Good morning, traders…
You can’t throw darts blindfolded and expect to hit the bullseye.
This market is decimating traders who chase random setups without confirmation.
The VIX remains elevated. The intraday moves are deceptive. Clean trends are rare.
The average trader is wandering in the dark right now.
They’re trying to feel their way through a shadowy passageway without a flashlight.
I want to make sure you don’t end up like them.
Here’s how:
This environment demands selectivity.
Specific trades = terrific trades.
Generic watchlists get you generic results.
That’s why I’ve narrowed my watchlist down considerably this week.
To the 7 best Smart Money setups in the market…
Silver & Gold
iShares Silver Trust (NYSE: SLV)
After a historic run in 2025, metals pulled back to support, and now they’ve reversed back to the upside.
I like December $48 Calls. Ideally, I want a pullback to $46.75.
SPDR Gold Shares (NYSE: GLD)
I’m waiting for a breakout above $379.
Large open interest sits on $380 Calls expiring this Friday and $395 Calls further out.
I’m setting alerts around $378.80 and $377.
Applied Digital Corporation (NASDAQ: APLD)
Millions of dollars in Smart Money are flowing into APLD.
Plus, the chart held important support on the pullback.
For confirmation, I want a break over $25 to confirm the Stage 1 breakout.
I’m watching December 19 $28 Calls.
Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOGL)
GOOGL is a relative outperformer in a weak tape for tech.
It’s getting fire-spigot flow in the November 28 $290 Calls.
And the chart shows a potential cup and handle pattern forming.
Ideal levels: break above $290, or pullback to $287.50, or even $286.75.
Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META)
META is more of a fundamental setup.
The stock dropped on earnings due to a one-time tax write-off.
Without that charge, earnings would have been excellent.
META is back near the $600 psychological level.
The structure is tightening and building energy.
My plan: long above $600, targets at $610 and $615.
This move is more likely next week, but could happen earlier, depending on market strength.
Oracle Corporation (NYSE: ORCL)
A rare put setup for me…
This stock has dropped 40% from its highs with zero buying pressure. The Smart Money seems to think the downside will continue.
I’m seeing huge Smart Money flow in November 28 $200 Puts.
If price breaks $210.75 (the 200-day SMA), I expect capitulation.
The 1 Level That Matters Most
In a volatile market, it all comes down to the major indexes.
The Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ: QQQ) needs to reclaim one key level:
$600.
And look where it’s sitting at the time of writing … just 14 cents under that level.
QQQ will lead every other name in the market. If it can’t reclaim $600, we’re still in shaky territory.
But if it reclaims $600 and holds, that could be the beginning of a major trend reversal to the upside.
Either way, we don’t have our answer yet.
Stay patient. Build your watchlist. Set your alerts at the levels I outlined.
Forget reactive. Be selective.
How do you think I bagged these massive peak gains last month?
- +159% in 2 days on MRK*
- +49% in 1 day on GOOGL*
- +64% in 2 days on EOSE*
- +244% in 1 day on PYPL*
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. Not typical
