Good morning, traders…
We’re not out of the woods yet.
The choppy market continues…
The VIX didn’t break and close below 19.65 on Friday (the level I’ve been watching to confirm volatility is easing).
Without that close, we’re still in elevated territory. The put-call ratio has been trending up since October 10. That means traders are positioning short.
I’m sure you feel it. Setups that worked a month ago are failing. Seemingly clean breakouts are reversing. Pullbacks are pulling back further than expected.
An elevated VIX changes the game. You can’t trade the same way you would when conditions are calm.
But you can still find high-probability setups if (and only if) you’re ruthless about following Smart Money.
I’m strictly tracking names showing massive institutional flow on my OMEN Scanner.
I just saw over 32,000 contracts of open interest on one strike alone. Millions in premium on another.
The opportunities are out there. They’re just hiding better than usual.
When The Market Goes Red, Follow The Smart Money…
Applied Digital Corporation (NASDAQ: APLD)
APLD’s at the top of my list this week.
Why?
Friday showed huge flow on APLD $25 Calls.
Massive open interest: over 32,000 contracts on the $25 strike.
The downtrend ribbon turned green. The chart is holding the bottom of its zone. The key breakout level sits at $25.
I’m watching two possible entry structures for November 28 $25 Calls.:
- A pullback entry at $23.30 support.
- A breakout entry on a “four-times-a-lady” move over $25. I’d plan to enter on confirmation above that level.
Ultimately, the stock needs to break and stay above $25 for the setup to work.
SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE: GLD)
After a historic bull run throughout 2025, GLD dropped, went sideways, and now sits at key support.
My OMEN Scanner shows millions in premium on GLD November 21 $378 Calls and $377 Calls.
I’m watching the $377 Calls. I want to see a bounce off support and a reclaim of the resistance zone above.
Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOGL)
The catalyst? Warren Buffett bought a $4.9 billion stake, his first ever in the company.
I love $283.85 as support. Watching pullbacks to $283.85 and down to $282.
Contracts of interest: GOOGL November 21 $285 Calls and GOOGL November 21 $282.50 Calls.
Heavy premium flow on Friday came through on $282 and $285 Calls.
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.
Knowing Where To Look
You can find great setups in a choppy market…
You just have to know where to look.
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
