S&P 500 (ES)
Prior Session was Cycle Day 2: Digestion, Acceptance & Target Fulfillment
Another textbook PTG session where objectives were met, targets were tagged, and late-day games were exposed.
Overnight / Pre-Market
-
NQ:
✅ 3-Day Rally Target fulfilled @ 25,906
Monster overnight extension — cycle objective completed before the bell even rang. -
ES:
✅ Initial 3-Day Cycle Target @ 6,970 fulfilled overnight
Price proceeded to run the entire prior session’s range, confirming directional dominance.
No mystery. No drama. Just cycle math doing cycle things.
For greater detail of how this day unfolded, click on the Trading Room RECAP 1.15.26 link.
…Transition from Cycle Day 2 to Cycle Day 3
Transition into Cycle Day 3: Targets Achieved — 92% Cycle Stat Still Standing…Options Expiration Shenanigans
Markets remain firmly parked in the same familiar neighborhood we’ve been outlining all week — range-bound, rotational, and largely allergic to follow-through. No change to the broader character.
Key rotational support remains anchored at 6925, while 7025 continues to cap upside enthusiasm. Until one of those levels is cleanly evicted, expect more chop than trend.
The Three-Day Cycle Statistic has officially done its job, which places today squarely in “Wild-Card” territory, courtesy of Options Expiration. Translation: price discovery takes a back seat, positioning games take the wheel.
As such, trading bias stays intentionally light. And yes, it’s FRYday — historically one of our least favorite sessions to press risk. Liquidity tricks, head-fakes, and premium extraction are the order of the day.
Reminder (and not a suggestion):
👉 FRYday is CAPITAL PRESERVATION DAY.
Protect inventory. Let others overtrade.
There’s always another cycle coming.
— PTG
🎯 Cycle Day 3 Focus
Scenarios to consider for today’s trading.
🟢 Bull Case
-
Hold north of 6985 +- 5 pts targets 6995…7000…7005
🔴 Bear Case
-
Hold south of 6985 +- 5 pts targets 6975…6970…6965
PVA High Edge = 7013 PVA Low Edge = 6995 Prior POC = 7010
⚠️ Tactical Takeaway
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.
ESH
Nasdaq (NQ)
…Transition from Cycle Day 2 to Cycle Day 3
Transition into Cycle Day 3: Textbook 3 Day Cycle
The Nasdaq delivered a clean, textbook Three-Day Cycle, exactly as advertised. Price established a precise Cycle Day 1 low at 25,420.75, then proceeded to rally straight into the 25,906.30 objective with ultra-precision execution. No drama. No guesswork. Just disciplined auction mechanics doing what they statistically do best.
With cycle objectives now satisfied, the only item left on the checklist is to navigate Options Expiration, before markets shut their doors Monday in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. A welcomed pause, as traders collectively look to recharge after a decidedly range-bound and rotational start to the new year.
As conditions stand, this remains a manage-risk environment, not a press-risk environment. Inventory churn continues to dominate, trends remain elusive, and patience remains a competitive advantage.
🔄 Rotation… Rotation… Rotation
Wash. Rinse. Repeat.
🎯 Cycle Day 3 Focus
Scenarios to consider for today’s trading.
🟢 Bull Case
-
Hold north of 25735 +- 10 pts targets 25805…25850…25900
🔴 Bear Case
-
Hold south of 25735 +- 10 pts targets 25675…25645…25580
PVA High Edge = 26000 PVA Low Edge = 25888 Prior POC = 25625
⚠️ Tactical Takeaway
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.
NQH
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.”
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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.
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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