“Capital Preservation Day… because giving your profits back to the market is not a recognized retirement strategy.”
The PTG faithful logged in Friday morning expecting another thrilling episode of “Will the Bulls Finally Bounce?” Spoiler alert: they did not.
David kicked off the day with his now-sacred FRYday decree:
“Capital Preservation Day.”
Translation: if you’ve made money this week, today is not the day to audition for the role of Exit Liquidity.
The Morning Beatdown
Before the cash market even had a chance to put on its shoes, the bears were already rummaging through the refrigerator.
- Early test of the Overnight Low.
- Pre-Opening Premium hit all targets.
- Pre-RTH A4 Short completed.
- CD1 Average Decline projections pointed to 7640-7635.
As price marched steadily lower, David calmly pointed out that the projected decline zone was approaching.
A short time later…
Price entered the zone almost to the number.
At this point PTG members were nodding knowingly while traders elsewhere on FinTwit were busy drawing fresh trendlines on charts that had already violated the previous six.
A10 Delivers the Goods
The A10 short setup produced:
✅ Target 1
✅ Target 2
✅ Target 3
The runner eventually got stopped out, but not before giving traders another reminder that taking profits is a lot more enjoyable than explaining “diamond hands” to your spouse.
Ram’s Corner
Ram earned a well-deserved hat tip for developing an 89 EMA alignment filter for the DV Strategy.
The room responded with appreciation.
Meanwhile Ram casually dropped observations such as:
“7630 Put wall”
and later:
“amazes me we get the decline starting at CD3 and 92% success rate.”
Which is the trading-room equivalent of saying:
“I don’t want to brag, but…”
while very clearly bragging.
Bulls Receive a Temporary Participation Trophy
As price entered the 7640-7635 CD1 Target Zone and approached the 7630 put wall, buyers finally showed signs of life.
For a few brief moments, hope appeared.
The bulls attempted a counterattack.
The market responded with:
“That’s adorable.”
Intel Joins the Chat
In the middle of the session, David highlighted the day’s market headline:
Intel down 29%.
If you listened closely, you could hear portfolio managers across America updating their résumés.
Intel wasn’t just falling.
It was demonstrating the difference between:
- “pullback”
- “correction”
- and “gravity discovering a new gear”
Trading Psychology Intermission
Between market carnage, the room somehow found time for:
- Friendly encouragement
- Self-improvement discussion
- Internal Family Systems videos
- Knuckle sandwich nostalgia
When Steve called himself stupid for a trade mistake, Ram provided the day’s most important lesson:
We all make mistakes. Don’t be harsh on yourself.
A rare and refreshing reminder that successful traders spend less time fighting the market and less time fighting themselves.
Afternoon Bloodbath
David returned for the final two hours and quickly assessed the situation:
“Bulls getting castrated.”
As technical analysis goes, it’s difficult to argue with the clarity.
Attention shifted toward the September 16 low around 7573.
The question became whether buyers would finally defend the level.
The answer:
Not enthusiastically.
After mentioning the previous day’s massive $7 billion buy imbalance, David wondered aloud whether institutions would double down or run for cover.
By the afternoon it appeared many were exploring the “run for cover” option.
Closing Bell
The September low was eventually tested:
“There it is >>> Sept low”
The bears had spent the entire session driving the bus, choosing the route, and occasionally throwing the bulls out a moving window.
David’s final guidance summed up the day perfectly:
“Do not cover until you see their bloodshot eyes!!!”
In other words, when a trend is working, don’t suddenly become the hero in a movie about catching falling knives.
Final Scorecard
Winners
✅ A4 Short
✅ A10 Short
✅ CD1 Decline Projection
✅ Put Wall Reaction Zone
✅ Traders who listened to “Capital Preservation Day”
Survivors
🟨 Bulls
Casualties
💀 Dip buyers looking for a V-bottom every 15 minutes
💀 Intel shareholders
💀 Anyone who believed a $7 billion buy imbalance guaranteed higher prices
PTG Moral of the Story
Friday wasn’t about aggressive hero trades. It was about respecting downside targets, taking profits when offered, and avoiding the irresistible urge to turn a good week into an expensive lesson.
Or in simple PTG terms:
The bears got paid, the bulls got educated, and David got to say “I told you so” without actually saying it. 😏