SPX trade ideas
S&P 500 index Wave Analysis – 29 April 2025
- S&P 500 index broke key resistance level 5500.00
- Likely to rise to resistance level 5700.00
S&P 500 index recently broke the key resistance level 5500.00 (former support from March, which also stopped A-wave of the active ABC correction B from the start of April).
The breakout of the resistance level 5500.00 coincided with the breakout of the 50% Fibonacci correction of the downward impulse from February.
S&P 500 index can be expected to rise toward the next resistance level 5700.00, target price for the completion of the active impulse wave C.
Grab Some Points To Upside In SPX/USD $$$Hey fellow traders and followers!
How go's the profits so far? Market movin & groovin to the beat of the Orange drum.
I'm here to help if you are having any troubles or confusion with SPX. Let's have a quick look.
We have a V pattern in the 1hr chart so let's trade this baby!
Breakline is 5530.3 so we wait to see a break above before getting long. Pattern support is around 5510, a break below that price area would likely cancel out the bullishness of this pattern so keep eyes on that. Daily low support sits around 5484.9. A break below that support spells a short down for 29 points. A break above the breakline is a long good for around 29 points. RSI is 55.77 (Bulla). Easy money if the V gets flyin $$$.
Don't listen to any news or rumors, listen to your charts. Wait! Did you hear that? Your 1hr chart is whispering something about easy money if you pay close attention to the numbers and the rules laid out within.
Hey! best of luck in all your trades people ! Wishing all of you prosperous trades. $$$
Trading the Impulse Rally Retracement — Price and Time Symmetry Fundamental —
Trend is observed from an impulse run’s lowest/highest point and projected outwards in symmetrical fibonacci retracement via price/time from the first reversal candle to the end of the rally, creating crosshairs. These ‘crosshairs’ visually represent the trending ‘price distribution projection’ in price/time symmetry.
Using this concept, I draw a ‘projection trend line’ from the bottom or top of the impulse run thru the projected 78.6% price/time retracement value, to identify the price distribution structure in a linear form.
Now to introduce my STOP LOSS TRIANGLE.
This is a concept of decaying price and time as an underlying move towards our theoretical projection, where if the underlying enters our built faded cross-section, the SL is triggered to avoid sideways consolidation and decaying contract premiums.
This ‘right’ triangle that is ‘sclene’ by nature is created by taking the furthest projection in price/time symmetry (78.6%) and drawing a vertically placed straight line to the highest/lowest point in the rally previously identified. Here, I create a ‘right triangle’ by turning 90 degrees towards my final point, which is made by the nearest projection in price/time symmetry (38.2%). In its entirety, this forms the stop loss triangle
Mongoose Desk Alert | SPX Gravity vs Macro Reality — Recession 📈 Mongoose Capital | Macro Heat Check — April 28, 2025
Chart Overview:
US500 fighting gravity at 5475.
Macro Score: 2/7 — only 28.57% bullish probability.
Inflation is sticky, unemployment is rising — recession risk is quietly creeping higher.
Credit markets are holding... for now. (KRE > 50, HYG > 78)
Signal:
✅ Smart Hold signals prevented panic buying.
⚠️ Recession Score now climbing — 3/5 triggered.
🚨 Risk-Off conditions remain dominant.
Desk Outlook:
"Price relief is illusionary.
The underlying engine is sputtering — without liquidity, rallies will fail.
Patience and precision: Mongoose Style."
Mongoose Capital Tactical Bias:
Short bias into major resistance zones.
Long volatility setups favored.
Recession trades preparing for launch.
#MongooseCapital #MacroTrading #SPX #US500 #RecessionWatch #TradingDesk #MarketUpdate
Option Insights – Trading the Greeks Part 3 of 4: Gamma ScalpingOption Insights – Trading the Greeks Part 3 of 4: Gamma Scalping
Gamma Scalping is a trading strategy that combines long option positions with a hedging position in the underlying asset to isolate and profit from the convexity of options. It is essentially a non-directional swing trading strategy that aims to capture price swings—regardless of direction—by neutralizing the linear component of option value changes and focusing on the convexity gains.
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How It Works
Gamma Scalping begins by purchasing a single option or a strangle, and simultaneously entering a hedging position in the underlying to achieve Delta neutrality (the "Delta hedge"). The strategy then waits for a swing in the underlying price in either direction.
Because of the long Gamma position, the position’s value is a convex function of the underlying price. This means that the position will either:
• Gain more than the Delta hedge in a favorable move, or
• Lose less in an adverse move.
