S&P500 - Week 35 Recap and Takeaways This week was full of twists and surprises in the stock market. We managed to execute three trades, all of which ended in profit, but there were some key lessons to carry forward into next week. Let's dive into the rollercoaster that was Week 35.
1. The Bulls Lost the Fight for a Breakout
Our initial Plan A was geared toward a bullish breakout above the blue resistance level, with hopes of reaching a new all-time high (ATH). However, the market had other plans. As soon as the index dipped below the VWAPs with strong volume, our Plan B automatically kicked in.
2. Trade 1 - Initiating Plan B
As we outlined last weekend, our backup plan was to look for a 4-star bearish setup between the key zones (blue and green). The idea was to enter a short trade if the RVOL was greater than 3 and the market dipped below VWAP1 and VWAP2, provided the risk/reward (R/R) ratio was in our favor at a minimum of 1.7. This setup unfolded perfectly on Monday. We entered the trade, but as the price paused at an R/R ratio of 1.5, we decided to take 50% off the table, move our SL to the entry level, and let the market decide the rest. Although we aimed for a TP2 at an R/R ratio of 2.5, the price didn't drop that low and started a comeback later in the day. When the intraday downtrend broke near the end of the session, we closed Trade 1, netting a realized R/R ratio (r) of 0.885. Given the shaky conditions, we were happy to walk away with clear signals and a modest profit.
3. Understanding R/R Ratio(e) vs. R/R Ratio(r)
Both estimated (e) and realized (r) R/R ratios are crucial in trading. Success in trading isn't just about estimating potential gains but also about tracking what you actually realize. This distinction is vital, especially during back-testing, as it separates profitable traders from those who break even or worse.
4. Trade 2 - The Day Before NVIDIA’s Quarterly Report
On Wednesday, NVIDIA released its quarterly report after the NY exchange closed, and the results fell short of market expectations. The day started below VWAP with high RVOL, which matched our criteria for another short trade. We again set our TP in two stages—TP1 at an R/R ratio of 1.5 and TP2 at 2.5, as the market confirmed a new intraday downtrend. This trade played out perfectly, with both the estimated and realized R/R ratios matching.
Some might wonder why we closed the trade even with strong momentum. The answer lies in the green long-term bullish trend line. We placed our final TP just above this line, anticipating support in that area, which is exactly what happened. The market bounced back just before the end of the day, and we closed out the trade before NVIDIA’s report was released. The risk of holding on for more was simply too high.
5. Trade 3 - The Day After NVIDIA
After NVIDIA’s report, the S&P 500 dipped below the long-term trend line during the Asian session, but by the time the London session began, the price was fighting back. With RVOL greater than 3 and the index reclaiming VWAP1 and VWAP2, we entered another short trade with an estimated R/R ratio greater than 1.7. This trade also hit both of our TPs, and we exited just as the market approached the blue resistance zone.
6. Were There More Setups This Week
As we reviewed the week, we found that no additional trades aligned with our strategy. On Tuesday, the market bounced back from VWAP with high RVOL but didn’t offer a favorable R/R ratio. On Thursday, RVOL was below 3 during a potential setup, and on Friday, despite strong RVOL, the R/R ratio was again too low. Later on Friday, the market surged, but low RVOL kept us on the sidelines.
Conclusion
The key takeaway from this week is the importance of patience and discipline. It’s crucial to sit on your hands when not all your rules are checked. Even if the trade you didn’t take would have worked out, letting your ego guide your trading decisions can be a trap. Your ego might remember that one missed opportunity and push you to take the next trade without all your criteria being met, but that’s a recipe for disaster.
Sticking to your trading rules is like maintaining trust in a relationship. Ignoring your rules is akin to cheating; it might be thrilling at first, but it will eventually lead to more pain than gain. So, stay calm, trust your process, and let the market create the trade for you, not the other way around.
We hope this update adds real value as you continue to navigate the markets this week. Stay disciplined, patient, and focused on making smart, strategic trades!
Can’t Get Enough? Don’t Miss Out!
Subscribe to stay updated on all our latest trading ideas and strategies. Share your thoughts in the comments, and let’s build a community of traders who are committed to learning, growing, and succeeding together. Your journey to market mastery is just beginning, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way!
What You’ll Learn:
- In-depth market analysis
- Proven trading setups
- Effective risk management techniques
- The importance of discipline in trading
- How to adapt to changing market conditions
- And much more!...
Best wishes,
TradingMasteryHub
