NAS100USD: Retracement to Target Sell Stops Below Support ZoneGreetings Traders,
In today’s analysis on NAS100USD, while the market is currently showing bullish momentum, there are clear signs that we may experience a retracement toward the downside. This move would likely target the discount sell stops below the illustrated support zone, providing an opportunity to align with institutional order flow.
KEY OBSERVATIONS:
Institutional Resistance Zone: A strong order block has formed, creating a significant resistance level that price may struggle to break through. This order block, coupled with the Fair Value Gap (FVG) beneath it, strengthens the bearish case. These two institutional resistance zones suggest a higher likelihood of a retracement.
Premium Price Zone: Price is currently trading in a premium range, a favorable area to monitor for potential selling opportunities upon confirmation.
Liquidity Target : Our primary target is the discount sell stops resting below an engineered support zone. This zone is a key draw on liquidity, where we anticipate significant institutional interest.
TRADING PLAN:
Entry Strategy : Wait for confirmation before entering short positions at the current premium price level.
Targets : Focus on the liquidity pools below the support zone, particularly the discount sell stops, as these represent the main draw on liquidity.
Patience and precision are crucial. By following institutional clues, we can effectively position ourselves for high-probability trades.
Happy Trading!
The Architect 🏛📊
Premiumselling
NAS100USD: CPI Volatility & Institutional Continuation Sell-OffGreetings Traders,
In today’s analysis on NAS100USD, we observe that the market remains bearish following a significant CPI news release. This high-impact event resulted in a sharp bearish displacement, reinforcing the ongoing bearish narrative. Yesterday, I shared an analysis predicting this continued bearishness. For those interested, you’ll find that analysis attached at the end of this description for deeper context.
KEY OBSERVATIONS:
CPI-Induced Displacement : The CPI release triggered a large downward move, forming a massive single candle that left behind a noticeable inefficiency—a Fair Value Gap (FVG).
Liquidity Grab & Fair Valuation: After sell stops were taken, price retraced to fill the FVG, restoring fair valuation. This retracement fully closed the gap, confirming a continuation of bearish order flow.
Premium Price Zone: We are currently in a deep premium price range, which aligns with institutional distribution zones. These areas offer excellent opportunities for confirmation-based sell entries.
TRADING PLAN:
Entry Strategy: Look for confirmation at the current premium price level before entering short positions.
Targets: Focus on discount liquidity pools at lower prices, as these are the areas institutions will likely target to take profits.
By following the institutional flow, we align ourselves with smart money practices, improving our precision and probability of success. Stay patient and disciplined—confirmation is key!
For more context, here’s yesterday’s analysis below.
Happy Trading!
The Architect 🏛📊
Opening (IRA): TSLA March 21st 330/335/465/470 IC*... for a 1.70 credit.
Comments: Post-earnings, IV remains fairly decent here at 57.3. Selling the -20 delta short option legs and buying the wings out from there. Basically, just doing small stuff while I wait for other stuff to play out.
Metrics:
Max Profit: 1.70
Buying Power Effect: 3.30
ROC at Max: 51.2%
50% Max: .85
ROC at 50% Max: 25.8%
Delta/Theta: .95/2.24
Will generally look to take profit at 50% max, consider doing a delta adjustment when the delta/theta ratio skews out to >2.0.
* -- Iron Condor.
Opening (IRA): SMH February 21st 195/220/270/295 Iron Condor... for a 3.91 credit.
Comments: Back into the semiconductor ETF, where I don't have a position on currently. Going comparatively low delta, with the short options camped out at the 17 delta on both sides and the wings about 1/10th the price of the underlying in width.
Metrics:
Max Profit: 3.91
Buying Power Effect: 21.09
ROC at Max: 18.54%
50% Max: 1.96
ROC at 50% Max: 9.27%
Will generally look to take profit at 50% max, roll untested side in toward current price on side test.
Opening (IRA): PLTR Feb 28th 70/75/100/105 Iron Condor... for a 2.11 credit.
Comments: High IVR/IV at 89.1/81.3. Adding to my PLTR position as an earnings announcement volatility contraction play.
