Elliott Wave view: QQQ correcting cycle from May 18 [Video]

Elliott Wave Forecast Team ElliottWave-Forecast.com

The Nasdaq 100 ETF (QQQ) established a significant low on March 31, 2026, at $555.55. From this level, the ETF advanced in wave (1), reaching $722.03, before a corrective pullback in wave (2) concluded at $695.25. The subsequent rally unfolded as wave (3), structured as a clear impulsive Elliott Wave sequence. Within this move, wave ((i)) terminated at $706.49, followed by wave ((ii)) at $700.20. Momentum then carried wave ((iii)) to $737.60, before wave ((iv)) corrected to $725.27. The final leg, wave ((v)), extended to $748.65, completing wave 1 of the higher degree cycle.

At present, QQQ is pulling back in wave 2, correcting the cycle from the May 19, 2026 low. This phase has already produced wave ((w)), which ended at $741.01, and a counter‑trend rally in wave ((x)), which peaked at $745.76. Market expectations now center on wave ((y)) finding support between $733.60 and $738.20. Once this support zone is confirmed, wave 2 should conclude, paving the way for the next upward cycle. Near term, the pivot at $695.18 remains critical. As long as this level holds, dips are expected to attract buyers. The correction may unfold in 3, 7, or 11 swings, but the broader structure favors continuation higher once the corrective rhythm stabilizes.

Nasdaq 100 ETF (QQQ) 45-minute Elliott Wave chart

Nasdaq 100 ETF Elliott Wave [Video]

Author

Elliott Wave Forecast Team

ElliottWave-Forecast.com

AUD/USD remains above 0.7200 after China's trade data

AUD/USD sits above 0.7200 in the Asian session on Tuesday, near its highest level since May 14. The US Dollar stays under pressure as a rallying Japanese Yen outweighs support from hawkish Fed bets and geopolitical tensions. This, along with firming expectations for another RBA rate hike later this month, acts as a tailwind for the Aussie. However, mixed China trade balance data keep the pair restricted.

USD/JPY recovers to 154.00 amid hawkish BoJ repricing

USD/JPY is recovering from six-month lows of 152.89, retesting 154.00 in European trading on Tuesday. However, the upside attempts appear limited as Japan's upbeat wage growth data and Q2 GDP revision cement bets on a BoJ rate hike next week and continue to boost the Japanese Yen. Meanwhile, US Dollar selling remains unabated despite hawkish Fed expectations and rising geopolitical tensions, lending additional support to the pair.

Gold traders seem hesitant below $4,450 as Fed rate hike bets counter softer USD

Gold retreats to the lower end of its daily range heading into the European session, though it holds above the $4,400 mark amid a softer US Dollar. However, hawkish US Federal Reserve expectations, along with persistent geopolitical uncertainties, offer some support to the safe-haven buck and keep a lid on the non-yielding bullion.

Ripple and Stellar outlook: Hold bullish bias above EMAs as derivatives back upside

Ripple (XRP) and Stellar (XLM) hold above the key support zones on Tuesday, hinting at an upside move. Derivatives metrics further support the recovery, with both altcoins showing positive funding rates and rising long positions. Derivatives data shows a bullish tilt among XRP and XLM traders.

Europe in focus: September 2026

Six major net contributors demanded substantial cuts to the European Commission’s proposed 2028–2034 EU budget. Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria, Finland and Sweden issued a joint position on 27 August calling for the nearly €2 trillion proposal to be reduced by several hundred billion euros and rejecting additional common EU borrowing.

Diesel’s record $100 warning: The oil shock hiding in plain sight

The Oil market may look calmer than it did a few months ago, but diesel is sending a very different message. The US diesel crack spread, the premium of ultra-low sulphur diesel futures over WTI, recently surged above $100 per barrel for the first time, reaching an intraday record of just over $102.00.