Nasdaq Futures Technical Analysis For Today With tradeCompass (December 2, 2025)
In a nutshell:
Bullish above: 25,414 (always follow the futures price for NQ1! or MNQ)
Bearish below: 25,360
Current price at the time of this analysis: 25,356
Primary bias: Short biased while price is under 25,360, but still in a 3 day trading range
Bearish partial targets:
25,326
25,291
25,267
25,214
Extended swing target: 25,057
Very distant swing target: 24,794
Bullish partial targets:
25,448
25,468
25,568
Extended swing target: 25,867
1. Market context and directional bias
At the time of this Nasdaq futures analysis for today, December 2, 2025, price is 25,356, only about 0.14 % below yesterday's close and sitting just under the bearish threshold of 25,360.
Global Markets Hold Steady While Crypto and Gold Show Volatility
European equities opened the session on a steadier note, with major indices holding close to unchanged levels after a quiet overnight session. Traders remain cautious but sentiment is slightly improved compared to earlier in the week. Retail names are mixed, financials are flat, and energy is again the most sensitive sector as traders wait for fresh catalysts later in the day.
Bitcoin is under pressure and continues to trade well below recent highs. The cryptocurrency was last seen around 85,024 after a sharp %5.91 percent drop, driven in part by renewed concerns around MicroStrategy’s leveraged Bitcoin exposure. The company’s aggressive strategy, while celebrated during bull cycles, has turned into a headwind during the latest pullback. Market participants note that Bitcoin’s short term direction now depends heavily on whether dip buyers regain confidence or if broader risk sentiment continues to weaken.
Gold prices slid during Asian hours but later bounced from intraday lows. Traders initially sold the metal as the dollar steadied and yields firmed slightly. The recovery was modest but showed that bargain hunters remain active near the lower end of the recent range. Spot gold is still struggling to sustain momentum and remains sensitive to shifts in Treasury yields and macro data that arrive later in the week.
Overall, global markets are entering the midweek session with a cautious tone. Europe is steady, crypto is under pressure, and gold is attempting to stabilize, leaving traders attentive to the next round of data and any signals from central bank speakers that could influence risk appetite across asset classes.
That positioning is important for Nasdaq futures today:
While price stays under 25,360, the tradeCompass map favors short setups first.
At the same time, the last 3 trading days are showing range type behavior, so traders should remain open to rotation on both sides of the map rather than expecting a straight trend day.
Think of the current situation as "bearish leaning inside a range". The bearish idea is active slightly earlier, but if buyers manage to lift price and hold above 25,414, the bias flips to the bullish plan with its own targets.
2. Bearish plan: short ideas under 25,360
While Nasdaq futures remain below 25,360, traders who see confirmation for weakness may consider shorts using the following structure.
Active as long as price trades under 25,360:
Entry zone for shorts: Around current levels under 25,360, at trader discretion.
Short side profit taking map:
TP1: 25,326
Positioned just above today's low and near a small liquidity pool from yesterday. This is designed as a quick reaction level.
tradeCompass note: For today's session, given the range dynamics of the last 3 days, we already recommend moving the stop to entry after TP1 is reached. It is an extra conservative tweak relative to the standard rule.TP2: 25,291
A deeper level inside the current range, where prior activity suggests more trapped positions and resting orders. Reaching TP2 usually confirms that sellers are in control for this leg.TP3: 25,267
A continuation target, still inside the broader structure, but far enough to justify taking another chunk of profit if the move persists.TP4: 25,214
A more stretched intraday level where short term traders may look to lock in the majority of the position. Price reaching here reflects a solid bearish session from current levels.Extended swing target: 25,057
This is for traders looking for a swing style short, or for those who see this article later when price may already have moved. It serves as a reference "compass point", not a mandate to hold blindly.Very distant swing target: 24,794
This is an additional downside reference level for more patient swing traders. It should be used with a clear plan, not as a random "hold and hope" level.