Metrics:
Max Profit: 2.11
Buying Power Effect: 2.89
ROC at Max: 73.01%
50% Max: 1.06
ROC at 50% Max: 36.51%
Will generally look to take profit at 50% max, immediately roll out to March if a side is tested.
Opening (IRA): INTC Feb 21st 15/19/20/24 Skinny IC... for a 2.04 credit.
Comments: High IVR/IV (91.4/69.7) earnings announcement volatility contraction play. Going "skinny"/"almost iron fly" here. For purposes of take profit, treating it as an iron fly, where I generally look to take profit at 25% max.
Metrics:
Max Profit: 2.04
Buying Power Effect/Max Loss: 1.96
25% Max: .51
ROC at 25% Max: 25.0%
Opening (IRA): EWZ Feb 28th 22.5 Short Put... for a .51 credit.
Comments: After closing my Feb 17th 23 for a small profit, opening up a position at a strike slightly lower than what I just had on, attempting to pick up shares at the lowest price the market will allow. Had to use the weeklies to get into the 22.5.
Opening (IRA): MSTR 2x225/2x240/460/490 Iron Condor... for a 7.00 credit.
Comments: IV remains high here at 112.4%. Going "double double" (put spread half the width of the call spread, but 2 x the number of contracts) to accommodate skew. Earnings are on 2/4, so will probably want to get out before then.
Metrics:
Max Profit: 7.00
Buying Power Effect: 23.00
ROC at Max: 30.43%
50% Max: 3.50
ROC at 50% Max: 15.22%
Will generally look to take profit at 50% max, roll in untested side on side test to about half the delta of the tested side. Given earnings on the horizon, will naturally just money/take/run for less if presented with the opportunity.
Opening (IRA): MSTR 180/210/410/440 Iron Condor... for a 6.03 credit.
Comments: High IV at 95.8%. Here, going delta neutral, 1/10th the price of the underlying for my wing width, and setting up my short option strikes at the 16 delta on both sides.
Metrics:
Max Profit: 6.03
Buying Power Effect: 23.97
ROC at Max: 25.16%
50% Max: 3.02
ROC at 50% Max: 12.58%
Will generally look to take profit at 50% max; roll in untested side on side test.
Opening (IRA): SMH February 21st 200/225/270/295 Iron Condor... for a 5.44 credit.
Comments: At 42 DTE, selling premium in the semiconductor exchange-traded fund here with a neutral assumption ... . Using wings that are 1/10th of the price of the underlying in width.
Metrics:
Max Profit: 5.44
Buying Power Effect: 19.56
ROC at Max: 27.8%
50% Max: 2.67
ROC at 50% Max: 13.9%
Will generally look to take profit at 50% max; roll in untested side on side test.
Opening (IRA): ARKK February 21st 47/52/63/68 Iron Condor... for a 1.50 credit.
Comments: High IVR/IV. Doing a little delta neutral premium-selling stuff while I hand sit and wait for stuff to come in/be managed.
Metrics:
Max Profit: 1.50
Buying Power Effect: 3.50
ROC at Max: 42.9%
50% Max: .75
ROC at 50% Max: 21.4%
Will generally look to take profit at 50% max, roll in untested side on side test.
Opening (IRA): TAN Jan 17th 33 Short Put... for a 1.01 credit.
Comments: Adding to my TAN position at a strike/break even better than what I currently have on. Here, going Plain Jane short put, since there isn't a great advantage to going monied covered call here because the IV skew isn't between the call and put sides isn't significant.
Metrics:
Buying Power Effect/Break Even: 31.99
Max Profit: 1.01
ROC at Max: 3.16%
50% Max: .52
ROC at 50% Max: 1.58%
Will generally look to take profit at 50% max.
Opening (IRA): COIN December 20th 220/230/380/390 Iron Condor... for a 2.67 credit.
Comments: High IVR/IV at 74.1/91.5. Going low delta with the short option legs and narrower than usual with the wings.
Metrics:
Max Profit: 2.67
Buying Power Effect: 7.33
ROC at Max: 36.4%
50% Max: 1.34
ROC at 50% Max: 18.2%
Will generally look to take profit at 50% max; roll in untested side on side test.
