Quantum's IWM Trading Guide 4/8/25IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) - Sector: Broad Small-Cap ETF (Russell 2000)
Sentiment:
--Bearish (softening). Pre-market put volume eased, RSI 44 up from 42, X posts overnight hint at an oversold bounce despite tariff fears, suggesting a less dire tone.
Tariff Impact:
--Moderate. Industrials/financials exposure persists.
News/Catalysts:
--Consumer Credit (April 8) could spark a relief rally if strong; X posts on tariff delays offer faint hope, though bearish bias lingers.
Technical Setup
-Weekly Chart:
---HVN above as resistance, weekly low as support.
---Downtrend (8-week EMA < 13-week < 48-week).
---RSI 44 (less weak), MACD below signal (histogram narrowing)
---Bollinger Bands near lower band,
---Donchian Channels below midline,
---Williams %R -70 (easing from -74).
-One-Hour Chart:
---Support at yesterday’s low, resistance at midday high, weekly confluence.
---RSI 42 (up from 40),
---MACD below signal (histogram less negative),
---Bollinger Bands near lower band,
---Donchian Channels below midline,
---Williams %R -72 (up from -76).
-10-Minute Chart:
---Pre-market bounce attempt, 8/13/48 EMAs flat (less steep),
---RSI 42 (up from 38),
---MACD flat near zero.
Options Data:
---GEX: Bearish (softening)—pinning pressure eased slightly overnight.
---DEX: Bearish (softening)—put delta leads but less aggressively.
---IV: Moderate—25–30% vs. 20–25% norm, steady volatility.
---OI: Put-heavy—high OI below close persists.
---Directional Bias: Bearish (softening). GEX’s reduced pinning suggests less dealer-driven downside, DEX’s put delta bias weakens, moderate IV supports some volatility but not extreme moves, and put-heavy OI anchors prices lower—still bearish but with less conviction.
Sympathy Plays:
--TNA (Direxion Small Cap Bull 3X): Falls 3x if IWM dumps, rises if IWM rebounds.
--TZA (Direxion Small Cap Bear 3X): Gains if IWM dumps, fades if IWM rallies.
--Opposite Mover: IWM dumps → TZA rallies; IWM rallies → TNA surges.
Sector Positioning with RRG:
--Sector: Broad Small-Cap ETF (Russell 2000).
--RRG Position: Lagging Quadrant. Tariff/rate drag persists.
Top 5 Movers (Russell 2000): SMCI (+2%), MARA (+1.5%), RIOT (+1%), CVNA (+0.8%), PLUG (+0.5%).
Bottom 5 Movers (Russell 2000): AMC (-3.5%), RKT (-3%), UPWK (-2.5%), ZETA (-2%), RUN (-1.8%).
IWM
Quantum's Premium IWM Weekly OutlookSentiment
Overall Sentiment: Bearish with potential for reversal.
Options Activity: Recent data shows elevated put volume over calls (e.g., 8 puts Ascending Triangle DEX suggests a bearish directional bias. Posts on X indicate traders are eyeing short setups, reinforcing this sentiment.
1 OTM Premiums:
0DTE (April 7 expiration):
Call: $182 strike, premium $1.20 (moderate IV, ~35%).
Put: $180 strike, premium $1.35 (moderate IV, ~35%).
Weekly (April 11 expiration):
Call: $182 strike, premium $1.45 (moderate IV, ~32%).
Put: $180 strike, premium $1.40 (moderate IV, ~32%).
Notes: Premiums are kept under $1.50 for cost efficiency in 0DTE and weekly trades. IV levels are moderate, reflecting recent volatility spikes but not extreme conditions, making these contracts attractive for short-term plays.
Technical Indicators:
Weekly EMAs (8/13/48): The 8-week EMA ($198.50) is below the 13-week ($202.10) and 48-week ($208.30), confirming a downtrend.
RSI (14-week): 32, nearing oversold territory, hinting at a possible bounce.
Market Context: Small-cap stocks like IWM have been under pressure due to tariff fears and a hawkish Fed stance. However, oversold conditions and seasonal strength in April could signal a relief rally.
Potential: Continuation of the downtrend is likely unless a catalyst reverses sentiment, but a short-term bounce to $185–$190 is plausible given oversold readings.
Tariff Impact
Exposure: Moderate to severe.
