The whole world watches U.S. stock index markets in the latter stages of an act that only happens once every calendar year on average, or less.
For the past six weeks (completed) and now into its seventh, the S&P 500 futures are winding themselves into a tight consolidation pattern. The term "tight" may be relative, because the weekly range has been roughly 100 index points wide at times. But the overall result is a very crisp bear-flag pattern straight from the books of technical analysis 101.
These formations are continuation patterns and they usually (not always) continue onward in the direction from which they formed. In other words, the prior drop from 1350s to 1150s (middle of the flag formation) is one measured leg down. A second leg of equal measure is usually (not always) what happens next. Should the statistical odds play out in this pending breakout to come, the S&P 950 level is targeted next.
A second technical measure applied is the Fibonacci Extension based from a 1-2-3 high-low-lower high sequence of price movement so far. If current swing highs near 1215 hold and price subsequently breaks lower, a 100% move of that measured range is likewise the 950 zone.
So we see where two (2) different technical studies of price-action measured both arrive at the same mathematical conclusion. Whenever you have two different price measurements overlap in the same general area, that shows you a pretty powerful price magnet of attraction.
Should that general level of magnetic support break thru, price action itself projects to the 800 level or lower from there. It is not out of the question that a test of the March 2009 lows will take place in the medium term future ahead.
This is by no means a short-term outlook at all. What we see on a weekly chart (usually) takes weeks and months to unfold.