Tag Archives: Butterfly

Archive, Zoom Daily

Daily Meeting for Wednesday April 2

Posted on by Conor Browne

Executing Clean Setups Without Delay and Trusting Structure

• Missed entry on a clean A+ tech breakout, even after it played out exactly as mapped in pre-market.

• Hesitation traced back to “waiting for extra confirmation”, which wasn’t part of the original trade plan.

• Recommitment to first-touch execution, especially on setups identified during morning walkthroughs.

• Review of recent over-adjusting mid-trade, with traders pulling stops or skipping scaling due to noise.

• Emphasis on letting the play work, trusting structure over micromanaging price action.

• Accountability checkpoint set for Friday, with each trader reviewing how they handled their first A-tier signal of the day.

Summary

the team addressed a missed A+ breakout trade in the tech sector. Despite being clearly mapped during pre-market prep, hesitation set in due to an unnecessary desire for “extra confirmation.” Ernie pointed out that this habit contradicts the purpose of structured prep and leads to inaction on top-tier setups.

The group re-committed to first-touch execution, especially for A-tier setups already discussed in the morning walkthroughs. A secondary theme involved traders over-adjusting mid-trade—moving stops or scaling prematurely—leading to lost gains or broken plans.

Ernie emphasized the need to let the setup play out and trust the original plan unless clear invalidation occurs. To close, a Friday accountability checkpoint was scheduled, where each trader will review whether they executed on their first A-tier opportunity without delay or distortion.

Archive, Zoom Daily

Daily Meeting for Tuesday March 25

Posted on by Conor Browne

Fine-Tuning Execution Around Breakout Timing and Trade Selection

• Hesitation on early breakout in energy sector, with discussion on the importance of immediate action on pre-validated levels.

• ‘Big ass fly’ strategy adjusted again, refining focus toward early-session follow-through plays, especially in momentum tickers.

• Review of excessive filtering, where good trades were skipped due to too many confluence requirements being stacked.

• Reinforcement of letting winners run, with reminders to scale out slowly rather than cutting trades at the first sign of hesitation.

• Improved pre-market ranking system tested, where trades were labeled as A or B setups to guide intraday execution priority.

• Team challenge introduced to improve first-hour responsiveness across the board.

Summary

the team reflected on missed entries—particularly an early breakout in the energy sector that had been clearly identified during pre-market planning. Ernie emphasized the need for immediate execution once pre-defined levels are hit, especially in the first hour.

The ‘big ass fly’ strategy was updated again to focus on plays that offer strong early follow-through rather than waiting for confirmation that often arrives too late. Excessive filtering was also addressed, with several setups skipped due to an overly rigid checklist.

The session also included a reminder on managing winning trades—encouraging the team to scale out progressively instead of exiting completely on first signs of hesitation. A new pre-market ranking system was trialed, labeling A- and B-tier trades to prioritize execution more confidently. Ernie closed by launching a team-wide challenge to improve speed and decisiveness during the first hour of trading.

Archive, Zoom Daily

Daily Meeting for Friday June 21

Posted on by Conor Browne

Exploring Market Timing and Entry Strategies

• Contract Expirations: Discussion about the last day for trading the June contract for E mini S&P futures, emphasizing the transition to the September contract.

• Volume Profile Strategy: Ernie elaborates on using volume profile as a key strategy for determining entry points in trading, focusing on low volume nodes for potential trades.

• Butterfly Trade Execution: Discussion on the proper execution and removal of butterfly trades to manage risk, particularly concerning trades that inadvertently split into separate legs.

• Visual Trading Aids: Ernie plans to use markup tools to visually represent trading strategies and volume profiles during live sessions.

• Trading Platform Nuances: Conversation about the specifics of executing and managing trades on different trading platforms, highlighting the importance of understanding platform functionalities.

• Learning from Mistakes: Emphasis on the importance of logging and learning from trading mistakes to improve strategy and decision-making processes.

Summary

In this meeting, Ernie focused on the technical aspects of trading as the June futures contract expired, requiring a switch to the September contract. He provided a detailed explanation on using volume profiles to inform trading decisions, particularly emphasizing the strategic placement of trades around low volume nodes for optimal risk-reward outcomes. The session also covered platform-specific issues related to the display and management of butterfly trades, providing practical advice on how to handle trades that appear as separate legs. Additionally, Ernie used a real-time example to demonstrate how to identify and utilize significant market levels determined by volume analysis, enhancing the traders’ ability to make informed decisions based on structural market insights.

