We’re Starting Another Huge Tech-Earnings Week by Tony Rago   EU tariff deal headlines sent us over the top to new highs. Now it’s all about the bulls staying above the 6400 on the ES to continue.  We’ll see how the cash session reacts to this in terms of “selling the news,” but sellers are few and far between these days. We’re heading into a big earnings week for tech, and we’ll hear from the FOMC on Wednesday, too, so there could be some nice vol for us! Today, though, could be a little slow as the tape may be waiting for earnings and FOMC. Be patient and let price come to you!  Stick to your plan, focus on getting the day done, and then move on to the next day. Rinse, repeat.  Get up to speed with the free Pre-Market Playbook and let’s crush it today!   [file_download

It’s a Good Idea to Tweak Your Goals Today  by Tony Rago   The plan is the same for this session — stay on your toes. Price is just drifting right now and the bulls are extremely complacent. The way they’re thinking, “it can’t go wrong; every dip gets bought”… until it doesn’t.  It’s true there is no energy in this tape but that doesn’t mean we can’t get a headline that yanks us lower and kicks off a sell program that sticks.  Mind your risk regardless and manage trades accordingly. Get the day done; consider a smaller daily goal in this tape until we get some volatility.  Everything you need to move ahead is in today’s free download of the Pre-Market Playbook…   [file_download style=”2″][op_file_download_item title=”Friday%2C%20July%2025%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-07252025.pdf” package=”” level=”” new_window=”Y”][/op_file_download_item][/file_download]

Too Quiet at the Highs? Stay Sharp, Stay Nimble by Tony Rago The S&P is pressing into new highs with a test of 6400 on deck — but the Nasdaq is still dragging its feet. Will ES have enough strength to lift all boats? TSLA’s down in the pre-market, while GOOGL is catching a bid. All eyes on how retail responds to earnings when the bell rings. So far, we’ve got quiet bullish action… maybe too quiet. These are the kind of sessions where complacency gets punished. Stay alert, trade what’s in front of you, and don’t assume smooth sailing. I’ll be watching the open closely and letting the market digest the morning econ — PMI hits at 9:45 and New Home Sales at 10:00. Jump into the main room with me at 10:00 — let’s navigate this together. In the meantime, make sure to check out today’s pre-market playbook

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]