Stock Market Options Trading

In this episode of the Stock Market Options Trading podcast, host Eric O'Rourke breaks down three key reasons why a potential short-term bottom may be forming in the market.Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and recent volatility, Eric walks through the signals that suggest the market may be stabilizing—and possibly preparing for a move higher.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why dip buyers stepping in during negative news could signal strengthWhat the recent drop in the VIX tells us about market sentimentHow stronger-than-expected economic data is influencing market directionWhy the market may already be looking past current headlinesHow short-term traders can think about longer-term market positioningEric also shares an important perspective on how the stock market tends to look months ahead—something many short-term traders often overlook.Whether you're trading SPX options or just trying to understand current market conditions, this episode offers a practical, data-driven view of what might come next.🔗 Resources & Links:Alpha Crunching (SPX trading tools, data, and community): https://alphacrunching.comStock Market Options Trading: https://www.stockmarketoptionstrading.netAbout the Host:Eric O’Rourke is the founder of Alpha Crunching, a growing community focused on data-driven SPX options trading strategies. Through research, backtesting, and real-time tools, Alpha Crunching helps traders identify high-probability opportunities in short-duration trades.

Brian Terry’s Conservative Options Income Group: https://www.stockmarketoptionstrading.netEric O’Rourke’s SPX Trading Community:https://www.alphacrunching.comTrading in a community gives you perspective, shared ideas, and support—far better than trying to figure it all out on your own.In this episode, Eric O’Rourke is joined by Brian Terry to break down how they’re navigating a highly volatile, headline-driven market. With uncertainty tied to global events and sharp intraday reversals, both emphasize that sometimes the best trade is no trade at all—and that sitting in cash can be a strategic edge.Brian shares how he’s staying active by focusing on strength in the energy sector, using diagonal call strategies and poor man’s covered calls on oil-related stocks showing relative strength. Rather than changing strategy structures, he explains how simply rotating into stronger sectors can maintain a bullish or neutral approach even in a weak market.Eric contrasts this with his SPX-focused approach, where many bullish credit spread strategies are no longer triggering. He discusses why “flipping” strategies (e.g., turning put spreads into call spreads) doesn’t always work, based on backtesting results. Instead, he’s adapting through shorter-duration trades, including 0DTE trend-based spreads, while being more selective—especially on volatile gap days.Check this Video: https://youtu.be/WLNR_5wf6YIThey also dive into:The impact of extreme intraday reversals on short-term tradingWhy timing (like the 10:30am window) can improve probabilitiesAdjusting position sizing and exposure during uncertain conditionsUsing moving averages (like the 100 and 200-day) to manage longer-term portfoliosThe challenge of knowing when to re-enter after going to cashThe episode wraps with a key reminder: markets like this require flexibility, patience, and discipline. You don’t need to force trades—wait for conditions to improve and protect capital so you’re ready when opportunities return.

In this episode, Eric O’Rourke is joined by Brian Terry from the Conservative Options Income Network (COIN) to break down a recent SPX iron condor trade that caught attention for its unusually wide structure.With volatility elevated and market conditions shifting, Brian walks through how he constructed a 7-day iron condor nearly 600 points wide—while still keeping defined risk and a high probability of success. The discussion covers how iron condors work, why wider strikes can make sense in high VIX environments, and how to think about risk, adjustments, and profit targets.They also dive into:Why Brian targets ~50% profit and exits earlyHow to manage trades when one side gets challengedThe pros and cons of rolling vs. closing one sideUsing iron condors as a “campaign” strategy in volatile marketsThe role of discretion vs. systematic tradingEric also shares how this type of neutral strategy can complement Alpha Crunching systems, especially when bullish setups are paused during bearish market conditions.If you’ve ever wondered how to trade iron condors in volatile markets—or how to stay active when directional strategies aren’t triggering—this episode is packed with practical insights.👉 Learn more about Alpha Crunching and join the community: https://alphacrunching.com 👉 Check out Brian’s COIN alerts: https://stockmarketoptiontrading.net