Archive, Zoom Daily

Daily Meeting for Wednesday March 6

Posted on by Conor Browne

Navigating Low Volatility Markets: Insights and Strategies

• Discussion on adjusting trading strategies due to the current low volatility market conditions, focusing on managing expectations and risks.

• Experiences shared on negotiating lower commissions with brokers to enhance trading profitability.

• Insights into the impact of the Federal Reserve’s messaging on market movements and trader responses to Jerome Powell’s speeches.

• Strategies for utilizing wide and far out-of-the-money butterflies to maintain high risk-reward ratios while adapting to market conditions.

• Exploration of Thinkorswim’s charting features for analyzing past trades and planning future strategies.

• Emphasis on the importance of managing small losses and positioning for potential opportunities in uncertain markets.

Summary

The daily meeting on March 6th focused on sharing experiences and strategies for navigating the current low volatility market conditions. Participants discussed the importance of adjusting expectations and trading strategies to manage risks effectively. Insights were shared on the impact of Federal Reserve messaging on market movements, emphasizing the need for traders to interpret these signals accurately. The discussion also covered practical aspects of trading, including negotiating lower commissions with brokers and utilizing Thinkorswim’s charting features to analyze past trades and plan future strategies. Strategies for utilizing wide and far out-of-the-money butterflies were highlighted as a way to maintain high risk-reward ratios while adapting to market conditions. The meeting underscored the significance of managing small losses and being ready to capitalize on potential opportunities, emphasizing a cautious and strategic approach to trading in uncertain markets.

Archive, Zoom Daily

Daily Meeting for Friday February 23

Posted on by Conor Browne

Volatility and Strategy Insights

• Volume Profile Analysis: Discussion on leveraging volume profile for market memory and trading decisions, focusing on how historical volume impacts current trading strategies.

• Butterfly Trade Execution: Practical demonstration of placing a butterfly trade on SPX, including risk to reward calculations and strategic considerations in low volatility.

• Market Behavior and Fed Guidance: Insights into the market’s paradoxical reactions to Federal Reserve’s signals and the complexity of predicting market movements.

• AI and Trading Tools Development: Updates on the development of AI tools and applications designed to enhance trading strategies and decision-making processes.

• Risk Management: Emphasis on managing risk through strategic trade sizing, especially in the context of low market volatility and unpredictable market movements.

• Interactive Q&A: Addressing member questions on topics ranging from volume profile usage, trade adjustments in response to market conditions, to the practical aspects of using trading platforms like Thinkorswim.

Summary

This daily meeting provided comprehensive insights into navigating the current market volatility, with a focus on utilizing volume profile analysis and executing butterfly trades as part of a broader risk management strategy. The discussion also ventured into the challenges of interpreting Federal Reserve signals and the market’s unpredictable reactions. Ernie, leading the session, demonstrated the practical aspects of placing trades, underscored the importance of risk management in low volatility environments, and provided updates on the development of AI tools aimed at refining trading strategies. The meeting facilitated an interactive exchange of questions and answers, offering participants clarity on applying the discussed strategies and tools in real-time trading scenarios. Overall, the session underscored the importance of strategic flexibility and the continuous adaptation of trading approaches to manage risk and capitalize on market opportunities.

Archive, Zoom Daily

Daily Meeting for Wednesday February 22

Posted on by Conor Browne

Navigating Low Volatility in Options Trading

• AI Tool for Zero DTE Service: Discussion on the AI training for the Zero DTE service, emphasizing the importance of submitting questions for better training outcomes.

• Maintaining Presence in the Market: The significance of staying engaged in the market for catching significant opportunities, despite the challenges of low volatility periods.

• Acceptance of Market Realities: Emphasis on accepting the inherent realities of trading, including the unpredictable nature of market movements and the importance of patience.

• Strategic Adjustments for Low Volatility: Strategies for trading in a low volatility environment, including taking smaller risks and waiting for the right opportunities to present themselves.

• Use of Butterflies in Volatile Stocks: Discussion on using butterflies for stocks like Tesla, leveraging their volatility for potential gains with minimal risk.

