PTGDavid began the day by noting that the early bulls had ball control, indicating initial strength in market momentum. This set the tone for a session of careful observation and strategic commentary.
By 9:50 AM, he provided specific technical levels for the day’s trading scenarios:
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For the S&P 500 (@ES): A bullish scenario would be triggered if price sustained a bid above 5445, targeting the 5475 to 5500 zone.
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For the Nasdaq (@NQ): A bullish structure would hold above 18,900, with targets between 19,050 and 19,150.
Later in the morning, David referenced the DTS Briefing, highlighting that target zones were being filled. This suggested that the market had already achieved expected levels, leading to caution for potential reversals or consolidation.
He acknowledged the complex trading environment, especially as price transitioned into Cycle Day 3, a phase typically associated with fulfilled targets and increased uncertainty. He emphasized that this day should be considered a “wild card” in terms of directional bias. Despite this, the strategic imperative remained the same: trade only high-probability “Triple A” setups and maintain rigid risk management with hard stop-losses in place.
Throughout the afternoon, PTGDavid continued offering insights as the market exhibited erratic and less rhythmic behavior:
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He described the price action as lacking clarity, stating it was “not a very clean rhythmic day,” and referred to the movement as “Shake n Bake,” underscoring the choppy and unpredictable conditions.
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A Tweezer Bottom candlestick pattern was identified late in the day, suggesting a possible bullish reversal. Note:
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He monitored NYSE TICKs and noted their drift lower, pointing to weakening intraday sentiment.
In closing remarks, David cited a $3.5 billion Market-On-Close (MOC) buy imbalance, which helped provide some structure to the otherwise indecisive session. He concluded the day by reiterating that the market’s expectation of consolidation and stabilization appeared to be unfolding.
Educational Takeaways from April 15, 2025
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Cycle Day structures (like Day 3) help contextualize whether price targets have already been met and can signal caution or reversals.
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Precise levels (e.g., ES 5445 / NQ 18900) act as confirmation thresholds for bullish scenarios—patience is key until these are met.
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In complex environments, it is critical to stay aligned with the dominant market force while remaining flexible within your trade plan.
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Candlestick formations such as the Tweezer Bottom can signal potential reversals, especially after fulfilled targets and directional fatigue.
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The presence of large MOC imbalances can hint at institutional sentiment and should be monitored during late-day trading.
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Emotional discipline is as important as technical precision; sitting on hands in choppy markets is sometimes the best trade.