Session Overview: Cycle Day 1 – Decline Rhythm
PTGDavid began the session with a clear framework: Cycle Day 1, which historically carries a bearish bias and is associated with a pattern of initial weakness, potential midday reversal attempts, and often a continuation lower into the close. He referenced the Daily Trade Strategy (DTS) Briefing, noting that price had already fulfilled the initial lower target zone in the overnight session.
🕒 7:42 AM – “Overnight trade has price fulfilling the lower target zone outlined in Daily Trade Strategy briefing.”
🕒 7:45 AM – Confirmation that @NQ also met its downside objective pre-market.
Intraday Structure and Execution Levels
As the session unfolded, PTGDavid called out critical levels and structural behaviors:
-
9:36 AM – Defined the Open Range: 60–70.
-
9:44 AM – Observed that the early price action remained well-aligned with the initial DTS target zone.
-
10:40 AM – Identified a “Classic Dip n Rip,” a manipulation pattern targeting weak long positions.
-
Emphasized the VWAP Open Range High holding, which reinforced bearish sentiment.
-
-
10:58 AM – Noted potential for a gap fill if bulls could sustain a bid above the 5680s.
-
2:11 PM – Announced successful gap closure, though distinguished his interpretation from that of “purists” seeking a specific print.
-
2:46 PM – Declared that the Globex Open Price had been officially filled – a significant level for liquidity.
-
3:01–3:23 PM – Precision call-out as sellers targeted 5685 liquidity, fulfilling a textbook liquidity grab and confirming the anticipated Cycle Day 1 structure.
Market Tone and Community Dynamics
Throughout the session, PTGDavid maintained a tone that blended analytical rigor with trader camaraderie:
-
Used vivid metaphors such as “PAC MAN keeps nibbling” to describe persistent price action around key levels.
-
Commented on sentiment: “Bulls running out of steam… heading into the quiet lunch period.”
-
Closed the session affirming textbook price behavior aligned with his Cycle Day model.
🕒 3:17 PM – “Textbook Cycle Day 1 Rhythms.”
🕒 3:50 PM – Noted a modest $800M MOC Buy Imbalance, calling it “mice nutz,” implying minimal impact.
Educational Takeaway: Mastering Cycle Day Structure
PTGDavid’s guidance offers a powerful lesson in cycle structure trading. By framing the session through the lens of Cycle Day 1, traders were equipped with a directional bias and measurable expectations before the opening bell. His method emphasizes:
-
Preparation via DTS Briefings
-
Level-based execution around VWAP, Open Range, and Globex reference prices
-
Adaptability to intraday price behavior, such as failed bounces or confirmed gap fills
🔍 Key Learning:
“Structure first, execution second.”
Understanding the rhythm of market cycles enables traders to anticipate likely behaviors, manage risk effectively, and align with higher-probability scenarios.