could get sold into unless we see strong breakout volume.
* On the flip side, $547 and $545 remain the nearest areas of downside gamma support — price tends to bounce off these zones if tested.
My Thoughts: We’re reaching a point where the path of least resistance might shift. If bulls can decisively break above $555, especially with volume and a GEX unwind, there’s room toward $557–$560. But if we get stuck here and break below $552, I’d expect some profit-taking down toward $547–$545.
Trade Setups I’d Consider:
* Bullish Breakout Trade:
Above $555 with volume
Entry: $556
Target: $559–$560
Stop: $553.50
(Ideal with IV still relatively low and GEX unwinding from that zone)
* Fade Rejection Play (If SPY can’t clear $555):
Entry: ~$554 with reversal candle
Target: $547
Stop: $556
(Volume weakness + rising wedge breakdown would support this)
Options Thoughts:
* IVR is at 29, with IVx lower than the average — premium is relatively cheap.
* GEX shows 89% PUTs, which might seem bearish, but it also suggests market makers could support pullbacks for now.
* A $555C or $560C for this week is a high-risk chase — I’d only grab it if SPY breaks and holds above $555.
* Safer might be a put debit spread targeting $547 if the rising wedge breaks down.
This week could be pivotal. SPY has had a strong run, but now it’s flirting with a crowded options zone. Watch the $555 level closely — that’s where the real decision likely gets made.
