Morning Session

• The market opened within the DTS Briefing’s Bull/Bear Scenario levels, with price holding steady.
• The Bull Scenario indicated that if the price held above 5645, targets in the 5665 – 5670 zone were expected.
• The Bear Scenario suggested that if price sustained below 5645, it would target the 5620 – 5615 zone.
• Market transitioned from Cycle Day 1 to Cycle Day 2, with some expected balancing and consolidation following prior month- and quarter-end activity.
• There was growing attention on April 2nd’s Tariff Liberation Day, which introduced potential uncertainty into the market.
• PTGDavid reiterated the importance of following a structured trading plan, executing only high-probability setups, and maintaining hard stop-losses.

Early Trading Action

• The first trade triggers occurred in Crude Oil (CL) and Equity Futures (ES):
  • A long trigger in Crude Oil (CL) saw its first target filled.
  • A short trigger in ES at 3410 setup was executed successfully, meeting all target objectives.
• The Open Range for ES was defined as 5628 – 5642.
• A 50-handle Initial Balance range of 5600 – 5650 was established, defining the day’s trading framework.

Midday Trading Developments

• The market moved into a more structured rhythm, with PTGDavid noting improved conditions over the prior session.
• A V-bottom pattern emerged, signaling strength in the bullish trend.
• Bulls maintained control for most of the session, but selling pressure began to surface near prior highs.
• A4 Long Position was trailed out as stop levels adjusted dynamically.

Afternoon Session & Market Close

• The 2 PM session saw a “Shake n Bake” price movement, with volatility increasing.
• Bulls initially controlled the market but later gave up morning gains, slipping below key levels.
• There was a critical test of the Open Range, with bulls making a last stand to defend it.
• As the session neared its end, PTGDavid emphasized the importance of trading current conditions rather than past price action.
• A MOC (Market On Close) Buy Imbalance of 1.1 billion was recorded, pushing prices higher into the close.
• The day ended with bullish momentum but with increased caution due to late-session volatility.

Educational Takeaways from the Session

1. Follow the Dominant Force – Trading should align with the dominant trend for the session.
2. Define Key Levels – Marking and respecting critical price levels such as Open Range and Initial Balance helps frame the market structure.
3. Risk Management is Key – Always have hard stop-losses in place to mitigate risk.
4. Trade What’s Happening Now – Do not dwell on past price movements; focus on real-time market conditions.
5. Avoid FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) – Chasing trades can lead to poor decision-making; instead, wait for high-probability setups.
6. Market Reactions Matter – External factors like economic events or geopolitical shifts can influence price action, requiring traders to stay adaptable.
7. Trend Confirmation is Crucial – Using tools such as ATR flips and symmetrical moves helps identify sustained trends versus temporary fluctuations.

By adhering to these principles, traders can enhance their discipline, execution, and overall market performance.