Tuesday’s S&P 500 index futures session remained trapped in a tight range, delivering relentless choppy whipsaw action that cemented a triple-top near recent highs.

Overnight, bulls successfully defended support above the psychological 6800 level, marking the early low at 6812.25. The regular session open unleashed intense back-and-forth trading, as bulls and bears traded whipsaw blows. The high printed at 6863.50, now forming a clear triple-top in that zone. Following the rejection, sellers flushed the index futures nearly to the premarket low, only for support to emerge just above it. The rebound met immediate counter-pressure, and the whipsaw continued. 

The chop eased after lunch, yet the range stayed narrow. Bulls managed to close within green territory, but late-day sellers pared gains into the bell. The session closed near the midpoint at 6840.25, up a modest 13.50 handles.

Wednesday brings November’s ADP Employment report at 8:15 AM ET and delayed September import price index data at 8:30 AM, among more earnings reports in the morning and afternoon.

Among top index components, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) emerged as the biggest gainer. The tech giant advanced $3.09 or 1.09% to close at $286.19, marking fresh all-time highs.

That performance was a fabulous five times better than the cash index’s 0.19% advance.

The biggest loser Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ: AVGO). For the day, the chip designer declined $4.51 or 1.17% to close at $381.57.