Shutdown Lifted — Now What?
by Tony Rago
With the shutdown officially over, the big question is whether buyers can turn that headline into real follow-through. Overnight markets couldn’t push to new highs and have since slipped back toward 25,500 on NQ and 6,850 on ES — two spots that have been key reference levels all week. That hesitation tells you sentiment is optimistic, but not euphoric; traders want confirmation, not just headlines. I’ll let the market open and see where the early ranges form before deciding if this turns into a trend day or just more two-sided chop.
The plan here is simple: stay patient and let price declare direction. Big news doesn’t always mean big movement, and chasing the first impulse often leads to getting clipped. If we catch a clean directional push, great — if not, we sit tight and wait for setups with structure behind them. Be ready for anything and keep the discipline tight.
👉 Full breakdown is inside today’s Pre-Market Playbook. Check it out here and trade it smart.

