Volatility Ahead? Why Next Week Could Be Crucial for Traders!

2025 is flying and we are now nearng the end of earnings season and February. Markets remain headline driven-so paying attention to the technicals and remaining disciplined is tantamount. Shortened trading weeks force more data and catalysts into a smaller period-so please ensure you’re cognizant of your positions, exposure and are using risk management. The volatility theme is ever-present and we will continue to capitalize & risk manage around the opportunities the market provides us. 

AJ’s weekly commentary for 21-Feb-25:

Our members will most likely pick up on the Weekly Market Report that I put out every Friday after the close, but I want to make sure you keep an eye on the VIX next week. There is a good chance we will see a spike in volatility in the coming days, which is bearish for the SPX. Most of the trades I’ve been putting out for the Equity Traders have been on the long side, but I will be hard pressed to find good long positions without going with inversely related ETFs. I can’t think of a better time to be focused on risk management. I created the 1% Rule for Managing Risk to limit loss on the downside…Please use it. – AJ Monte CMT

P.S. Don’t forget to catch AJ’s weekly content on ZeroHedge

AJ’s Midweek market report  focused on keeping a watchful eye on gold and silver.  For this week’s AJ’s Weekly Market Report, AJ covers the downside targets we’ve been hitting late this week and reiterates the importance of taking profits & utilizing risk management. Make sure to catch this GREAT weekly piece from AJ. 

Our Matrix members  had a tremendous week with a bullish position going into First Majestic Silver’s ($AG) earnings. Likewise, a BEARISH position, early in the week, in Robinhood, $HOOD, saw our members capitalize on significant weakness in a short amount of time. The new bearish position in $BABA has some time on it’s side, but is looking great. 

The SuperSpread members continue to be active, rolling the short side of the inverted diagonal calendar call spread in Boeing ($BA). We rolled the short side of $SCHW out to March whilst selling OTM call spreads in $MSTR for a $1.15 credit. 

Our RapidFire members had another great session where AJ fielded and forecasted 50+ names in 1 hour, all whilst taking the time to give some added TA and possible options opportunities. 

Last recap, we mentioned the soon-to-debut Andrew Falde service, Automated Trading Collective, or, “ATC”, focused on automating short term trading strategies, including 0DTE. Look for an announcement around this launch before the end of Q1 2025, but if interested and want a spot on our waiting list, please email Support@StickyTrades.com. And now, a word from StickyTrade.com’s & ATC’s Andrew Falde:

Traders often make the mistake of treating medium or long-term levels as strict entry/exit points, saying, “If this level breaks, I’m in, and I’ll hold as long as it stays above/below.” The issue is that price often crisscrosses these levels multiple times before making a decisive move, leading to whipsaw losses. While small individually, these losses add up and frustrate traders, keeping them from catching the big move they anticipated.

Take SPY’s 609.07 high from December 6, 2024—it took over a month to break back above, only to trade back below six times since. The same happens on the short side, forcing traders to repeatedly decide whether to hold or exit. And that’s just daily bars—intraday is even worse.

If you’re taking low-probability trades like this, automation can help manage fatigue. Otherwise, for manual trading or options, it’s better to focus on higher-probability setups, use reasonable stops, and understand your trade’s long-term expectancy.

Andrew’s Bio:

Andrew Falde has 15 years of trading experience, including funded trading and advising for Wall Street hedge funds, prop firms, and individual investors; and holds a Series 65 (“registered investment advisor”). His approach emphasizes automated trading systems with diverse exposure to long, short, and neutral positions in stocks, options, and alternative assets. He has taught thousands of independent and pro traders around the world through live seminars, webinars, and educational courses. Andrew lives with his wife and their three kids in Fort Myers, Florida.

Members of ATC will be able to make a one-time purchase of the platform/program and have the option to join the ATC-membes-only Telegram room where members and Andrew will ideate over the trading day, for a monthly fee.

Here is an example of Andrew’s approach on how to safely short high flying stocks.

StickyTrades.com is a constantly growing & world wide, close-knit community that shares their success and wants to see others succeed. If interested in being a contributor to our community, please contact AJMembers@StickyTrades.com.

Want to see your picture on next week’s edition of Sticky Weekend Review? Send in your images showcasing any StickyTrades merch with you or friends and family at support@stickytrades.com

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*Webinars and trading rooms are exclusively available to StickyTrades members, with access determined by their current subscription level.

Another new offering, NODLive, is off to the races.  Join fellow subscribers to get 1-3 daily emails/day or 10-15 emails, PER WEEK, giving you curated, updated, market information that is relevant to those of us trading. Give it a look and try here.

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