Stop loss logic for the bearish side
For shorts, the invalidation area is above the bullish threshold. TradeCompass stop practice for today:
Initial stops should sit above the bearish activation zone, with a small buffer, but never beyond the bullish threshold at 25,414.
After TP1 is reached, move the stop to entry (breakeven) for the remaining position, given the current range environment.
If later TP2 is reached, that further supports tightening risk and managing any remaining runner more aggressively.
3. Bullish plan: long ideas only above 25,414
The bullish scenario is active only if Nasdaq futures trade above 25,414 and hold there with the trader's preferred confirmation.
Active only while price stays above 25,414:
Bullish threshold: 25,414
Long side profit taking map:
TP1: 25,448
This is a nearby first objective, suitable for quick risk reduction. Once hit, traders can raise the stop to entry to neutralize risk on the remainder.TP2: 25,468
Sits in a nearby liquidity pocket from yesterday. Yes, it is close to TP1, but that reflects the current compressed price structure. It offers another opportunity to scale out without assuming a trending day.TP3: 25,568
A higher upside objective where prior price interaction suggests meaningful supply. Good candidates for trimming more of the position.Extended swing target: 25,867
Used by swing traders or by those who discover this map later in the day or on another day. It is a structural upside level rather than an intraday scalp target.
Stop loss logic for the bullish side
For longs above 25,414:
Initial stop should be placed under the bullish activation area, with a modest buffer, but never below the bearish threshold at 25,360. If price breaks back below 25,360, the bullish idea is considered invalid.
After TP1 at 25,448 is reached, move the stop to entry to lock in a "free" runner from a risk standpoint.
Additional partial profits at TP2 and TP3 give further room to tighten the stop if the trader prefers.
4. Using this tradeCompass map in a range environment
We are still trading inside 3 day range dynamics, which changes how the map should be interpreted:
Traders should not assume a one directional trend day automatically.
A typical tradeCompass rule is to move stops after TP2, but today we recommend moving the stop to breakeven already after TP1, on both bullish and bearish plans.
It can be helpful to think in terms of one trade per direction per tradeCompass, especially in range conditions, in order to avoid overtrading every small rotation.
After the 2nd profit target (TP2) is reached, a simple rule still applies:
After TP2 is hit, move the stop to entry (breakeven) to protect your gains and manage any remaining runner.
5. Short educational reminder: partial profits in a trading range
In a range environment like the recent Nasdaq action, partial profit taking becomes especially important:
Taking profits at logical levels, such as prior liquidity pools or intraday extremes, helps reduce risk while the market is still undecided overall.
It is common for price to bounce between key levels several times before any real breakout. Locking in gains at TP1 and TP2 means that even if the market snaps back into the range, your emotional and financial exposure is lower.
tradeCompass is built around this philosophy: use clear levels to define when you are bearish, when you are bullish, and where it makes sense to take money off the table instead of aiming for the "perfect" exit.
6. Practical trade management reminders
One trade per direction per tradeCompass is usually enough for the day.
Treat 25,360 and 25,414 as your main compass lines: under 25,360, you prioritize the short ideas; over 25,414, you prioritize the long ideas.
Respect your stop: never place a stop beyond the opposite threshold. If that opposite threshold is broken, the original scenario is invalid and you should already be out.
After TP1, especially today, consider moving the stop to entry to better protect yourself in this choppy environment.
After TP2 is reached, make sure the stop is at entry as a standard rule, so any runner is effectively a low risk bonus.
7. Professional disclaimer
This Nasdaq futures technical analysis with tradeCompass at investingLive.com is provided strictly for educational and informational purposes. It is not investment advice, not a recommendation to buy or sell any instrument, and does not take into account your personal financial situation or risk tolerance. Futures trading and short term speculation involve substantial risk of loss and are not suitable for every trader. You should carefully evaluate your own methods, use these levels only as an additional decision support layer, and trade entirely at your own risk.
