Charting a third-quarter breakout, S&P 500 target projects to 2,500 mark

The major U.S. benchmarks’ bigger-picture technical backdrop continues to strengthen amid a bullish third-quarter start. Consider that the S&P 500 and Dow industrials have reached all-time highs — and thus far sustained the July breakout — while the Nasdaq Composite’s jagged, slow-motion breakout attempt remains underway.