The combined position becomes profitable as the underlying moves, regardless of direction. The linear component of the option’s value change—driven by Delta—is hedged, so any residual profit comes from the convexity, i.e., the Gamma.
To realize this convexity profit, the Delta hedge is re-adjusted after the swing has played out. In other words, after the market appears to have reached a turning point, the position is brought back to Delta neutral.
The optimal adjustment points are at the sequential peaks and troughs of the market. Rebalancing at intermediate points captures some convexity value, but typically less than adjusting only at clear turning points.
This is illustrated in the two subcharts of the introductory chart.
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How Does Gamma Scalping Make Money?
The change in the value of an option due to a change in the underlying price is approximately the sum of the Delta-weighted change in the underlying (the linear portion) plus a Gamma-weighted convexity component (convexity portion).
• The linear portion is hedged by the underlying.
• The convexity portion remains and represents the profit opportunity.
While the convexity component is typically smaller than the potential linear gain, it is always positive—unlike the linear term, which is only profitable when the direction is predicted correctly.
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What’s Being Traded?
Gamma scalping involves adjusting the hedging position—not the options—at perceived turning points in price swings. The options position is kept intact as long as it maintains sufficient Gamma to deliver meaningful convexity.
Even in volatile markets that demand frequent trading, all activity is confined to the underlying, which tends to be liquid and low-cost to trade.
Once the option’s Gamma decays significantly, the entire position (options + hedge) may be reset to “refresh” the Gamma exposure.
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What’s the Catch?
The convexity value isn’t free—it comes at the cost of time value decay, as measured by Theta.
If Delta neutrality isn’t re-established promptly during a swing, even a brief counter-move in the underlying can erode the accumulated convexity gains due to time decay. Gamma scalping thus becomes a race between capturing convexity and losing value to Theta.
The key challenge lies in timing:
• Too early: Frequent adjustments reduce overall convexity capture.
• Too late: Time decay eats into the gains.
• Too slow: As expiration approaches, the range in which sufficient Gamma exists narrows, shrinking the window of opportunity.
Despite these challenges, Gamma scalping offers an appealing alternative to traditional directional swing trading, with a more nuanced risk profile. However, it does require experience in managing Theta—especially with short-dated options.
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Is Gamma Scalping the Opposite of Time Value Trading?
In a way, yes, but not quite.
Time value trading involves selling options and Delta hedging them—such as in volatility premium strategies (e.g., selling index strangles). These traders aim to minimize realized volatility and capture the decay of implied volatility.
By contrast, Gamma scalping buys options and seeks to maximize realized volatility—through the trader’s own hedging actions. The subtle differences in hedge execution distinguish these two approaches.
This contrast—and what it means to minimize or maximize realized volatility in a hedging strategy as well as time value trading itself—will be explored in more depth in Part 4 of the “Options Insights – Trading the Greeks” series.
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Coming Up Next:
📘 Part 4: Time Value Trading and Volatility Premium
by parsifaltrading
The Bear Is Dead. Long Live the Bull.From Fakeout to Full Send - SPX Flips Bullish
You could almost hear the financial media pop champagne today.
“Markets Surge Amid Easing Trade Tensions” they yelled.
“Global confidence returns!” they assured.
And sure, that’s a cute story.
But for us, Wednesday’s bear push now looks like a feint. A setup. A spring.
By Friday, the bull had not only taken the ball - it ran with it.
That V-shaped reversal pattern on the daily chart? It’s live. And it’s loud.
Technically, it’s now pointing to a projected upside of 6106.
That’s not just some random number. That’s the prior range high zone coming back into focus.
And in case you needed a reminder…
The bear is dead. Long live the bull. (until it isn't)
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SPX Market View - Bullish Flip Confirmed
Wednesday gave us a classic tease.
Bearish energy. A flicker of downside. But it fizzled fast.
Then came Thursday - and with it, a clean sweep into Friday.
The V-shaped daily reversal triggered.
Price pushes off the lows
Sentiment flipped
And a new upside target emerged at 6106
It’s not just technical fluff. This level marks a structural return to the previous range highs - a natural magnet for bullish continuation.
Meanwhile, I’ve done a bit of chart housekeeping myself.
After two months of letting bias sneak in and lines and notes multiply like rabbits, I’ve hit the reset button.
🧹 Clean charts. Clean mind. Just the essentials.
The direction has changed - and I’m treating it with fresh eyes.
One line I am keeping?
