Wahoo! Is it a bear flag or a what? Seems that everybody is focused on chart patterns lately and as a result the patterns aren’t working as they traditionally do. I’d attribute that to fear and other emotions as the market is skittish about so much uncertainty on so many topics. I’m focused more on [...]

Fear can strike in the market just like anywhere else in life and when it does, the amygdala is in high gear. Irrational thoughts and negative self-talk begin to kick in and low probable trading can ensue. Fear is a part of the market, there’s no getting around that. What we as traders can do [...]

Despite a near 2% gap down for $SPY at the cash open on Friday I noticed the extrinsic value starting to decay quickly ahead of the 3-day weekend. Wanted to play some weekly put spreads but never did meet my comfort level and I didn’t feel like gambling. As the day wore on and the [...]

I use seasonality as a gauge to manage risk. If seasonal tendencies continue their course then the less likely technical levels are to be broken. When seasonal tendencies lose their way is when volatility increases and I step up my risk management as things are afoot. One of the most widely touted seasonal plays is [...]

In the trenches of the markets we make decisions on a daily basis as to whether and where our capital is put to work. Perhaps the decision is something as quick as a short-term scalp lasting mere seconds or a longer lasting swing trade that may take 2-3 days to reach its potential. Regardless of [...]