I Always Use This Pattern to Catch Trends
Markets are noisy. Most traders lose not because they lack intelligence, but because they get caught up in the chatter - economic forecasts, financial headlines, analyst upgrades, Fed whispers. But if you strip all that away and just read the chart, there’s one pattern that cuts through the noise every time: the two-candle trend.…
Don’t Trust the Rally: Why Tech’s Real and Discretionary’s a Mirage
Today’s price action looks bullish on the surface - consumer discretionary and tech are both up big. But don’t take that at face value. That’s because I think today’s rally may be more illusion than confirmation. Like I said, consumer discretionaries, (as tracked by XLY) are ripping, but take a closer look and you find…
Risk Is the Real Retirement Killer—Use Options to Control It
If you’re trading your retirement portfolio, let me give it to you straight: the biggest threat isn’t missing out on a hot stock—it’s taking on more risk than you realize. At this stage, it’s not about maximizing return. It’s about preserving the engine that keeps your income running. That’s why every strategy I use, and…
Let’s Tap the Momentum in Industrials and the Value in Utilities
Today, we’re digging into two themes in two key sectors: the continued strength in industrials and an early-stage setup in utilities that’s just too compelling to ignore. Industrials are building on bullish momentum, supported by surprisingly strong U.S. manufacturing and services PMI numbers. That strength is showing up in names like Caterpillar and Honeywell, each…
When the Smartest Move Is Not to Play
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the market doesn’t owe you a trade. Right now, we’re in one of those stretches where the smartest move isn’t getting aggressive, it’s sitting tight and letting the picture come into focus. That’s not passivity. That’s discipline. And it’s doubly important for retirement traders and investors.…
Why the Market’s Stuck (and Why That Won’t Last)
If you’ve been watching the market, particularly volatility and thinking, “Is this thing broken?” you’re not wrong. In April, Trump’s tariffs pushed the VIX top 60 during a flat-out market rout, but just a few weeks later… we’re seeing some of the lowest volatility we’ve had all year. It’s like the market’s stuck in mud.…
Not So Fast - Why I’m Still Cautious Despite Market Optimism
The market’s flashing signs of life, and it has been for a few sessions now, but I’m not pushing all my chips in just yet. Yes, the S&P 500 gave us a Bollinger band breakout, and sectors like industrials and financials are leading the charge. Financials, as tracked by the Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF…
This Weekly Watchlist Is the Best of Slim Pickings
This Weekly Watchlist Is the Best of Slim Pickings With all the volatility and relentless selloffs, it’s a little surprising not to see more aggressive trade signals right now. Scanning over 2,000 stocks using my methodology, only eight candidates meet the criteria - and not all are worth pursuing. That says a lot about today's…
Why Every Retirement Saver in America Should Use “Monkey Bars”
Why Every Retirement Saver in America Should Use “Monkey Bars” By Blake Young We need to have a grown-up conversation about something that only sounds childish. They’re called Monkey Bars and you, especially retirement savers, should get familiar. Now, sure, Monkey Bars might sound like something for kids at recess. But trust me: in trading,…
Why Big Tech Names Are Defying Market Gravity
Remember that old line about how the markets “can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent?” Well, here we are, and while savvy traders like us don’t have to worry about staying in the green, the market still feels like a puzzle where none of the pieces fit quite right. Economic signals are flashing…