Macro view VIX hitting lower regressions. GBP creating a bull flag, bonds projected to hit upward regressions. Gold correlated trade with notes/bonds. Yen hitting support regressions.
price curvature, hyperbola repeats .. initial spike creates mean reversion trade placement, the MM's game those mean reversion trades to hit those stops and price creates the upper end spike.
Low liquidity timing points are hit/gamed so the most bang for the buck is gained to trigger the covering of these short mean reversion trades. The largest party dictates where price moves.
If MMs feel too many people going long into the close, they will revert it down, and jack it back up into the close last 10 minutes plus extended friday sessions.
Extended hours were used to sell off after hitting 30. Sellers pre 2pm stops hit and MMs sales pre 2pm reaffirmed. Based on day session pre 2(mostly distribution) and external hrs, should create a significant inflection point intermediate term.