Daily Flow Deep Dive - August 18, 2026
Market Pulse
SPY closed at 767.45, down 0.68% and back below the 8 EMA. The 21 EMA streak holds at 13 straight closes above. Price sits well above the 50 SMA at 749.53 and the 200 SMA at 703.64. The stack stays bullish but today’s fade puts the 8 EMA in play as first support.
QQQ took the harder hit, down 1.69% to 717.51. It lost the 8 EMA and is pressing toward the 21 EMA at 714.45. The 12-close streak above the 21 EMA is intact but on the line. The 50 SMA at 712.84 sits just underneath and lines up as the next test.
VIX 15.84 (+4.28%)
Opening
Bullish premium dominated at $271.9M against $83.9M bearish, a net $188.1M bull lean. MU led everything at $64.5M, with GLD, SMH, and SNDK stacking behind it. The bearish side was thin and concentrated in crypto miners WULF and HUT.