5400. It’s been the pivot point for weeks. A battle-tested zone. It now serves as the bull’s first major checkpoint.
If price respects that level on any dip, it’s game on.
And if we breach it? That’s when the doubt returns.
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💡Expert Insights: Common Trading Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
MISTAKE: Letting cluttered charts and old bias cloud current decisions.
FIX:
Regularly clean your charts — strip them down to what matters.
Use setups that speak for themselves (like the V-shape).
Don’t bring yesterday’s opinion into today’s trade.
A new direction demands a new perspective. And as price shifts, so must your lens.
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🗞️Rumour Has It…
BREAKING:
Powell Declares Bull Market, Blames Moon Phase for Midweek Bear Tease
Financial news outlets were caught scrambling when the SPX reversed higher through thursday despite Wednesday’s doom-and-gloom.
“Clearly the moon was in retrograde,” Powell reportedly muttered, while clutching a Fibonacci ruler.
In other news, China's trade delegation released a statement saying, “We’re not sure what’s happening either.”
(This section is entirely made-up satire. Probably.)
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🤯Fun Fact - The Original “Clean Chart” Addict Was… Jesse Livermore
Before indicators, algos, and triple-screen madness, Jesse Livermore – the OG speculator – was famous for trading from price and price alone.
In fact, he refused to use charts with clutter.
He would manually draw his price levels, log his trades by hand, and sometimes go days without placing a trade – waiting for the market to tip its hand.
His trading edge?
Patience.
Price action.
And a clean, unobstructed read.
One of his favourite tricks?
He’d mentally mark key inflection levels (like your 5400) and wait until price either exploded past or rejected hard before acting.
So next time you reset your chart – you’re not just decluttering…
You’re channelling Livermore.
SPX on threshold of bullish breakout? I am cautiously bullishNations may be lining up to kiss Trump's a??? but SPX has come to kiss a confluence of trendline resistance as well as POC
Also markets we approaching month end. You only need to look at the past month ends and see what happens to the price, yes they tend to reverse very often if not always, specially if the prices are below 200 ema as it is now.
I would be watching how the market behaves next week. Soft economic data are pointing to weaker economy and the underlying problem of highly leveraged Hedge Funds remain. I wonder if they begin to deleverage some more at this level.
Any future decline would be a good entry point
Option Insights – Trading the Greeks (Part 2 of 4):Gamma Effects# Option Insights – Trading the Greeks (Part 2 of 4)
## Option Convexity and Gamma Effects
### Gamma – The Convexity of Options
Gamma measures how much the Delta of an option changes in response to movements in the underlying asset’s price. Mathematically, it is the second derivative of the option’s value with respect to the price of the underlying. In simpler terms, Gamma quantifies the curvature—or convexity—of the option’s price sensitivity.
- Positive Gamma: Accelerating Delta as the underlying moves.
- Negative Gamma: Decelerating Delta as the underlying moves.
This convexity becomes especially important for traders managing exposure. A directional trader might seek:
- Positive Gamma near anticipated breakouts to increase exposure during favorable moves.
- Negative Gamma in areas where they want to taper exposure, such as in covered call setups (where the short call reduces gains as price rises).
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## Gamma and Delta Hedging
Traders who Delta hedge their option positions using the underlying (or a Delta-1 instrument) face the reality of nonlinearity: Delta changes as the market moves, and Gamma determines how fast.
In practice, this means hedgers must adjust frequently to maintain a neutral Delta—Gamma tells them how often and how aggressively.
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## Hedging a Position with Positive Gamma
When hedging and holding positive Gamma:
- If the underlying price rises → Delta increases → Sell the underlying.
- If the underlying price falls → Delta decreases → Buy the underlying.
This results in countercyclical trading, i.e., trading against the market trend.
**Advantages:**
- Potentially dampens volatility.
- Allows for limit order execution (e.g., sell at offer when price rises), capturing bid-offer spreads.
- Automated or semi-automated setups possible.
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## Hedging a Position with Negative Gamma
With hedging and holding negative Gamma, the adjustments are procyclical:
- Price rises → Delta drops → Buy more underlying.
- Price falls → Delta rises → Sell more underlying.
**This means:**
- You're chasing the market, increasing exposure in the direction of the move.
- You likely cross the spread to ensure execution (lifting the offer or hitting the bid).
- This behavior tends to amplify volatility and incurs transaction costs.
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## Summary: Gamma's Impact on Hedging
- Long Gamma → Hedge countercyclically, dampen market movements, and potentially profit from spreads.
- Short Gamma → Hedge pro-cyclically, amplify market movements, and pay the spread.
