S&P 500 (ES)

Prior Session was Cycle Day 2: Normal CD2 unfolded as price dipped to prior high finding responsive and sustained bid which propelled and extended the rally fulfilling the 5673 PT as outlined in prior DTS Briefing 5.1.25. Note the CD2 pattern to the right (see graphic). Range was 80 points on 1.307 contracts exchanged.

Got to appreciate when a plan comes together as outlined the previous evening. 🙂 🙂 🙂

FREE TRIAL link to PTG/Taylor Three Day Cycle

For a more detailed recap of the trading session, click on this link: Trading Room RECAP 5.1.25

 

…Transition from Cycle Day 2 to Cycle Day 3

Transition into Cycle Day 3: Price target has been fulfilled and exceeded with price now coming into short-term balance. 

Today is the all-important Non-Farm Payrolls (Jobs Report), so we will mark today as a “Wild-Card” for direction.

Market Expectations

Economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal anticipate that the report will show an increase of approximately 133,000 jobs in April, a decline from the 228,000 jobs added in March . This slowdown in job growth is attributed to several factors, including recent economic contractions and the impact of tariffs on various sectors.Investopedia+1Moomoo+1

Economic Context

The upcoming NFP release gains significance against a backdrop of economic challenges:

• Economic Contraction: The U.S. economy experienced a contraction in the first quarter of 2025, marking the first such decline in three years .Reuters

• Tariff Impacts: President Donald Trump’s tariff policies have been linked to negative effects on the U.S. economy, with particular strain observed in the manufacturing sector .Reuters+2Investopedia+2Business Insider+2

• Manufacturing Sector Struggles: Surveys indicate that the manufacturing sector, which was intended to benefit from tariffs, is instead facing layoffs and hiring freezes .Investopedia

Recent Market Movements:

Ahead of the NFP release, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) closed at $558.47, up 0.70% from the previous day . The Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1 (QQQ) ended at $481.68, gaining 1.20% . Meanwhile, the SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD) declined by 2.07% to $297.46, reflecting a decrease in gold prices as investors anticipate the upcoming employment data .

Investors and analysts will be watching the April NFP report closely for insights into the U.S. labor market and potential implications for monetary policy.

 

Of course, nothing changes for PTG…Simply follow your plan. Take only Triple A setups and manage the $risk. ALWAYS HAVE HARD STOP-LOSSES in-place on the exchange.

PTG’s Primary Directive (PD) is to ALWAYS STAY IN ALIGNMENT with the DOMINANT FORCE.

As such, scenarios to consider for today’s trading. 

Bull Scenario: Price sustains a bid above 5610+-, initially targets 5635 – 5650 zone. 

Bear Scenario: Price sustains an offer below 5610+-, initially targets 5590 – 5580 zone.

PVA High Edge = 5665    PVA Low Edge = 5634         Prior POC = 5644

   ESM

Nasdaq (NQ)

Prior Session was Cycle Day 2: Normal CD2 unfolded as price dipped to prior high finding responsive and sustained bid which propelled and extended the rally fulfilling the 19985 PT as outlined in prior DTS Briefing 5.1.25. Range was 368 points on 581k contracts exchanged. 

…Transition from Cycle Day 2 to Cycle Day 3

Transition into Cycle Day 3: Price target has been fulfilled and exceeded with price now coming into short-term balance. 

Today is the all-important Non-Farm Payrolls (Jobs Report), so we will mark today as a “Wild-Card” for direction.

FRYDAY is Capital Preservation Day!

Of course, nothing changes for PTG…Simply follow your plan. Take only Triple A setups and manage the $risk. ALWAYS HAVE HARD STOP-LOSSES in-place on the exchange.

PTG’s Primary Directive (PD) is to ALWAYS STAY IN ALIGNMENT with the DOMINANT FORCE.

As such, scenarios to consider for today’s trading. 

Bull Scenario: Price sustains a bid above 19825+-, initially targets 19915 – 19975 zone. 

Bear Scenario: Price sustains an offer below 19825+-, initially targets 19710 –  19690 zone.

PVA High Edge = 20025     PVA Low Edge = 19915         Prior POC = 19975

NQM 

Economic Calendar

Trade Strategy: Our tactical trade strategy will simply remain unaltered…We’ll be flexible to trade both long and short side from Decision Pivot Levels. Continue to focus on Bull/Bear Stackers and Premium/Discounts. As always, remaining in alignment with dominant intra-day force increases probabilities of producing winning trades.

Stay Focused…Non-Biased…Disciplined  ALWAYS USE STOPS!

Good Trading…David

“Knowing is not enough, We must APPLY. Willing is not enough, We must DO.” –BR

*****This trade strategy report is disseminated for “education only” and should not be viewed in any way as a recommendation to buy or sell futures products.”

PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS

IMPORTANT NOTICE! No representation is being made that the use of this strategy or any system or trading methodology will generate profits. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. There is substantial risk of loss associated with trading securities and options on equities. Only risk capital should be used to trade. Trading securities is not suitable for everyone.

Disclaimer: Futures, Options, and Currency trading all have large potential rewards, but they also have large potential risk. You must be aware of the risks and be willing to accept them in order to invest in these markets. Don’t trade with money you can’t afford to lose.

This website is neither a solicitation nor an offer to Buy/Sell futures, options, or currencies. No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve profits or losses similar to those discussed on this web site. The past performance of any trading system or methodology is not necessarily indicative of future results.

CFTC RULE 4.41 –HYPOTHETICAL OR SIMULATED PERFORMANCE RESULTS HAVE CERTAIN LIMITATIONS. UNLIKE AN ACTUAL PERFORMANCE RECORD, SIMULATED RESULTS DO NOT REPRESENT ACTUAL TRADING. ALSO, SINCE THE TRADES HAVE NOT BEEN EXECUTED, THE RESULTS MAY HAVE UNDER-OR-OVER COMPENSATED FOR THE IMPACT, IF ANY, OF CERTAIN MARKET FACTORS, SUCH AS LACK OF LIQUIDITY. SIMULATED TRADING PROGRAMS IN GENERAL ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE DESIGNED WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT. NO REPRESENTATION IS BEING MADE THAT ANY ACCOUNT WILL OR IS LIKELY TO ACHIEVE PROFIT OR LOSSES SIMILAR TO THOSE SHOWN