Analysis: IWM tracks the Russell 2000, comprising small-cap U.S. companies, many of which are domestically focused (e.g., manufacturing, retail). A 10% universal tariff, 25% on Canada/Mexico, or 46% on Vietnam could raise input costs for these firms, squeezing margins. Sectors like industrials (20% of IWM) and consumer discretionary (15%) are particularly vulnerable. However, tariff impact may be overstated—rising interest rates and a strong dollar are likely stronger drivers of recent weakness. Critically, the narrative around tariffs often amplifies fear beyond fundamentals, offering contrarian opportunities if panic subsides.
News/Catalysts
Recent News: Trump’s tariff rhetoric intensified last week, with small-caps hit hardest (IWM down 9.5% in 1M). The Fed’s hawkish December stance continues to weigh on risk assets.
Upcoming Events:
April 8: Consumer Credit data release—could signal consumer health, critical for small-cap earnings.
Mid-week: Potential tariff policy updates—speculative but impactful.
Speculative Catalysts: X posts highlight short interest in IWM and oversold conditions, suggesting a squeeze potential. A surprise Fed pivot or tariff rollback could spark a massive rally.
Alignment: Small-caps are sensitive to economic data and policy shifts, making IWM a prime candidate for volatility-driven moves.
Technical Setup
Weekly Chart:
Key Levels:
High Volume Node (HVN): $195–$199 (prior support, now resistance).
Monthly Open: $199.78 (resistance).
Weekly Low: $176.67 (support).
Trend: Downtrend since March peak ($208.52), testing year-lows.
One-Hour Chart:
Support: $179–$180 (confluence with weekly low).
Resistance: $182.50–$184 (prior consolidation zone).
10-Minute Chart:
Entry/Exit:
Bullish: Break above $181.50 (8-EMA) with a hammer candle for a long to $183.
Bearish: Breakdown below $180 with volume for a short to $177.
EMAs (8/13/48): 8 ($181.20) > 13 ($181.00) < 48 ($182.30)—choppy, no clear trend intraday.
Indicators:
RSI (14): 38 (10-min), neutral but rising—watch for divergence.
MACD: Near zero line, flat—momentum stalling.
Options Data Weekly Overview
Gamma Exposure (GEX): Bearish—pinning near $180–$182, dealers hedging accelerates downside below $180.
Delta Exposure (DEX): Bearish—put-heavy activity signals directional selling.
Vega Exposure (VEX): Neutral—moderate volatility potential, no extreme IV spike expected.
Implied Volatility (IV): Moderate (~32–35%)—elevated but manageable, favoring sellers over buyers.
Open Interest (OI): Bearish—high OI at $180 put and $185 call strikes, capping upside.
Potential Price Targets
Bullish: $185 (+2.2%)—tests weekly HVN; $190 (+5%) if momentum builds.
Bearish: $177 (-2.3%)—revisits year-low; $170 (-6.2%) on tariff escalation.
Trade Idea
Bullish 0DTE (April 7):
Trade: Buy $182 Call @ $1.20.
Entry: Break above $181.50.
Target: $183 (profit $0.80, +66%).
Stop: $180.50 (loss $0.70, -58%).
Bearish 0DTE (April 7):
Trade: Buy $180 Put @ $1.35.
Entry: Breakdown below $180.
Target: $178 (profit $0.65, +48%).
Stop: $181 (loss $0.85, -63%).
Opening (IRA): IWM May 16th 190/195/220/225 Iron Condor... for a 1.70 credit.
Comments: I think I have more than enough long delta on at the moment, so opting to go nondirectional/delta neutral here. Selling the 25's and buying the wings out from there, collecting one-third the width of the wings in credit.
Metrics:
Buying Power Effect: 3.30
Max Profit: 1.70
ROC at Max: 51.5%
50% Max: .85
ROC at 50% Max: 25.8%
Will generally look to take profit at 50% max, roll in oppositional side on side test.
US2000 Small Caps DANGER!Fully formed rising channel ready to collapse.
-Where do I begin with this chart? Wave 3 up ending.
-Multiple Double Top (Daily time frame and 4 hour.)
-Head and Shoulders
-Multiple CRACKS already in place.
-Consolidation at the bottom of the structure
All screaming DANGER to bulls!!