This distinction underscores a critical point: hedging Delta is not just about neutralizing exposure—it’s about managing how that exposure evolves, which is precisely what Gamma represents.
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## Can You Hedge Delta Without Gamma Risk?
**In theory?** Yes.
**In practice?** Not really.
Hedging an option (a nonlinear instrument) with the underlying (a linear one) means you’re using a linear approximation of a curved payoff structure. This hedge is only locally accurate—it must be rebalanced frequently to remain effective.
While it’s theoretically possible to hedge both Delta and Gamma using other options, this introduces complexity:
- Other Greeks (like Theta and Vega) enter the equation.
- Option hedges are often illiquid, expensive, or difficult to scale.
For most traders, hedging Delta with the underlying remains the simplest, most liquid, and most cost-effective approach—despite the need for Gamma-based adjustments.
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## Gamma Trading & Gamma Scalping
Even in non-directional strategies, Gamma has value.
Gamma scalping involves actively trading the underlying around an options position to exploit short-term price swings:
- You buy low and sell high as the underlying fluctuates,
- Profiting from volatility, not direction.
This is a powerful technique for monetizing Gamma, particularly when implied volatility is elevated relative to realized moves.
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## Coming Up Next:
📘 Part 3: Gamma Scalping – Monetizing Convexity Through Active Hedging
by parsifaltrading
Narrative Noise vs. System ClarityApparently, the market was “uncertain” today.
Somewhere between Trump retracting his Powell shade, the Fed playing PR dodgeball, and tariffs being simultaneously on and off the table… headlines were doing what they do best: explaining yesterday with confidence.
But the chart?
The chart spoke first.
We came into the session ready for bullish confirmation.
Instead, we got a clean rejection of 5400, with early signs of downside pressure before lunch.
This is why we follow price, not PR.
Today’s action didn’t invalidate the bull bias completely, but it sure made the case that bears aren’t done just yet.
Let’s unpack what we saw and where we’re headed next.
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Additional images mentioned can be seen on my main blog
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SPX Market Outlook - Structure Rejected, Futures Rolling
While the headlines continue to spin post-news confusion, the price action remains our guide.
Yesterday, we came into the session prepared for a bullish continuation, but 5400 acted as a firm barrier once again.
The daily chart showed a clear rejection, and despite the bullish lean in the morning, the structure leaned bearish by session’s end.
Now, as I write this before the cash open, overnight futures are pushing lower, indicating potential follow-through.
That doesn’t confirm anything just yet - but it does tilt the bias.
Here’s what I’m watching:
5400 = still key resistance
5300 = GEX flip level - will reassess bearish view if we break and hold below it
5000 remains the target for the Wolfe pattern continuation
Upper Bollinger tag is in - another technical sign of short-term exhaustion
No bear pulse bar yet, but a clean V-shaped reversal is visible on the chart
ADD remains near bull extreme - offering more bear potential than bull in the short term
Bias remains bearish below 5300, and I’ll reassess to add in below that level.
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GEX Analysis Update
5500 - 5400 - 5350 all look interesitng levels
5300 is the current flip point
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Expert Insights: React to Price, Not PR
❌ Mistaking news for a setup
Narratives are seductive. They come with headlines, urgency, and lots of confident pundits.
✅ Stick to the chart
Price told us today’s story long before CNBC tried to.
5400 rejection. No pulse bar. Bullish exhaustion on ADD.
That's not confusion. That's confirmation — if you're paying attention.
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Rumour Has It…
Trump was overheard saying, “Maybe Powell’s alright. Maybe.” Dow gained 0.3% and then shrugged.
5400 is reportedly suing for emotional damages after being rejected for the third time this month.
A Wolfe Wave ghost briefly appeared on the chart, waved, and vanished near 5300.
(This section is entirely made-up satire. Probably.)
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Fun Fact - News Always Arrives After Price
Markets don’t wait for clarity.
They move first, then the headlines scramble to explain why.
The pattern is timeless:
Price shifts.
Smart traders react.
Media catches up.
Retail says, “Oh, THAT’S why.”
Yesterday was no exception.
So if the news says “flat and uncertain,” but the chart shows a failed breakout, don’t wait for a CNBC blessing to press the button.
The system already said what it needed to say.
Tariff Talks Flip the Tape - 5400 Under FireWolfe Gasping, Bulls Grinning
Well, this is exactly what every bear didn’t want to wake up to…
Overnight, markets surged higher after Trump hinted at easing tariffs and gave Powell a thumbs-up. It’s like watching your opponent trip mid-game, then suddenly recover, score a hat trick, and throw you a smug grin.
