Here is the playbook for the hedge funds: Push down crude oil futures in light volume post-pit close trading and dump the financials and other stocks into the induced strength off the crude weakness. It doesn't take much firepower to keep crude oil prices artificially low after 2:30 pm ET. The play is so artificial and used to sucker in buyers who see crude going lower and reflexively buy the Spoos and QQQQs and XLF.
If you look at market that way, you will lose your shirt. I agree that the market is has always been and will be manipulated but you have to use it to your advantage and not fight with it.