We Could Get Another Fake-Out Open by Tony Rago   Be ready for anything: We could see another weird open to the session today, just like yesterday. No mystery as to why — NQ is still weaker than ES the action could repeat.  The “biggest trade deal in history” with Japan didn’t really move the tape, but we could well see a reaction start to develop as the cash session gets going. And of course Tesla (TSLA) and Alphabet (GOOGL) report at the bell, so keep an eye on those for those big earnings flips opportunities. Let’s see how we open! Before we do that, grab the free download of the Pre-Market Playbook…   [file_download style=”2″][op_file_download_item title=”Wednesday%2C%20July%2023%2C%202025%20-%20Tony’s%20Pre-Market%20Playbook” icon=”style1-Pdf-64×64.png” file=”https://theotrade.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/TonysPre-MarketPlaybook-07232025.pdf” package=”” level=”” new_window=”Y”][/op_file_download_item][/file_download]

Let’s Wait for Real Volatility Today by Tony Rago   We could see the market start to stir on earnings today… or we could get another slow summer tape. The VIX did move a bit yesterday so be ready. There are no economic reports due to drop today though a few Fedheads will be speaking around the country. Either way, the plan is the same: Trade the tape in front of us; don’t overdo it and wait for some vol to appear. Watch the open and go from there — and download today’s free Pre-Market Playbook…   [file_download style=”2″][op_file_download_item title=”Tuesday%2C%20July%2022%2C%202025%20-%20Tony’s%20Pre-Market%20Playbook” icon=”style1-Pdf-64×64.png” file=”https://theotrade.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/TonysPre-MarketPlaybook-07222025.pdf” package=”” level=”” new_window=”Y”][/op_file_download_item][/file_download]

Get Ready for a Big Earnings Week by Tony Rago   Price action was actually quiet overnight, but we’ve got a big week ahead for earnings, and and even bigger week for tech the week after that.  The tape may well be quiet until we start to see some of those companies report. I’d like to see some interaction with the weekly pivots early in the week for clues.  Too quiet! With this kind of tape, you have to just focus on the next 20 points in front of you and be ready for anything. Get ready with today’s free download of the Pre-Market Playbook…   [file_download style=”2″][op_file_download_item title=”Monday%2C%20July%2021%2C%202025%20-%20Tony’s%20Pre-Market%20Playbook” icon=”style1-Pdf-64×64.png” file=”https://theotrade.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/TonysPre-MarketPlaybook-07212025.pdf” package=”” level=”” new_window=”Y”][/op_file_download_item][/file_download]

  Patience Is Always Important, Moreso Today by Tony Rago   These slow tapes really test your mettle as a trader. This kind of action forces you to be very patient and let trades work. Yesterday’s paid session was a great example: The low was the 6288 on ES. It saved the roundy and we went up to the 6350 eventually. Getting there took a lot of time, but all you had to do was let it work.  That can be very challenging for NQ traders in tapes like this when we’re accustomed to fast trades that last less than a two-minute bar.  Today is about patience — waiting for our shot and keeping in mind that anything can happen. Volatility can stay near zero and then explode. So do less today until the tape hands you a trade on a silver platter. Today’s free downloadable Pre-Market Playbook has what

Why You’ve Got to Be Patient with This Market by Tony Rago   Oh, bears… I’m sure they’ll still out there somewhere, but it definitely seems like that side of the tape is just broken. Instead we’ve got a perma-bid under the price, though it just keeps stalling at the top of the recent range.  Patience is key to the trade; it’s always important but in this market that’s especially true.  So don’t go letting your thoughts get the best of you. Just focus on the next 10 to 20 points in front of you, get the day done — and do it again tomorrow.  In other words, trade the range until it breaks. Rinse, repeat. Start with the free download of the Pre-Market Playbook…   [file_download style=”2″][op_file_download_item title=”Thursday%2C%20July%2017%2C%202025%20-%20Tony’s%20Pre-Market%20Playbook” icon=”style1-Pdf-64×64.png” file=”https://theotrade.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/TonysPre-MarketPlaybook-07172025.pdf” package=”” level=”” new_window=”Y”][/op_file_download_item][/file_download]

