Calm Before the CPI?by Tony Rago Fresh week, fresh chances — but with no econ today and CPI on deck tomorrow, we could be in for a quieter session. VIX sitting in the 15s isn’t exactly screaming “fireworks.” Bulls are knocking on the door of new ATHs on NQ. If they want it, they’ve got to defend pullbacks and keep the pressure on. I’ll let the open shake out and see if there’s any real leadership toward the highs — or if we crack below the opening range. Patience is key here. Could be a day full of head fakes while the tape waits for CPI. Game plan’s in the Pre-Market Playbook. [file_download style=”2″][op_file_download_item title=”Monday%2C%20August%2011%2C%202025%20-%20Tony’s%20Pre-Market%20Playbook” icon=”style1-Pdf-64×64.png” file=”https://theotrade.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/TonysPre-MarketPlaybook-08112025.pdf” package=”” level=”” new_window=”Y”][/op_file_download_item][/file_download]

Friday Chop or One More Pop?by Tony Rago Overnight was quiet — right back to the middle of yesterday’s range. Could be setting up for a range-bound Friday, especially after the big swings we’ve had. That said… never underestimate headline risk heading into the weekend. It’s a simple plan today: let the open shake out, give it 30 minutes, and see where we sit inside the range. Expectations are low for a trend day — but you know how that goes. If you’ve had a solid week, don’t force it. Let the market come to you. If you’re behind, don’t chase. One setup at a time. Full game plan’s inside the Pre-Market Playbook. [file_download style=”2″][op_file_download_item title=”Friday%2C%20August%208%2C%202025%20-%20Tony’s%20Pre-Market%20Playbook” icon=”style1-Pdf-64×64.png” file=”https://theotrade.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/TonysPre-MarketPlaybook-08082025.pdf” package=”” level=”” new_window=”Y”][/op_file_download_item][/file_download]

  Battle Lines Are Drawn by Tony Rago   Bears showed up at the open yesterday… but stalled right at the weekly pivots. No real pressure below. That makes 6323 on ES and 23163 on NQ the key battlegrounds today. Above those levels? Bulls need to attack Monday’s highs — 6370 and 23350 — and prove they’re in control. Below? Bears have to crack 23000 and 6300 to get new weekly lows on the board. Could be a chop-fest if no one steps up, so keep expectations in check. We’ve got Fed speakers and a bond auction coming — stay sharp. Same plan: let the open play out, give it 30 minutes, then strike. Full breakdown’s inside today’s Pre-Market Playbook.   [file_download style=”2″][op_file_download_item title=”Wednesday%2C%20August%205%2C%202025%20-%20Tony’s%20Pre-Market%20Playbook” icon=”style1-Pdf-64×64.png” file=”https://theotrade.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/TonysPre-MarketPlaybook-08062025.pdf” package=”” level=”” new_window=”Y”][/op_file_download_item][/file_download]

  Bull Trap or Bear Mirage?by Tony Rago Yesterday’s action was suspect. Sellers dominated late last week… then disappeared. So what is this? A real bounce — or bait? Here’s the deal: If bears mean business, they’ve got to take us back under 23,000 and 6300 fast. No follow-through, no pressure — just talk. If bulls want control, they need to defend the overnight lows and flip 23,412 and 6388 into support. If they can do that, we could see another leg higher. We’ve got econ this morning, so let the first 30 minutes set the tone. No hero trades — just read the tape. Everything’s mapped out in today’s free Pre-Market Playbook. [file_download style=”2″][op_file_download_item title=”Tuesday%2C%20August%205%2C%202025%20-%20Tony’s%20Pre-Market%20Playbook” icon=”style1-Pdf-64×64.png” file=”https://theotrade.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/TonysPre-MarketPlaybook-08052025-1.pdf” package=”” level=”” new_window=”Y”][/op_file_download_item][/file_download]

New Week, New Opportunities to Make Money! by Tony Rago   It’s Monday — fresh week, fresh chances to get paid. We’re getting a bounce overnight back into some key zones — 6300 on ES and 23000 on NQ. After two days of heavy selling, this move could be a simple relief rally… or the start of something more. Weekly pivots are sitting just above us, so that’ll be the first real test. If we reject off those, bears will want to press back toward Friday’s lows. If not, we may be looking at a squeeze to kick off the week. Either way — no need to get fancy. Let the market open, let it establish the initial balance, and the trend will reveal itself. Let’s keep it tight, stay focused, and start the week off right. Everything you need to get ready is in today’s free Pre-Market Playbook.  

The Tape Is Starting to Soften Up – Perfect  by Tony Rago   It’s Friday, the start of a whole new month! We saw weakness continue overnight from yesterdays session, with a nice pullback to some key levels — 6300 (ES) and 23106 (NQ). We’ll just see how the dip-buyers deal with this; if they’re denied today we could get a bigger move down, maybe under 6288 and 23000.  Either way, it’s Friday, so no big bets and no overdoing it. Let’s see how we open and get the day done!  Everything you need to get ready is here in the free download of the Pre-Market Playbook…   [file_download style=”2″][op_file_download_item title=”Friday%2C%20August%201%2C%202025%20-%20Tony’s%20Pre-Market%20Playbook” icon=”style1-Pdf-64×64.png” file=”https://theotrade.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/TonysPre-MarketPlaybook-08012025.pdf” package=”” level=”” new_window=”Y”][/op_file_download_item][/file_download]

How to Get Ready for Fed Day by Tony Rago   These kinds of days, with the Fed and earnings in play, can be tough sessions for day-trading futures.  The typical day is busy for the first one to two hours, and then the tape basically dies until the 2 PM ET announcement. And so the real moves come from the chairman’s press conference.  Ultimately, the way to trade a Fed day is to get your trades in early and then take a step back; most of the time NQ isn’t even tradeable around the announcement and presser, so, if you must trade, I’d look at ES for opportunities.  Overall we’re still weak under the weekly opens 23520 (NQ) and 6450 (ES). Let’s see if we can retest the lows from yesterday.  Everything else you need to succeed is right here in the free downloadable Pre-Market Playbook…   [file_download style=”2″][op_file_download_item

  Don’t Expect Much Excitement Today, But… by Tony Rago   I’m expecting another slow day today as we head into earnings and the FOMC remarks tomorrow, but ready for anything!  Keep an eye on the weekly open for ES — it’s still resistance and an inflection point at 5450.  If we stay under, selling pops is favored. All the other moves to make are in the Pre-Market Playbook…     [file_download style=”2″][op_file_download_item title=”Tuesday%2C%20July%2029%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-07292025.pdf” package=”” level=”” new_window=”Y”][/op_file_download_item][/file_download]