Jackson Hole Sets the Toneby Tony Rago 10am Eastern — that’s the whole story today. Powell’s speech is the main event, and everything else is just noise until then. Expect volatility, expect waves — and if we don’t get them, consider it a gift. More than the intraday swings, how we close today will matter most. It’s Friday, and it’s a big one. Stay small until the market shows its hand. I’ll be flat into the speech and waiting for confirmation before leaning in. Same playbook applies: watch the initial balance, and look for breakouts or breakdowns around those levels. 👉 Full breakdown is inside today’s Pre-Market Playbook. [file_download style=”2″][op_file_download_item title=”Friday%2C%20August%2022%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-08222025.pdf” package=”” level=”” new_window=”Y”][/op_file_download_item][/file_download]

  Jackson Hole Looms, Tape on Edgeby Tony Rago Tomorrow is the big one — Powell at Jackson Hole, and the market’s bracing for volatility. Today looks like positioning ahead of that. ES is coming into the open under 6400, a level bulls must reclaim and hold to stay in control. On NQ, bulls need to defend 23,250 and make a push toward 23,500. Dip buyers stepped up yesterday and ripped us off the lows — but they’ll be tested again today. Same plan applies: let the open shake out, watch the opening range and initial balance, and let the tape show who’s really in charge. Stay patient, keep it tight, and be ready for either side to take the reins ahead of tomorrow’s fireworks. Full breakdown is inside today’s Pre-Market Playbook. [file_download style=”2″][op_file_download_item title=”Thursday%2C%20August%2021%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-08212025.pdf” package=”” level=”” new_window=”Y”][/op_file_download_item][/file_download]

  Bears Show Signs of Lifeby Tony Rago Slowly coming back from the dead — looks like the bears finally had their day yesterday. Hope you cleaned up, because it was no accident that yesterday’s low tagged 23,426. Yet another clean hit on that 26 level in the NQ. Coming into today, bears have the upper hand. The question is: can they actually build on it? If not, we’re staring at another dip-buy setup. Keep in mind though — ES has only pulled back about 1.5% off the highs. That’s a nano-pullback given the size of this run. No bias here. Let the open settle, watch the 30-minute high and low, and wait for one side to show leadership. And don’t forget — Jackson Hole is Friday. Big catalyst ahead, and the market knows it. Full game plan’s in the Pre-Market Playbook. Check it out here and stay sharp. [file_download

  Hot PPI Sparks Early Moveby Tony Rago PPI came in hotter than expected, breaking price out of the overnight chop. Now it’s about seeing how stocks handle it once the cash session kicks in. VIX needs to wake up if we’re going to get any real momentum. We’re coming off fresh all-time highs that haven’t been retested, so—believe it or not—the bears might actually have a shot to put something together today. Same plan: let the open settle, establish the range and initial balance, then trade what’s in front of you. Full breakdown’s in the Pre-Market Playbook below. [file_download style=”2″][op_file_download_item title=”Thursday%2C%20August%2014%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-8142025.pdf” package=”” level=”” new_window=”Y”][/op_file_download_item][/file_download]

Momentum Builds as Bulls Dominateby Tony Rago Fresh highs everywhere — NQ just hit 24,000, and ES bulls are eyeing 6500 to finish the job. News flow is dead quiet, and after yesterday’s CPI surge, we could be in digestion mode. With VIX still stuck in the 14s, volatility has to get off the floor before we see another real push. Stay objective. Watch the levels in front of you. Be patient enough for the trade to come to you — and ready in case the tape flips. Full breakdown’s in the Pre-Market Playbook. Read it here and decide for yourself if this market’s topping… or just warming up. [file_download style=”2″][op_file_download_item title=”Wednesday%2C%20August%2013%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-08132025.pdf” package=”” level=”” new_window=”Y”][/op_file_download_item][/file_download]

  CPI Pops, Bulls Chargeby Tony Rago Market liked the CPI print — NQ’s flirting with a new all-time high. Now the question is whether we get some actual volatility in the regular session we can trade. I’ll let the open play out and see where we stand by the top of the hour. Bulls have the ball here. Be careful trying to get cute and pick the top — this tape’s not giving up easy. Full game plan’s in today’s Pre-Market Playbook. [file_download style=”2″][op_file_download_item title=”Tuesday%2C%20August%2012%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-08122025.pdf” package=”” level=”” new_window=”Y”][/op_file_download_item][/file_download]

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]