Want to trade SPX 0DTE with a proven system instead of guessing?Alpha Crunching gives you the tools, alerts, and community to do it.👉 Try it today and take 50% off with code SPX50 at AlphaCrunching.comIn this episode, Eric O’Rourke breaks down a practical question many options traders ask: what does it actually take to make $100 per day selling options?Using real SPX credit spread examples, Eric walks through different ways traders approach profit targets—from letting spreads expire worthless to taking profits early—and why focusing only on percentage returns (like 50%) can be misleading. He explains how spread width, contract sizing, commissions, and capital requirements all play a role in reaching consistent daily income goals.You’ll hear the trade-offs between:Selling narrower vs. wider spreadsTaking profits early vs. holding to expirationIncreasing contracts vs. increasing risk per tradeMoving further out of the money for higher probability setupsEric also shares how he’s been adjusting his own approach, including using wider spreads and targeting fixed dollar profits per trade, along with how tools like the Trend Spread Engine (TSE) fit into decision-making.If you're looking to better understand the mechanics behind generating consistent income with SPX credit spreads—without overcomplicating the strategy—this episode lays out the key concepts.👉 Learn more and explore strategies at AlphaCrunching.comJoin a growing community of SPX traders using data-driven tools and real-time alerts.

In this episode of the Stock Market Options Trading Podcast, Eric explains an idea that comes up frequently in the SPX trading community: the difference between market conditions and trading signals—and why that distinction matters when trading credit spreads.Many traders use indicators like moving averages or trend indicators strictly for buy or sell signals, such as a moving average crossover. But when trading premium strategies like credit spreads, Eric explains why it can be more effective to evaluate market conditions instead. For example, a simple condition like the 5-day moving average being above the 10-day moving average can indicate a bullish environment without waiting for the actual crossover signal.Eric also shares how this concept applies to the 0DTE Trend Spread Engine, where trend is checked at set time intervals throughout the day to determine whether conditions favor bullish or bearish credit spreads—without waiting for the indicator to flip signals.Because credit spreads benefit from time decay (theta) and only require the market to stay generally on the correct side of the trade, focusing on conditions rather than perfect timing can allow traders to increase trade frequency, trade smaller, and stay aligned with the broader market environment.About the HostThe podcast is hosted by Eric O’Rourke, options trader and founder of Alpha Crunching, a data-driven platform and community focused on trading SPX options strategies. Inside the Alpha Crunching community, traders explore tools like the Trend Spread Engine, backtested strategies, and market condition frameworks designed to help structure credit spread trading.Learn more about the community and tools at:👉 https://alphacrunching.com

Before we jump in — if you want to see the tools mentioned in this episode in action, including the 0DTE Trend Spread Engine and the 1DTE Bias indicator, visit AlphaCrunching.com to learn more and join the trading community.In this episode, Eric discusses the recent market breakdown and how current geopolitical tensions, volatility, and upcoming economic data are shaping trading decisions. With SPX experiencing sharp moves and uncertainty rising, he walks through how he’s adapting his approach and managing trades during this environment.A major theme is market structure and key levels. Right now, gamma positioning appears scattered across large round numbers, suggesting institutional traders themselves are uncertain. As a result, Eric is watching major SPX levels every 100 points (6600, 6700, 6800, etc.) as potential support and resistance zones while the market “ping-pongs” between them.He also reviews the macro backdrop driving volatility, including geopolitical tensions, sector rotation away from AI stocks, and a busy week of economic data with CPI, jobless claims, and PCE all ahead. These events could determine whether the market stabilizes or pushes lower toward the mid-6600s.Eric then explains how he’s positioning his portfolio:Maintaining a core SPY position while actively trading around itUsing covered calls and rolling positions to manage downside while leaving room for upside participationPausing many longer-duration spreads due to increased uncertaintyMuch of the current trading activity has shifted toward shorter-term strategies, particularly SPX 0DTE trades.The episode highlights how the AlphaCrunching 0DTE Trend Spread Engine (TSE) is being used in practice. The system ranks the best times of day for 0DTE spreads based on historical performance and now posts the short strike levels from the highest-probability trades. These levels act as data-backed areas where SPX has historically stayed away from by expiration, allowing traders to use them as reference points for structuring credit spreads.Eric also introduces progress on the 1DTE Bias indicator, an experimental tool that evaluates market regimes using factors like trend behavior and VIX conditions. By comparing current conditions to historical matches over the past three years, the tool estimates the probability of the market closing higher the next day. The recent volatility spike has highlighted one of the challenges of building this model: unusual market conditions sometimes produce very small historical sample sizes.The episode closes with an important reminder about patience and risk management. In volatile environments, it’s often better to wait for conditions to settle rather than forcing trades. Sometimes the best position is simply holding cash until clearer opportunities emerge.Overall, this discussion provides a real-time look at how Eric is navigating a volatile market using a combination of macro awareness, probability-based levels, and adaptive options strategies.

