What Happened Today, Wednesday August 12, 2026, 5:00 PM ET close
Nasdaq 100 leads a broad bounce, up 0.61 percent, as buyers step back in
A calm session sees tech lead the broad market higher while bitcoin dips and the July deficit tops $432 billion
ES and NQ at the close
NQ, Nasdaq 100 futures
29,805.75
+0.61% on the day
Day range 29,624.50 to 30,001.75
ES, S&P 500 futures
7,766.75
+0.25% on the day
Day range 7,748.50 to 7,794.00
How did our Futures Trading Algo Do Today?
Trades
1
ES/NQ/RTY/BTC ยท live + forward-test
Result
-$288
net for the day
Discipline
One trade, one loss, and we took it on the chin without chasing the next setup.
The book fired a single position today, a VBO_NQ_NY_Sess_1h long that broke out during the New York session and then reversed on us. That trade was both our best and our worst of the day by default, closing at a loss of $288, which was also the net result for the session. It was a quiet, selective day with only one qualifying setup, and it simply did not work out.
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The story
US stocks turned higher on Wednesday as buyers stepped back in and the S&P 500 worked to snap a two-day slide. The Nasdaq 100 led the way with a gain of 0.61 percent, while the broader S&P 500 rose 0.25 percent in a steadier, lower-drama session. Tech and growth names did the heavy lifting, and the tone stayed constructive even with a few geopolitical and fiscal headlines in the background. It was the kind of grind-higher day where the indexes recovered ground without any single dramatic catalyst.
The MAG7 and the megacaps
The big technology names were the main engine behind Wednesday's move, which is why the Nasdaq 100 outpaced the broader market. With the Nasdaq 100 up 0.61 percent versus 0.25 percent for the S&P 500, the message was clear that money leaned back toward growth and mega-cap tech during the session. When these heavyweight names lead, the whole market tends to feel firmer, and that is exactly what played out today.
After the bell
S&P tries to snap a two-day skid
The headline story was the market attempting to end a short losing streak, and it made progress. Goldman Sachs also drew attention by beefing up its asset management unit, adding to the day's corporate news flow.
July federal deficit tops $432 billion
The US July budget deficit came in above $432 billion as government outlays grew and tariff receipts stayed negative. It is a reminder that the fiscal backdrop remains a slow-burning topic for markets to watch.
Gold and the rate-hike debate
Coverage focused on how to think about gold as expectations around a possible Fed rate hike and inflation odds shift. This kind of discussion keeps interest rate policy front and center for investors.
Iran headlines in the background
Reuters reported that Iran said there was no progress on reviving an interim peace deal with the US, alongside separate items on executions and press freedom that drew international condemnation. These geopolitical stories added a layer of caution without derailing the equity bounce.
Crypto
Bitcoin drifted slightly lower even as stocks recovered, closing near $63,407 for a dip of 0.23 percent on the day. It traded in a fairly tight band between roughly $63,270 and $64,346, so this was more of a quiet pause than any real breakdown. The mild pullback stood in contrast to the modest strength in equities, a reminder that crypto and stocks do not always move in lockstep.
Into the night
Overnight and into the session, the futures picture stayed orderly. The Nasdaq 100 traded as high as 30,001.75 and as low as 29,624.50 before settling at 29,805.75, while the S&P 500 ranged between 7,748.50 and 7,794.00 to finish at 7,766.75. The ranges were contained, which fit the calmer, buy-the-dip character of the day.
What is coming next
Nasdaq 100 close
29,805.75
Up 0.61 percent, leading the market higher
S&P 500 close
7,766.75
Up 0.25 percent, trying to snap a two-day slide
Bitcoin
$63,406.81
Down 0.23 percent in a quiet, range-bound session
July deficit
Over $432 billion
Outlays grew as tariff receipts stayed negative
With the S&P 500 working to end its short skid and tech leading the way, the near-term focus stays on whether buyers can build on Wednesday's bounce. Keep an eye on the interest rate and inflation debate, the fiscal picture after a wide July deficit, and any fresh geopolitical headlines. As always, this is educational and not financial advice.
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We send market moving news the moment it hits, straight to Telegram, Discord and X. Then this recap pulls the day together every evening: ES and NQ, the MAG7, crypto, and what is next.
Educational market recap, not financial advice. Futures and options trading carry substantial risk of loss. Prices reflect the 2026-08-12 session close; charts are live and interactive. Always verify before acting.