The trading session started with PTGDavid greeting the group and acknowledging the early morning market conditions. Shortly after, he shared a market sentiment update from Subu Trade, highlighting that AAII Bears had reached 61.9%, the highest level since the 2009 bear market bottom. This indicated extreme bearish sentiment among retail investors, potentially signaling a contrarian buying opportunity.
As the market opened, PTGDavid emphasized the role of Cycle Indie, a tool that automates calculations for key market levels. He confirmed the first target fill on a CL OPR short trade and noted an initial long-side lean while maintaining flexibility based on market rhythms. Chief later pointed out a critical resistance level at 19105 in NQ, which correlated with the midnight open.
Throughout the morning, PTGDavid provided real-time insights on market structure, highlighting OPR levels for ES (5510-5540, MP 5525) and reinforcing that range rules were in play. As the first 30 minutes of trading unfolded, he noted that the expected MATD (Morning After Trend Day) range rhythms were developing as anticipated.
By mid-morning, PTGDavid identified key trade setups, such as a valid long entry at Open Range Low Level from CCI Discount Xtreme. Shortly after, economic data releases were acknowledged, prompting traders to evaluate potential market reactions.
The market dynamics shifted when Dr. Dean attributed a failed NQ buy setup to Trump’s influence. Shortly afterward, Raja observed a significant downward price movement, and PTGDavid metaphorically described the situation as bulls slipping on a “soap bar,” followed by an accompanying image.
As the afternoon session progressed, PTGDavid analyzed continued selling pressure, emphasizing the necessity for bulls to reclaim IB Low at 5476 to stage a sustainable bounce. He noted a high-volume climax bar and provided visual context with an uploaded chart image. Resistance remained firm, and he observed more climax volume prints, signaling persistent selling dominance.
Later, Slatitude39 pointed out a rare ATR 4 Bull signal under a down-sloping red ribbon, a setup that PTGDavid confirmed but clarified was not a buy signal. The selling pressure continued, leading him to humorously remark, “The Selling Will Continue Until Morale Improves!” alongside another image.
As traders sought explanations for divergent commodity performances—such as NG rising while CL dropped—PTGDavid and other members provided insights into OPEC production decisions and external market influences. He also introduced the concept of the D-Level Money Box (DLMB) and shared a supporting image illustrating its relevance.
Closing out the session, PTGDavid reported an MOC Buy Imbalance of 600M, describing it as “Mice nutz,” suggesting it was relatively small. His final post of the day marked the end of trading with a succinct “hagee.”
Educational Takeaways:
- Sentiment Indicators Can Be Contrarian Signals – The AAII Bear reading of 61.9% suggested extreme bearishness, which often precedes market bottoms.
- Cycle-Based Analysis Automates Market Level Calculations – Tools like Cycle Indie assist in identifying key levels without manual input.
- Market Structure Awareness is Key – OPR, MP, and IB levels provide traders with important areas of interest.
- Volume Climax Bars Indicate Exhaustion – Observing high volume at significant levels can help identify turning points.
- Flexibility in Trading Strategy is Crucial – PTGDavid maintained an adaptive approach rather than a rigid bias.
- Understanding Market Jargon Enhances Communication – Terms like MATD, DLMB, and OPR are useful for decoding professional trading discussions.
- Macroeconomic & Fundamental Factors Influence Prices – NG and CL divergence highlighted the impact of geopolitical and supply-related news.
- Emotional & Psychological Elements in Trading – The humorous commentary reflected the importance of keeping perspective during volatile sessions.