$QQQ Looks to Be in a Do or Die AreaNASDAQ:QQQ For a bull case, I need to see this get above both the horizontal area of resistance and the downtrend line on this 65 minute chart.
It looks like it could be forming yet another bear flag. All TBD. If it breaks the flag down, I would expect another leg lower.
So what we have here is a case of do or die. Hope this helps
Bearish & Boring? Maybe. Profitable? Definitely.Bearish & Boring? Maybe. Profitable? Definitely. | SPX Market Analysis 12 Mar 2025
You know that feeling when you wake up and wonder if you’re stuck in a time loop? Yeah, me too.
For what feels like the hundredth time, I’m reporting that the bear move is grinding lower. The difference? The profits keep stacking up—so I’m not complaining.
Yesterday’s rally was supposedly triggered by Canada pausing tariffs, but let’s be real—this market is looking for any excuse to bounce. Yet, the overall trend remains the same: a slow, stair-stepping drop. Based on this drop-pause-drop rhythm, I suspect we’re entering the next pause before another leg down.
My bear boots are full, my trade allocations are set, and I’m waiting for two tranches to exit profitably before considering any new plays. Until SPX clears 5850, the bullish setups stay on the shelf.
This is the good kind of waiting—the kind where the market moves for me instead of me chasing it.
---
Deeper Dive Analysis:
If it feels like Groundhog Day, you’re not alone. The bearish grind continues, slowly pushing lower, delivering small but steady wins. Unlike a panic-driven crash, this move is unfolding in slow motion, keeping traders on edge, wondering if a rally is lurking around the corner.
📌 A Market Looking for an Excuse to Bounce
Yesterday’s rally attempt was supposedly fueled by news that Canadian tariffs were being paused, but let’s be honest—this market is desperate for any reason to move higher. The reality? The larger bearish structure remains intact.
Every bounce so far has been short-lived.
The market keeps following a drop-pause-drop pattern.
We’re likely entering the next "pause" phase before another move down.
📌 My Trading Approach—Locked, Loaded, and Waiting
Right now, my bear boots are full, meaning I’m not adding new positions until my current tranches exit profitably.
Two tranches are set to exit with profits by the end of the week.
If we push lower or continue sideways, I’ll take my exits and reassess.
Until SPX clears 5850, I won’t even think about bullish setups.
📌 What’s Next? The Good Kind of Waiting
There’s no need to chase trades or force new entries. I’m simply letting my plan play out. If the market continues its slow-motion decline, I’ll collect my wins, reload selectively, and wait for the next prime setup.
For now, I sit back and enjoy the show—because this time, the market is working for me, not against me.
---
Fun Fact
📢 Did you know? In 2008, Porsche trapped hedge funds in one of the greatest short squeezes in history, briefly making it the most valuable company in the world—all thanks to a secretive stock manoeuvre.
💡 The Lesson? Markets don’t just move up and down—they can also turn traders inside out. The wrong bet at the wrong time can be devastating… unless, of course, you have a system that keeps you on the right side of the trade. 🚀
$ROKU Bullish Reversal?I have taken a 1/2 size position here on $ROKU. It had a nice big earnings gap and has since pulled back. It looks to me that it is now ready to reverse higher. See notes on chart.
I have taken the fact that it broke (just barely) the Downtrend Line and put in what looks to be a reversal candle. My stop will be just below yesterday's low.
This is my idea. If you like it, please make sure it fits within your trading rules. While I consider this a low risk trade, you may not. Thanks for looking. Comments always welcome.
The IWM is sitting at critical support!!!On Friday, the IWM broke through a multi year support line (beige) and closed below a multi year parallel channel. Thankfully, it found support at its 200 day MA. If the IWM cannot recapture the inside of the parallel channel this week and confirms a close below the 200 day MA - watch out below. This should be on every one’s watch list this week because where the small caps go - every other risk asset will follow!!!
RUSSELL 2000 failed breakout and consolidation We are back in this blog space after a couple of days holiday. The RUSSELL 2000 ETF AMEX:IWM failed at the same price point which it failed back in Nov 2021. It seems Price having a memory. It failed at the same price it failed in Nov 2021. After it failed from the top on 16th Dec 2024 it has recently retraced back to the 0.236 Fib retracement level @ 2237. It has been consolidating at that level and if it breaks down then the next support is @ 2167 .
