Good morning, traders…
There’s no sugarcoating it.
We’re in a difficult trading environment.
The VIX is sitting above 21. Market internals look weak. And the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE: SPY) has been mired in chop since October 10.
Multiple pops and drops with no clear trend or direction.
Meanwhile, the probability of a Fed rate cut at the next meeting has dropped from 90% to 43% in a matter of days. A rapid, massive repricing.
When expectations shift that dramatically, volatility spikes and clean trends evaporate.
This kind of chop destroys traders who lack a plan.
But it actually creates opportunity when you wait for specific triggers.
In times like this, I get even more ruthless about only trading setups with huge Smart Money volume.
They’re like an older brother who has your back on a particularly brutal playground.
Right now, 4 names are showing clear technical levels with aggressive institutional flow. And I’m waiting for the charts to confirm specific triggers before entering.
I’m tracking specific bounce points, the exact options contracts, and the confirmation signals that tell me when to pull the trigger (versus when to stay patient).
This approach works in elevated VIX environments because you’re responding technically instead of reacting emotionally.
These Are My Favorite Choppy Market Setups…
Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOGL)
GOOGL’s my top focus name of the week.
Why?
It’s one of the strongest tech charts. An absolute beauty…
Even better, Warren Buffett just announced a $4.9 billion stake (his first-ever investment in the company).
I’m watching $283.50 for a bounce. If GOOGL holds that level, I like November 21 $285 Calls, November 21 $290 Calls, and November 21 $295 Calls.
I’ll also watch for pullbacks around $286.50, $290, and VWAP.
Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA)
Yesterday morning, I was watching the $400 level like a hawk.
It’s a big round number, a key psychological level.
I knew if TSLA broke through it, that could be an “envy candle,” leading to FOMO buying.
Sure enough, TSLA broke $400.
I immediately entered the December 5 $420 Calls:
They blasted off immediately.
Less than 40 minutes later, I had already scaled out my first batch of gains:
This trade worked because:
- The calls had huge Smart Money volume.
- The chart confirmed strength on the $400 breakout.
I’m still holding the rest of my contracts.
NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA)
The most valuable company in the world is back in major focus as “AI bubble” rumors swirl.
The company reports earnings TOMORROW after the bell — a huge test for the entire tech sector.
The chart looks identical to SPY: pop, sideways, drop, pop, chop.
There’s clear support around $180, where I bought on Friday.
Plus, big Smart Money flow coming in on NVDA $190 Calls.
Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ: QQQ)
I see a double/triple bottom forming on QQQ.
If it reclaims $609, I like a move back to $613.
I’m watching November 21 $610 Calls above $609.
How I’m Staying Green in a Sea of Red
I love these setups because they have clear entry points, Smart Money support, defined risk, and specific confirmation levels.
Wait for the market to prove the setup before entering. Let the price action confirm the levels.
How do you think I bagged recent gains like:
- +159% in 2 days on MRK*
- +49% in 1 day on GOOGL*
- +64% in 2 days on EOSE*
- +244% in 1 day on PYPL*
Knowing when to enter is step one.
But position sizing, scaling out, and protecting gains are just as crucial.
We’re about to cover all of this (and more) in my 2-Day Simpler Options Bootcamp…
Happy trading,
Ben Sturgill
*Past performance does not indicate future results