  Let’s See if the Bears Can Follow Through by Tony Rago   We’ve got more economic data this morning and price is still holding above the weekly open on ES and above 23000 on NQ.  We saw the bears flex a little muscle in yesterday’s session; we’ll see if bears can follow through on that move down. To get that done, they need to push below the weekly pivot on ES and under the 23000 on NQ. Bulls can take the ball back above the 6300 to 6312 and the 23106 levels. My detailed breakdown is right here in your free downloadable Pre-Market Playbook…   [file_download style=”2″][op_file_download_item title=”Wednesday%2C%20July%2016%2C%202025%20-%20Tony’s%20Pre-Market%20Playbook” icon=”style1-Pdf-64×64.png” file=”https://theotrade.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/TonysPre-MarketPlaybook-07162025.pdf” package=”” level=”” new_window=”Y”][/op_file_download_item][/file_download]

The Markets Like the CPI Report — Here’s What to Do About It by Tony Rago   Today’s inflation data is taking us to new highs. That’s part of the battle. Now let’s see if we get some tradeable volatility today on the back of the announcement.  My plan is still the same: longs are favored above yesterdays close and high. Shorts live under the big roundy’s at 6300 (ES) and 23000 (NQ).  We should let this open and look for setups after the first 30 minutes of trade. Use the time to download today’s free Pre-Market Playbook…   [file_download style=”2″][op_file_download_item title=”Tuesday%2C%20July%2015%2C%202025%20-%20Tony’s%20Pre-Market%20Playbokk” icon=”style1-Pdf-64×64.png” file=”https://theotrade.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/TonysPre-MarketPlaybook-07152025.pdf” package=”” level=”” new_window=”Y”][/op_file_download_item][/file_download]

The Bears Have a Decent Shot Today  by Tony Rago   New week, new opportunities to make money!  Tariff headlines prompted a gap down at last night’s open, and that gap has not been filled so far. The bears have an opportunity today to capitalize on these headlines; they need to push under the overnight lows and seal them off.  That’s probably easier said than done. Every dip has been bought so far, but I’m starting to see some cracks in the veneer here… and support levels have been tested multiple times.  Earnings start this week so we could finally get some decent volatility in this tape!  Take it one trade at a time today; wait for confirmation of a directional move, and don’t go out there without your free download of the Pre-Market Playbook…   [file_download style=”2″][op_file_download_item title=”Monday%2C%20July%2014%2C%202025%20-%20Tony’s%20Pre-Market%20Playbook” icon=”style1-Pdf-64×64.png” file=”https://theotrade.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/TonysPre-MarketPlaybook-07142025.pdf” package=”” level=”” new_window=”Y”][/op_file_download_item][/file_download]  

  We Could Get a Sloppy, Choppy Friday by Tony Rago   Nobody really thought we were done with tariffs, did they? They delivered got some weakness overnight which means today could be messy with headline risk. It’s Friday and the news cycle gets very active — especially in the afternoon. Stay on your toes today.  Get up to speed with today’s free download, the Pre-Market Playbook…   [file_download style=”2″][op_file_download_item title=”Friday%2C%20July%2011%2C%202025%20-%20Tony’s%20Pre-Market%20Playbook” icon=”style1-Pdf-64×64.png” file=”https://theotrade.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/TonysPre-MarketPlaybook.pdf” package=”” level=”” new_window=”Y”][/op_file_download_item][/file_download]

The One Strategy That Works in This Touchy, Choppy Market by Tony Rago   This is a quiet market and good for scalping basically — that’s the safest way to attack right now. A larger move is coming but not with VIX in the 15 ranges; we need some volatility! Of course next week earnings start, so maybe that will shake things up for us. In the meantime stick to your plan and focus on the next 20 points in front of you. Everything else you need is right here in this freely downloadable Pre-Market Playbook…   [file_download style=”2″][op_file_download_item title=”Thursday%2C%20July%2010%2C%202025%20-%20Tony’s%20Pre-Market%20Playbook” icon=”style1-Pdf-64×64.png” file=”https://theotrade.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/TonysPre-MarketPlaybook-07102025.pdf” package=”” level=”” new_window=””][/op_file_download_item][/file_download]