👉 Read the Trend Spread Engine article here:https://www.alphacrunching.com/blog/spx-0dte-options-trading-using-the-trend-spread-engine-to-find-high-probability-intraday-windowsIn this episode, I expand on a concept Brian Terry shared in Episode 174 about entering iron condors one side at a time — waiting for rallies to sell calls and pullbacks to sell puts.That idea of patience and better positioning really resonated with me… and I’ve started applying it directly to my SPX 0DTE trading.After launching the Trend Spread Engine in Episodes 172 and 173, we’ve been tracking every 0DTE credit spread posted throughout the day and compiling weekly performance reports. We’re seeing certain morning time blocks show 90%+ expiration win rates.But here’s the key:High probability doesn’t mean you need to enter immediately.Instead of chasing the alert the moment it posts, I’m marking those statistically backed strike levels on my chart and waiting for volatility to give me a better entry — either higher strikes or better credit.In today’s volatile market, patience can mean:Better distance from priceHigher probability positioningImproved risk/reward structureLess emotional tradingThis applies whether you’re trading 0DTE, 7DTE, or 30+ days to expiration.If you trade credit spreads, this episode will help you think differently about execution and timing — especially in fast-moving markets.Referenced Episodes:Episode 174 – Brian Terry’s Breakeven Iron Condor StrategyEpisodes 172 & 173 – Introduction to the Trend Spread EngineAs always, trade smart and manage risk.

In this episode, I’m joined by Brian Terry to break down a breakeven iron condor strategy he’s actively trading right now.Brian walks through how he enters the call side and put side separately, targeting equal credits on each side with 7 days to expiration. The key twist? He uses a 200% stop on each side, which means if one side gets stopped out, the trade is designed to be roughly breakeven overall.We talk through:Why separating entries can improve flexibilityHow the 200% stop changes the risk profileWhy this works well on SPX, and how newer traders can adapt it to SPY for smaller sizeThe mindset behind trading income strategies defensively, not emotionallyBrian runs the Conservative Options Income Network (COIN) over at https://stockmarketoptionstrading.net, where you can start a 14-day free trial and see his real trades, including the strategy discussed in this episode.If you’re interested in structured, rules-based options income strategies, this is a great one to study.

Earnings season can be one of the biggest drivers of volatility in the stock market—and understanding how stocks behave around earnings is critical for options traders.In this episode, I’m joined by Dan to talk about trading earnings and a tool he uses called Earnings Watcher. We break down the basics of volatility around earnings announcements, common patterns traders look for, and how Earnings Watcher helps stay organized while analyzing historical price and volatility behavior around earnings events.Whether you actively trade earnings or just want a better understanding of how earnings impact the broader market, this conversation will help put the process into context. 🔗 Earnings Watcher: https://earnings-watcher.com/pricing_smot

In this episode, we review some early backtest results from AlphaCrunching.com's newly launched 0DTe Trend Spread Engine (TSE).We're only 3 weeks into the stats but taking 0DTE trend spreads during the lunch hour at 12pm over the past 3 weeks has won 100% of the time. We're not expecting this type of performance to last forever but seeing this hot spots of high performance based on time of day entry is revealing some edge most traders are missing.We would love you to join Alpha Crunching as we continue this build in public approach for SPX 0DTE Options Trading.👉 Explore Alpha Crunching and get a discount:https://alphacrunching.comDiscount code: SPX50 for 50% off first month or year.🔗 Connect with Eric on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jericorourke/

