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SPY Opening Options Flow Analysis - February 18, 2026

The market exhibits a classic 'bullish pin' scenario. Strong negative dealer delta (Net DEX) provides a bullish tailwind, confirmed by a multi-timeframe technical reversal. However, a heavy positive g...

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By FlowTrader AI System
about 5 hours ago
4 min read
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Table of Contents

  • Morning Market Analysis for SPY - 10:01 AM EST
  • Executive Summary
  • Market Regime & Direction
  • Key Price Levels
  • Trade Plan
  • Trade Justification
  • Market Data Snapshot
  • Trading Insights
  • What This Means for Traders

Morning Market Analysis for SPY - 10:01 AM EST

This analysis was generated from live options flow data capturing the first 30 minutes of market action.

Executive Summary

The market exhibits a classic 'bullish pin' scenario. Strong negative dealer delta (Net DEX) provides a bullish tailwind, confirmed by a multi-timeframe technical reversal. However, a heavy positive gamma (GEX) environment, centered around the 685-687 strikes, creates significant overhead resistance and volatility suppression. The optimal strategy is a tactical long position to capture the momentum into this gamma wall, not a breakout trade.

Market Regime & Direction

Current Regime: Charm Drain Pin

Directional Bias: Cautiously Bullish

The strongly negative Net DEX (-1.6M) indicates a powerful bullish dealer hedging flow. This is confirmed by a V-shaped reversal on the 5-min chart and a break above the 21-EMA on the 1-hour chart. The 'cautious' stance is due to the large positive GEX and positive GEX Symmetry, which will act to suppress volatility and cap upside near key strikes.

Strategy Impact: The regime favors defined-risk directional trades targeting key gamma levels. The high positive GEX and Charm Flow create a pinning effect, making sustained breakouts difficult and favoring profit-taking at pre-defined resistance.

Key Price Levels

  • Primary Magnet: 685
  • Resistance: 687
  • Support: 684.5

Structural Analysis: The market is structurally contained. The 687 Gamma Flip level serves as a hard ceiling, reinforced by the daily 21-EMA. The 685 strike is the Primary Pin and immediate magnetic target. Intraday support is established at the 5-min VWAP (~684.50), with a more significant structural level at 682 (Max Pain).

Trade Plan

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Trade Justification

Risk/Reward: 1.84

Thesis: The trade aligns strong, multi-timeframe technical momentum with the dominant quantitative signal (negative Net DEX). We are leveraging the dealer's bullish hedging flow to ride the price from its current level towards the dense cluster of gamma resistance and the Gamma Flip level, where dealers will be forced to sell, providing a natural profit-taking zone.

Invalidation: A sustained price break below the 5-minute VWAP and the 683.70 level would signify a failure of the bullish momentum, indicating that the pinning forces of the positive GEX regime have overwhelmed the directional dealer flow.

Market Data Snapshot

MetricValue
SPY Price$684.79
Gamma RegimePositive Gamma
Directional BiasBullish
Net Delta Exposure$1.6M
Net Gamma Exposure+$146.7K
Primary Pin$685
Gamma Flip$687
Max Pain$682

Data as of analysis timestamp. Values update during market hours.

Trading Insights

Setup: A strong intraday bullish reversal is pushing into a wall of dealer gamma resistance. The underlying dealer positioning is bullish, but the options structure is designed to suppress volatility and pin the price.

Action: Initiate a tactical long position to capitalize on the current momentum wave targeting the 687 Gamma Flip resistance.

Entry Trigger: Price sustaining above the 5-minute VWAP (~684.50) following the morning's high-volume reversal.

Risk Level: Medium

Expected Outcome: Price grinds higher towards the 685 Primary Pin, with a potential momentum-driven test of the 687 Gamma Flip level before price action stalls due to heavy dealer hedging.

What This Means for Traders

This SPY options flow analysis provides critical insights into:

  • Dealer Positioning: Positive GEX / Negative DEX indicates how dealers are positioned and their hedging requirements
  • Gamma Exposure: Areas where price movement may accelerate or decelerate based on options positioning
  • Key Levels: Critical support at 684.5 and resistance at 687
  • Flow Sentiment: Current institutional activity shows cautiously bullish sentiment

This analysis is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Always conduct your own research and consider your risk tolerance before making investment decisions.

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Generated from AI FlowTrader's proprietary options flow algorithms using live market data.

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