That line in the sand we’ve been talking about?
5400.
It’s been the invalidation level for weeks – and now it’s being bulldozed like it never mattered.
This isn’t about guessing the news.
It’s about having a clear point where your bias says, “Okay, I’m out.”
The Wolfe was working… until it wasn’t.
And that’s okay.
Because while the bear swing has been fantastic, we’re now seeing what might be the higher low reversal we flagged a few weeks ago - just without the drop to 5000 first.
Frustrating? A little.
Unexpected? Not really.
Tradable? Absolutely.
Let’s look at how this flips our setup for today.
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SPX Market View - Bull Bias Activated (Finally)
Well, that escalated quickly.
With the overnight futures surge and 5400 now breached, the Wolfe Wave is officially off the board. Our long-standing bear bias has been invalidated — and we flip bullish for the first time in weeks.
This is the power of having a system.
You don’t need to guess. You just need a line in the sand. Ours was 5400. Price crossed it. The bias flips.
Here’s what I’m watching now:
5400 is now the breakout zone – if it holds at the cash open, bulls have full control
Higher low structure playing out across the daily chart
GEX positioning will be key — I’ll be watching for hedging demand shifts to confirm upside stability
This doesn’t mean we go all-in bull mode with blind optimism.
It means we assess new setups in line with the price action, and if they confirm – we act.
Bull’s got the ball (for now).
Let’s see if he fumbles or scores.
GEX Analysis Update
5300 acting as the updated flip point overnight
SPX prices potentially gaping 100+ points assuming the futures hold their gains.
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Expert Insights: Know Your Invalidation
❌ Clinging to a bias too long
It’s tempting to hold on to the story. “Wolfe’s still in play,” you tell yourself… even after price says otherwise.
✅ Know your invalidation level
5400 was the line. It’s been clear for weeks. Once price punched through it — the plan said, “That’s it. Game over for the bear.”
No ego. No hoping. No rewriting the script mid-trade.
Your system needs boundaries.
Otherwise, it’s not a system — it’s a story.
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Rumour Has It…
Trump’s tweet this morning: “Tariffs are dumb. Powell’s alright. Markets UP!” Dow gained 200 in 10 seconds.
CNBC now referring to 5400 as “The Enlightenment Zone.”
The Wolfe Wave was last seen howling into the wind and fading into the distance.
(This section is entirely made-up satire. Probably.)
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Fun Fact - The 5400 Flip
Here’s a kicker for you…
5400 has flipped bias more times than any other round number level in the SPX this year.
It's the psychological equivalent of a market mood swing.
And every time price hits it, traders start reaching for different narratives:
“It’s resistance.”
“Now it’s support.”
“No wait, it’s just a number.”
“Actually, it’s Fibonacci-magnet-retrograde!”
Sometimes it’s just this:
5400 = The Line Where We Flip.
Meme of the Day - “Wolfe’s Out. Bull’s In.”
IMAGES ON MAIN BLOG
Happy trading,
Phil
Less Brain, More Gain
…and may your trades be smoother than a cashmere codpiece
S&P500 Index Intraday Trend Analysis for April 22, 2025Intraday Trend is Bullish with Resistance1 @ 5410 and Resistance2 @ 5507. Market Timing tool is bullish for the day and other indicators are in the green. Overall the S&P500 Index intraday trend is Bullish.
This is my view but not a recommendation to buy or sell. Traders are advised to do their own technical study before entering into the trade with proper risk management.
[D] SPX - 22.4.2025 (Scenario 1 & 2)To complement the earlier publish idea, I'm hereby adding another scenario as I'd feel dissatisfied with several candles being displaced. Both tell the same story as I'm fundamentally remain bearish over a prolonged period of time. I expect the things to get moving as soon as mid May for a major move. This year's summer time might hit different.
[D] SPX - 22.4.2024I felt like I wanted to post something positive amid the madness, although I remain bearish on SPX and USD since the beginning of 2024 - as my past predictions suggest. So far, the greatest businessman and dealmaker, Donald Trump has successfully outperformed on the time line most of the expectations that I deemed possible in a real-world setting. If that continues to hold true, it is possible that hereby - somewhat optimistic - prediction will again lag behind the reality on the scale of days to a couple of weeks. What I was hoping for, was a much welcomed break during the summer and a full-blown downfall into a recession afterwards. I'm much afraid, things I expected in 2026 might arrive considerably sooner.