Waiting on the Catalyst
by Tony Rago
We’ve got a big news drop hitting at 7am, and that alone shifts the playbook — not much edge in overanalyzing levels before the tape has a chance to react. When you have a scheduled catalyst like this, price tends to stay compressed or erratic until the information gets digested. That said, 6600 on ES and 24,333 on NQ are the early levels on watch. These aren’t just arbitrary numbers — they’re reference points where we’ll likely see either acceptance (price holding and building) or rejection (quick moves away), which helps define bias once things settle.
The key here is patience. This is one of those opens where forcing trades usually backfires — initial reactions can be sharp, but not always directional. Let the first moves play out, watch how price behaves around those levels, and look for structure to develop before stepping in. Clean setups come after the noise, not during it. Stay disciplined, stay reactive, and don’t get baited into the chop ⚡️
👉 Full breakdown is inside today’s Pre-Market Playbook. Check it out here and trade it smart.