• Consistency and Experience in Trading: Reflections on the importance of consistency in trading strategy and the value of experience and knowledge in navigating the markets effectively.

Summary

This daily meeting focused on a variety of topics relevant to options traders navigating the current low volatility market. The development and training of an AI tool for the Zero DTE service was highlighted, with a call for participants to contribute questions to enhance the tool’s effectiveness. The discussion underscored the importance of staying active in the market to capitalize on significant trading opportunities, despite the challenges posed by periods of low volatility. Acceptance of market realities and strategic adjustments, such as taking smaller risks and being patient for the right opportunities, were emphasized as key to successful trading.

Participants also discussed specific strategies for trading volatile stocks like Tesla using butterflies to minimize risk while capturing potential gains. The conversation touched on the importance of consistency in trading approaches and the valuable role of experience and knowledge in making informed decisions. The meeting underscored the critical nature of understanding and adapting to market dynamics, leveraging strategic insights, and maintaining a disciplined approach to trading in various market conditions.

Archive, Zoom Daily

Daily Meeting for Tuesday January 23

Posted on by Conor Browne

Navigating Low Volatility Markets and Exploring Different Trading Strategies

• Discussion on Adding to Butterfly Trades: The meeting opened with a focus on the criteria for adding to butterfly trades, emphasizing the importance of maintaining risk-reward ratios and adhering to maximum position sizes.

• Market Volatility Observations: Ernie noted the challenges of trading in a low volatility environment, suggesting small and narrow trades as a strategy, while also acknowledging the unpredictability of market moves.

• Influence of Economic and Geopolitical Factors: The conversation shifted to the impacts of economic news and geopolitical events on market volatility, highlighting the complexities of predicting market movements.

• Comparison of Trading Platforms and Indices: There was a discussion about the differences in trading on various platforms like SPX and NDX, focusing on aspects like liquidity, volatility, and trade size.

• Use of Technical Indicators: The use of Hull Moving Average and Kaufman’s Adaptive Moving Average for trend prediction was debated, with a conclusion that consistent execution of a basic strategy is more crucial than the indicators used.

• Reflection on Market Behavior and Strategy Execution: The session concluded with reflections on the current market behavior, emphasizing the importance of adapting trading strategies to the market’s volatility regime and not overthinking trade executions.

Summary

Ernie led a comprehensive discussion on various aspects of trading, particularly in the context of a low volatility market. The conversation covered strategies for adding to butterfly trades, maintaining risk-reward balance, and the importance of not exceeding maximum position sizes. Ernie stressed the need for adaptability in trading strategies based on the market’s volatility regime and cautioned against over-reliance on technical indicators for trend prediction, suggesting that consistent strategy execution is key. The discussion also touched on the effects of economic and geopolitical factors on market volatility, as well as the nuances of trading on different platforms like SPX and NDX. Ernie encouraged a focus on the process and structure of the trading approach, emphasizing the role of discipline and consistency in successful trading. The session ended with reflections on the day’s market movements and a reminder about the importance of strategy adaptation to current market conditions.

Archive, Zoom Daily

Daily Meeting for Thursday November 2

Posted on by ernie

Mastering Volatility: Adapting Strategies for Consistent Trading Success

• Adjusting trade strategies with a focus on butterfly widths in relation to current market volatility.

• The significance of consistency in trading methods and the role of process obsession in achieving success.

• Exploration of different volatility regimes and their impact on trade profitability and exposure.

• The relationship between butterfly widths, volatility, and the timing of trade placements.

• Insight into the limitations of backtesting and the preference for real trading experience over simulations.

• Continuous learning and adaptation in trading through daily experimentation and process refinement.

Summary

In the detailed discussion, Coach Ernie focuses on adapting trading strategies to market volatility, specifically regarding butterfly trade widths. He emphasizes the importance of consistency and process over simply aiming for high returns. Traders are encouraged to experiment and adapt to volatility shifts, using a range of contract sizes and assets to manage exposure effectively.

Ernie also critiques backtesting’s limitations, promoting real-time trading experience as the most reliable method for strategy refinement. The agile process is championed as a means for continuous improvement, with each trading day serving as a live experiment. Drawing analogies from fishing and pool, he illustrates the value of technique and process mastery in trading, recommending a six-month timeframe for developing a solid trading process for consistent results.