S&P 500 Holds 5,400, Jobless Claims Loom & TSLA's Battleground | August 20, 2026

In this morning’s episode of Bulls, Bears and the Bell, hosts Joe and Jane break down the essential trade setups, technical levels, and option flows you need to navigate today's session:The Macro Backdrop & Yield Watch (01:15): The 10-Year Treasury yield is hovering at 4.25%. We discuss why the 8:30 AM ET Initial Jobless Claims data (220k expected) could trigger a yield spike and pressure mega-cap growth names like $NVDA and $AMD.S&P 500 Futures Mechanics (03:45): E-mini futures are aggressively defending the 5,400 level. We analyze the massive open interest (OI) and building "gamma" sitting just above the current price.The Retail Squeeze Play (06:00): Why a massive block of September $75 calls hit the tape for the Retail ETF ($XRT) at 4:00 AM, and how to trade it if we open above $72.Individual Tickers (08:15): High-alert setups in $TSLA as it grapples with European regulatory battery filings and a fragile $210 floor, plus why $AAPL might be your relative-strength safe haven today.“The trend is your friend until the bend at the end.” Keep your stops tight, manage your risk, and let's get ready for the open!Enjoying the show? Hit that Follow button and subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to make sure you never miss a pre-market update!⚠️ Episode Disclaimer: Bulls, Bears and the Bell is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. Trading stocks, futures, and options involves significant risk of loss and is not suitable for every investor. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always conduct your own research and consult with a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions.