Tag Archives: Risk Reduction

Archive, Zoom Daily

Daily Meeting for Monday April 14

Posted on by Conor Browne

Reconnecting Prep to Execution and Cutting the Delay Loop

• Missed first-hour setup in tech, even though it matched all pre-market criteria and triggered cleanly.

• Team flagged over-checking second indicators, which delayed entries on otherwise confirmed setups.

• Ernie reframed hesitation as a trust issue, not a technical one—the plan was right, the follow-through wasn’t.

• First-touch starter entry reinforced, especially on A-tier setups where speed outweighs perfect sizing.

• Post-trade reviews showed strongest outcomes from early, decisive entries, not over-filtered trades.

• Challenge for Tuesday: execute the first A-tier setup exactly as prepped—no confirmation stacking, no edits, just entry.

Summary

the team unpacked a key miss on a textbook first-hour tech setup. Despite nailing the pre-market planning, most of the team held back at the moment of trigger—citing a desire for “one more confirmation” before entering. Ernie emphasized that this isn’t a technical issue—it’s a trust issue. When the prep is solid and the level hits, the execution must follow.

The discussion also returned to the concept of first-touch starter entries. Waiting for more information often means missing the opportunity entirely, while early entries (even small) create control, positioning, and composure.

Post-trade reviews clearly showed that the best trades of the week came from clean, decisive execution—not trades that were over-filtered or delayed. Ernie closed the session with a challenge for Tuesday: when the first A-tier setup triggers, execute it exactly as planned. No edits. No stacking confirmations. Just take the trade.

Archive, Zoom Daily

Daily Meeting for Tuesday April 8

Posted on by Conor Browne

Breaking the Hesitation Loop and Re-Training Entry Precision

• Clean A-tier setup in healthcare was skipped, despite pre-market levels being hit almost exactly.

• Over-analysis at execution point was flagged again—team hesitated waiting for confirmation that wasn’t required.

• Ernie reframed the “risk” as actually the safer choice, because skipping aligned setups leads to inconsistent, lower-quality trades later.

• Reinforcement of “starter size first” protocol, encouraging immediate entry to reduce emotional delay.

• Review of strong mid-morning reversal, where several traders chased entries too late, leading to poor average fills.

• Wednesday challenge reset: everyone must execute the first clean A-tier setup on first trigger—starter size, no delay.

Summary

the team reviewed another missed early-session opportunity—this time in a healthcare name that triggered almost exactly at the pre-marked level. The recurring theme of hesitation returned, with traders waiting for “extra” confirmation not required by the setup criteria.

Ernie pointed out that the perceived safety in waiting is actually more dangerous—because it causes missed clean setups and often leads to chasing lower-quality trades later in the day. He encouraged everyone to shift that mindset: taking the pre-planned setup is actually the safer and more consistent move.

The team recommitted to using starter size immediately on clean triggers as a way to bypass emotional hesitation and stay aligned with the plan. A breakdown of a strong mid-morning reversal showed how delayed entries created poor average fills and reduced edge.

To close, Ernie reissued the team challenge: everyone must execute the first clean A-tier setup on first trigger tomorrow—starter size, no edits, no hesitation.

Archive, Retrospective

Sunday Retrospective for March 23

Posted on by Conor Browne

Tightening Execution and Reinforcing Sector Focus

• Consistent hesitation on early-session breakouts, particularly in the tech sector, resulting in missed entries despite clear signals.

• Refinement of stop-loss strategies, implementing ATR-based dynamic stops to better manage risk during increased volatility.

• Review of profit-taking discipline, with several trades closed prematurely, cutting short potential gains on confirmed trends.

• Shift in focus toward small-cap healthcare stocks, after mid-week data showed increased institutional buying and volume surges.

• Emphasis on avoiding overtrading during midday sessions, where choppy price action led to a lower win rate and increased risk exposure.

• Commitment to pre-market preparation, ensuring readiness for fast-moving opportunities and reducing hesitation at open.

Summary

the team reviewed execution across the previous week, focusing on consistent hesitation during early-session breakouts, particularly within tech names. Ernie stressed the importance of pre-market preparation and being ready to act decisively when trade signals align.

Refinements were made to the team’s stop-loss strategy, moving to ATR-based dynamic stops to better accommodate market volatility and reduce unnecessary stop-outs. There was also a review of profit-taking, with an acknowledgment that some trades were closed too early, sacrificing additional upside on solid trends.

The team shifted sector focus toward small-cap healthcare stocks, following data showing increased institutional participation and volume spikes. Ernie emphasized the need to avoid overtrading during midday chop and reinforced the value of maintaining patience until high-probability setups emerge.

The session concluded with a renewed commitment to structured pre-market routines, ensuring the team is ready to capitalize on key opportunities without hesitation.

Archive, Zoom Daily

Daily Meeting for Wednesday March 12

Posted on by Conor Browne

Refining Trade Precision and Reacting to Midweek Market Shifts

• Late reaction to early energy sector strength, with missed opportunities on initial breakouts due to slow execution.

• Focus on adapting the ‘big ass fly’ strategy to capture short bursts of momentum instead of waiting for trend continuation.

• Reevaluation of stop placement, after two trades were stopped out prematurely by minor pullbacks before resuming the trend.

• Adjustment in watchlist prioritization, emphasizing small-cap tech stocks showing relative strength during mid-morning rotation.

• Reinforcement of taking partial profits early, especially in choppy conditions where full moves didn’t materialize as expected.

• Discussion on maintaining execution discipline, avoiding revenge trades after early losses and sticking to planned setups.

Summary

the team focused on execution timing issues, particularly regarding missed trades in the energy sector due to delayed reactions to early breakout signals. Ernie emphasized the need to adapt the ‘big ass fly’ strategy to favor quicker profit targets by capitalizing on short bursts of momentum rather than waiting for extended trends.

There was a reevaluation of stop placement techniques after a couple of trades were closed prematurely, only for the setups to recover and play out as expected. The team also discussed improving watchlist prioritization, shifting more focus toward small-cap tech names that demonstrated relative strength during sector rotation.

Partial profit-taking strategies were reinforced, especially in choppy markets where full position holds became less effective. Ernie concluded the session with a reminder to maintain execution discipline, avoiding emotional trading and focusing on high-probability, pre-planned setups.

Archive, Zoom Daily

Daily Meeting for Thursday February 27

Posted on by Conor Browne

Strategic Adjustments for Volatile Market Conditions

• Reacting to Unstable Price Movements: Discussion on how unpredictable intraday swings affected trade execution and strategy adjustments.

• Refining the ‘big ass fly’ strategy: Modifications aimed at enhancing performance in rapidly shifting market conditions.

• Strengthening Trade Confirmation Criteria: Emphasis on combining multiple indicators to reduce false signals and improve entry precision.

• Risk Management in High-Volatility Environments: Adjustments to stop-loss placements to better handle sudden reversals.

• Sector-Specific Insights: Analysis of increased volatility in financials and tech, with a focus on potential breakout opportunities.

• Maintaining Emotional Discipline: Reinforcement of structured trading plans and avoiding overreaction to market fluctuations.

Summary

the team discussed the impact of unstable price movements on recent trades and how to adapt execution strategies accordingly. Ernie led a session on refining the ‘big ass fly’ strategy to enhance its effectiveness in fast-moving market conditions.

A key focus was placed on strengthening trade confirmation criteria, with an emphasis on using multiple indicators to improve entry precision and reduce false signals. Risk management strategies were also reviewed, with stop-loss adjustments introduced to better manage sudden market reversals.

Sector analysis highlighted notable volatility in financials and tech, presenting potential breakout opportunities for upcoming trades. Ernie concluded the meeting by reinforcing the importance of emotional discipline, urging traders to stick to structured trading plans and avoid overreacting to short-term price swings.

Archive, Zoom Daily

Daily Meeting for Friday February 21

Posted on by Conor Browne

Refining Execution Strategies for End-of-Week Volatility

• Impact of Late-Week Volatility: Analysis of sharp intraday swings and their effect on existing trade setups.

• Refinements to the ‘big ass fly’ strategy: Adjustments to improve adaptability in rapidly shifting market conditions.

• Utilizing Key Support and Resistance Levels: Emphasis on identifying breakout and breakdown zones for optimized entries.

• Risk Management During Trend Reversals: Strategies for tightening stops and scaling out of positions during market shifts.

• Sector-Specific Opportunities: Focus on financials and tech, where increased volume signaled potential high-probability trades.

• Staying Disciplined Through Market Noise: Encouragement to avoid overtrading and focus on well-validated setups.

Summary

the team analyzed the challenges posed by late-week volatility and its impact on trade setups. Ernie emphasized refining the ‘big ass fly’ strategy to improve its adaptability to quick market reversals and intraday swings.

The discussion focused on the importance of recognizing key support and resistance levels to optimize trade entries and exits. Risk management strategies were reviewed, particularly the use of tighter stops and partial exits during trend reversals to safeguard profits.

Sector-specific analysis highlighted financials and tech as primary focus areas, where higher trading volumes indicated strong market interest. Ernie concluded by reinforcing the importance of staying disciplined, avoiding overtrading, and maintaining a focus on well-validated setups despite increased market noise.

Archive, Retrospective

Sunday Retrospective for January 17

Posted on by Conor Browne

Adapting Strategies for Volatility and Improved Risk Control

• Review of High-Volatility Sessions: Analysis of market fluctuations that impacted trade consistency and execution.

• Refinements to the ‘big ass fly’ strategy: Focus on improving adaptability in rapidly changing market conditions.

• Lessons from Missed Opportunities: Examination of trades affected by delayed entries and strategies to improve reaction time.

• Risk Management Adjustments: Discussion on optimal stop-loss placements and scaling techniques to mitigate losses.

• Sector-Specific Insights: Identification of strong momentum in energy and financial sectors and how to leverage these trends.

• Goals for the Upcoming Week: Prioritizing trade discipline, focusing on confirmed setups, and refining technical analysis strategies.

Summary

the team reviewed challenges faced during periods of heightened market volatility and how it affected trade outcomes. Ernie led an evaluation of the ‘big ass fly’ strategy, suggesting refinements to enhance its adaptability to unpredictable price swings.

A key topic was missed trading opportunities caused by delayed entries, with a focus on improving reaction times and decision-making processes. Risk management strategies were revisited, emphasizing proper stop-loss placement and scaling techniques to manage risk exposure.

Sector-specific analysis highlighted strong momentum in the energy and financial markets, presenting potential opportunities for upcoming trades. Ernie concluded by setting clear goals for the week ahead—prioritizing disciplined execution, focusing on confirmed setups, and fine-tuning technical analysis to align with current market dynamics.

Archive, Zoom Daily

Daily Meeting for Wednesday February 12

Posted on by Conor Browne

Managing Unpredictable Market Moves

• Impact of Market Choppiness: Discussion on dealing with inconsistent price action and adjusting trade expectations accordingly.

• Refining the ‘big ass fly’ strategy: Adjustments to account for unpredictable momentum shifts and sideways market conditions.

• Strengthening Entry Confirmation: Emphasis on using multiple confluence factors to validate trade setups before execution.

• Risk Management Adjustments: Review of stop-loss strategies to avoid unnecessary early exits while maintaining controlled exposure.

• Sector Analysis and Emerging Trends: Identifying key movements in financials and tech, with insights into potential setups.

• Maintaining a Disciplined Approach: Reinforcement of structured trading habits and the importance of avoiding reactionary trades.

Summary

the team discussed the challenges posed by choppy market conditions, which created inconsistencies in trade execution. Ernie emphasized necessary refinements to the ‘big ass fly’ strategy to better handle unpredictable momentum shifts and adapt to sideways price action.

The importance of strengthening entry confirmation was highlighted, with a focus on using multiple confluence factors before executing trades. Risk management strategies were also reviewed, particularly adjustments to stop-loss placements to prevent premature exits without increasing exposure unnecessarily.

The session included a sector analysis, with discussions on emerging trends in financials and tech, identifying potential trading opportunities. Ernie concluded by reinforcing the need for structured and disciplined trading habits, reminding the team to avoid reactionary trades and stay focused on well-defined setups.

Archive, Zoom Daily

Daily Meeting for Monday January 27

Posted on by Conor Browne

Execution Precision for Market Trends

• Analysis of recent energy sector trends influenced by geopolitical developments and their trading implications.

• Refinements to the “big ass fly” strategy to address challenges in capturing mid-session momentum shifts.

• Emphasis on utilizing RSI and MACD indicators for improved timing of entry and exit points.

• Review of a high-performing trade in tech markets, with lessons on execution and scaling techniques.

• Discussion on risk mitigation through smaller position sizes during periods of inconsistent liquidity.

• Encouragement to focus on high-probability setups aligned with broader market trends.

Summary

the team analyzed recent trends in the energy sector, driven by ongoing geopolitical developments, and discussed their implications for trading strategies. Ernie led a session on refining the “big ass fly” strategy to better capture mid-session momentum shifts and adapt to changing market dynamics.

The importance of leveraging RSI and MACD indicators for enhanced entry and exit timing was highlighted, providing tools for more precise execution. A high-performing trade in tech markets was reviewed, with key takeaways on effective execution and scaling strategies.

Risk mitigation practices were discussed, emphasizing the need for smaller position sizes during periods of inconsistent liquidity to safeguard capital. Ernie concluded by encouraging the team to focus on high-probability setups that align with broader market trends, maintaining discipline and adaptability in their trading approach.

Archive, Zoom Daily

Daily Meeting for Friday January 24

Posted on by Conor Browne

Refining Strategies for Sector Volatility and Midday Market Trends

• Discussion on heightened midday volatility in financial and healthcare sectors and its trading implications.

• Refinements to the “big ass fly” strategy, focusing on adapting to sudden sector momentum shifts.

• Emphasis on the application of VWAP (Volume Weighted Average Price) for timing intraday entries in volatile markets.

• Review of a high-risk trade that achieved significant gains, with an analysis of its success factors.

• Highlighted a missed setup in energy markets due to delayed decision-making, proposing faster evaluation methods.

• Encouraged careful monitoring of economic reports impacting currency correlations with equities.

Summary

the team analyzed the impact of midday volatility, particularly in the financial and healthcare sectors, and explored its implications for active trades. Ernie guided refinements to the “big ass fly” strategy to better adapt to abrupt momentum shifts within specific sectors.

The session emphasized using VWAP as a tool for timing intraday entries during volatile trading conditions. A successful high-risk trade was reviewed, with a focus on replicating the key factors that led to its outcome. Conversely, a missed setup in the energy sector highlighted the need for faster evaluation processes to seize time-sensitive opportunities.

Economic reports affecting currency correlations with equities were flagged for close monitoring to anticipate broader market impacts. Ernie concluded by encouraging disciplined execution and strategic focus on leveraging sector-specific trends effectively.