Before the AMEX:IWM breaks out form this pattern it has to complete the wedge forming consolidating pattern. In my opinion the direction will be decided by the TVC:US10Y . As long as the TVC:US10Y stays below 4.5% the AMEX:IWM can consolidate here and then my break upwards as long as the bull market remains intact.
Direction of AMEX:IWM will be determined by TVC:US10Y
$XBI Starting New Bullish Trend?AMEX:XBI has been range bound (wide range) for a year. Recently it has been in a downtrend as defined by lower highs and lower lows. However, it looks like we now have a recent higher high and (maybe) a higher low. There are still technical challenges like it is under all moving averages. It would look much better once it gets above the shorter-term MAs which are all declining. The MACD is on a slight downward slope as well.
Having pointed all that out, I will be looking at a lower time period chart to get an early entry with a tight stop. If I do take a trade on this, I will post the chart I am looking at. All TBD.
This is my idea, if you like it, please make the trade your own and follow your own trading rules.
$SNOW Trying to Break-Out
NYSE:SNOW as of today has tested the breakout / resistance area Six times in the last 9 trading sessions. Today it tried again but it is hard to fight the market trend. However, the more it tests this area the more likely it is to successfully breakout. As always, there is no guarantee that it will or will continue higher.
I am long this name at 186.90 and have a stop just below the most recent low @ 175.25. Once it breaks out and holds, I will use a trailing stop on the 21 EMA (green). It will need to close convincingly under the 21 EMA. Let’s see what happens.
If you like this idea, please make sure it fits your trading plan.
$IWM Trending UpThe Russell 200 Index is clearly in an established uptrend as you can see on this weekly chart. The CPI number out this morning looks like it will push it back to the lower trendline. If recent history is still intact (it is for now), there may be an opportunity for a long trade on a reversal. All TBD.
My plan is to wait for a reversal back to the upside then look for a low-risk reward entry. There is an area of resistance around that horizontal line as well.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
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📊 Proven strategy: A few weeks ago, I ran an experiment comparing QQQ (Nasdaq-100 ETF), SPY (S&P 500 ETF), and IWM (Russell 2000 ETF). Using technical analysis, I outperformed two of them. The tests showed that blind purchasing could be costly: for instance, regular SPY purchases would have left $100,000 on the table, and IWM even more.
But here’s the point: this isn’t about blindly picking an index - it’s about timing, risk optimization, and smart diversification.
💡 Now, it’s YOUR turn! Drop two indexes in the comments that you want me to analyze every single month.
You decide the final list (likely 4-5 indexes), and I’ll cover them consistently. Whether it’s S&P 500, Nasdaq-100, DAX, Euro Stoxx 50, Russell 2000, or others - you pick, I deliver.
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$QQQ Wedging on the 65 Minute Chart (VCP)NASDAQ:QQQ is clearly in a wedging pattern. These types of patterns “usually” resolve in the direction of the larger trend. In this case that trend is still up.
This is a news driven market now so anything can happen. I have an alert set at both the top and bottom of the wedge lines. I do not plan to short this market, but should it break down, I may want to reduce my exposure. And if it breaks to the upside, I may add more exposure.
I am giving my observation of the market. Nothing more.
$CWAN Ready to Break Out of The Flat Base?
NYSE:CWAN is a name most of us have never heard of. They serve hedge funds, asset managers, and insurance clients with Analytic software.
It looks like it is in the process of putting in a higher low. It has regained the 8 and 20 EMAs and the MACD has turned positive. It can still go either way. There is overhead resistance at both the upper horizonal line on the chart and the now downward sloping 50 DMA (red).
I have an alert set on the upper resistance line around 29.50. Should that trigger, I will go to a lower timeframe like a 5-minute chart to see if I can get a good entry. My stop, if I take the trade would be on a close below the 20 EMA (green). Making for a tight and good risk reward trade. I do not set targets, but I do think it has a chance to get back up to around 32.00 – 32.50. Which is around a 13% gain if that were to happen.
If you like this idea, make it your own trade that fits your trading style.
$QTUM Maybe Trying to break out of This Wedge (VCP)I have been long this name for a few months now in my investment account. I have added more today with a stop on the added position size just below today’s low. There are some very big names in this ETF, it invests in AI learning as well as Quantum Computing.
It looks to me to be in a Volatility Contraction Pattern (VCP), more popularly called a wedging pattern. I went long more shares as indicated above in anticipation of a break above the declining upper trendline. It also is supported by both the 8 and 20 EMAs and has consolidated to get more inline with the 50 DMA (red).
If you like it, make the trade your own and make sure it fits your trading plan.
Look at the fund holdings in “More About Fund” link supplied by TradingView. Here are some of the names you might recognize: NASDAQ:KLAC NYSE:IBM NASDAQ:PLTR NYSE:RTX NYSE:BABA
From Defiance ETF Website:
QTUM
Index Description: The BlueStar® Machine Learning and Quantum Computing Index (BQTUM) tracks liquid companies in the global quantum computing and machine learning industries, including products and services related to quantum computing or machine learning, such as the development or use of quantum computers or computing chips, superconducting materials, applications built on quantum computers, embedded artificial intelligence chips, or software specializing in the perception, collection, visualization, or management of big data.
$TAN Is This Getting Ready for a Stage 2 Breakout?Clean Energy (Solar) has been in a downtrend since January 2021! Every time it looks like it is setting up for a stage 2 breakout, it has broken down. Will this time be different?
Here is what I see on this chart.
TAN
was in a clear downtrend until mid-December 2024. Then it challenged its previous high from the beginning of December. That failed BUT, it seems to have found a bottom as here we are in early February, and it has not sunk any lower than the December lows.
I am optimistic that we may be ready to enter a Stage 2 uptrend. However, it has work to do. The first step is to get up and over the 50 DMA (red). Next it needs to break the Downtrend line. It also needs to put in a higher high and finally put in a higher low. As I said, it has work to do.
Having said all of that, I have an alert set just over the 50 DMA where I will look for a good entry where I can put in a tight stop should I decide to make the trade. IF, it is going to enter a sustained uptrend it “could” be a big winner. All TBD.
These are my ideas, if you think it makes sense for you, please make it your own trade that fits within “your” trading plan.
2/03/2025 Weekly Analysis + WatchlistSPY - Failed 2U week after going outside month the week before. Not super shocking, but now we sit in an interesting spot. The new month will open inside bar and has to either take out previous month highs (Which is ATH) or Jan Lows. Seeing that the range is pretty wide for downside, It will take less effort to make new ATH. Not that it means a whole lot, but that is something to note. Next, we see the week closed failed 2D, but is pretty much slapped right in the middle of last weeks range, so it will take an equal amount of effort to make a HH or LL. Finally, from a daily perspective we have a large failed 2U with slight PMG to the downside. We are definitely primed for a sharp corrective move Monday, but of course anything can happen, we are just much closer to seeing the bear scenario than bull. In my mind, the ideal weekly scenario is this: Monday sees sharp corrective move, taking out the PMG guys, then the rest of the week climbs, triggering the weekly 2-2 Rev, which then ideally sends us into ATH once more before seeing either BF expansion on the Month (since we would go 3-2U.), or seeing us start to come back through last months range for a larger corrective move. In the pure bear scenario, we trigger the daily reversal, head down to weekly 2-2 cont. trigger, then see if we can make progress down back through a few daily gaps, ultimately targeting prev month low for the 3-2D M. Given that we are going into a new monthly open after going 3, we could very easily just chop and go nowhere for the week seeing as we may just remain inside week with the month being inside to start out before possibly seeing control more clearly dictated in the 2nd/3rd week of Feb. Main advice regardless is to trade things that are moving early on like gappers, and anything where the month goes 2U or 2D in the first week. Avoid inside bars if possible and trade light!
Main setups for the week:
Bull:
GE - Inside D and W
ORCL - Hammer W to head back through D gap. Cautious with this one
MRVL - Weekly 2-2U. Daily gap fill to the upside after giant gap down to exhaustion risk
Bear:
BA - Shooter 3-2D weekly. Bear Revstrat daily. Daily BF looks solid.
MSFT - MoMo Shooter M, 3-2D W, Daily 2-1-2D. Check daily BF. Still has magnitude after massive ER drop
VZ - Weekly 2-2D, Daily shooter 2-1-2D, FTFC Red. Check daily BF
Neutral:
RKLB - Inside week. Nuclear Green FTFC and super crazy ATR lately