NAS100USD: Is Bearish Control Taking Over?Greetings Traders!
While NAS100USD remains bullish, I see signs of a potential bearish shift for several reasons identified on the chart. Most notably, price has been rejecting a Rejection Block, a significant institutional resistance zone. This rejection has resulted in strong downside displacement, signaling that institutional interest may now lean bearish.
Retail vs. Institutional Resistance
Institutional Resistance:
Price has retraced into heavy premium levels, ideal for selling opportunities (sell in premium, buy in discount). A key difference with institutional resistance lies in its foundation on Rejection Blocks. These order blocks, formed at market turning points, are characterized by large wicks relative to candle closures. They indicate that institutions or smart money entered substantial sell orders, giving confidence to anticipate bearish price action.
Retail Resistance:
In contrast, retail resistance often serves as engineered liquidity. Here, banks and institutions create the illusion of a resistance zone to entice retail traders into taking trades. These zones, strategically placed at premium levels, enable institutions to sell against retail positions. Understanding this manipulation is critical for aligning with institutional order flow.
Trading Plan
Confirmation Zone:
Monitor price action at the Rejection Block and premium levels for bearish confirmation.
Targets:
Fair Value: The 50% retracement of the leg.
Liquidity Pool: The downside liquidity resting below current levels.
Discussion and Insights
If you have questions, analysis, or insights, feel free to share them in the comment section. Let’s collaborate, learn, and grow as traders!
Kind regards,
The_Architect
Opening (IRA): MSTR Dec 20th 75/155 Short Put Vertical... for a 5.43 credit.
Comments: High IVR/IV at 61.1/113.9. Doing something a little different here, selling the 10 delta short put and buying a put that cuts BPE in about half over doing a naked. Going low delta because, well, the underlying kind of scares the poo out of me.
Metrics:
Buying Power Effect: 74.57
Max Profit: 5.43
ROC at Max: 7.28%
50% Max: 2.72
ROC at 50% Max: 3.64
Compare:
Dec 20th 155 Short Put (Cash Secured)
BPE: 148.30
Max Profit: 6.65
ROC at Max: 4.48%
Will generally look to take profit at 50% max.
Grab Your XAUUSD Scalping Chance!Market Analysis Summary:
Buy Opportunity: Targeting the 2750 zone from the 2730-27 level.
Market Structure: Overall bullish trend, indicating potential upward movement.
Short-Term Caution: Formation of lower lows may lead to a sell-off down to 2690.
Upcoming Events: NFP report is on the horizon, which could introduce market volatility.
Key Points to Consider:
Monitor the 2730-27 zone for entry signals.
Watch for price action around 2690 for potential reversals.
Be prepared for fluctuations around the NFP release.
Stay informed and adjust your strategies accordingly!
Opening (IRA): NVDA Nov 15th 83/98/143/158... for a 2.70 credit.
Comments: 30-day IV remains fairly decent here at 48.9%. Going wider than I usually do from a delta standpoint, with the short option legs camped out at the 16 delta, but with the wings at standard width (1/10th the price of the underlying), knowing that I will probably adjust the setup at some point given its duration (56 DTE).
Earnings haven't been firmly announced yet, but are likely to occur right around mopex (~11/14), so will look to be out of the trade by then.
Metrics:
Buying Power Effect: 12.30
Max Profit: 2.70
ROC at Max: 21.95%
50% Max: 1.35
ROC at 50% Max: 10.98%
Will generally look to take profit at 50% max; roll in sides to delta balance.
Opening (IRA): SMH Nov 15th 190/215/280/305 Iron Condor... for a 4.13 credit.
Comments: IV remains "adequate" here at 39.1%. Selling the 16 delta short options and buying the wings 1/10th of the price of the underlying out from there ... .
Metrics:
Buying Power Effect: 20.87
Max Profit: 4.13
ROC at Max: 19.79%
50% Max: 2.07
ROC at 50% Max: 9.90%
Will generally look to take profit at 50% max/roll up untested side on side test.