In this episode, Eric breaks down the core ideas behind the 0DTE Trend Spread Engine (TSE) and how it fits into the broader Alpha Crunching philosophy of trading probabilities, not predictions.The TSE is built to systematically identify high-probability SPX credit spread ideas by combining intraday trend, time-based structure, and defined risk. Rather than reacting to every move, the focus is on stacking small statistical edges and letting data—not emotions—drive decisions.This episode also explains why strike selection and credits can vary, why these are trade ideas (not alerts), and how Alpha Crunching approaches options trading like an insurance business built on consistency and process.👉 Explore Alpha Crunching and get a discount: https://alphacrunching.com Discount code: SPX50 for 50% off first month or year.🔗 Connect with Eric on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jericorourke/

In this episode, we'll cover the key levels based on options positioning and the large range the S&P500 has been in since October. We'll review the Fed's dual mandate and why so much attention is paid economic reports involving jobs, inflation, and rate cuts. We've got some major economic events happening this week that will likely decide the next leg of the market.

In this episode, I’m walking through an SPX Iron Condor setup I’m pricing out as volatility continues to rise and the market dips below key moving averages.Here's the link the video version: https://youtu.be/0NAAbb6bbcIWhen volatility spikes, option premiums expand — and that’s when I like to sell Iron Condors on SPX for wider ranges and better credits. I’ll break down:✅ How I’m positioning this Iron Condor between recent highs and lows✅ Entry criteria and credit received (~$3.25 on 10-wide wings)✅ How to calculate max profit and max loss✅ My profit-taking plan (~30%) and adjustment ideas if SPX moves sharply✅ Why higher VIX levels can offer better Iron Condor setupsWhether you’re learning to trade index options or refining your Iron Condor strategy, this walkthrough gives you a practical framework to plan your trades in higher volatility environments.📊 Tools Mentioned: AlphaCrunching.com — data-driven SPX options setups and backtested strategies.🎯 Related Topics:SPX Iron Condor strategy for volatile marketsSPX options trading explainedSelling premium when VIX spikesManaging Iron Condors and rolling spreads#SPX #IronCondor #OptionsTrading #Volatility #SPXOptions #AlphaCrunching #SPXStrategies #TradingSPX #VIX #OptionsIncome

In this episode, Brian shares his LEAP call strategy — a flexible options approach that uses long-dated calls as a stock substitute while selling weekly calls for steady income. He breaks down real trade examples on NVIDIA, Google, and other names, showing how the strategy can generate solid returns with less capital than owning shares outright.You’ll hear how Brian manages exits, adjusts when short calls get breached, and keeps risk in check even when the market moves against him.👉 Follow Brian over at stockmarketoptionstrading.net💬 You can also get his trade alerts inside Alpha Traders Club to see this strategy in action.

In this episode, Eric and Brian kick off the week with a look at the SPX options market, recent price action, and key gamma levels heading into FOMC week. Eric recaps his recent put credit spread trades from Alpha Crunching, discusses how he’s managing new positions into record highs, and explains how he’s balancing bullish exposure with call credit spreads and discretionary hedges. The conversation also covers upcoming events—including major tech earnings from Apple, Microsoft, and Google—and how they might influence market sentiment.Brian shares a practical example of a LEAPS diagonal trade on AVGO that’s been profitable even without much price movement, illustrating how selling weekly calls can generate consistent income against a long-dated call. The two also discuss covered call timing, hedging approaches, and using instruments like SSO to gain leveraged exposure with less capital.🎧 Whether you’re trading SPX spreads or building income strategies with diagonals and covered calls, this episode offers a mix of mechanical systems and discretionary risk management ideas you can apply right away.👉 Join the next live session at stockmarketoptionstrading.net or inside the Alpha Crunching Discord.

In this episode, Brian breaks down a bullish put diagonal strategy he’s been testing on individual stocks — a twist on the traditional diagonal that behaves more like a cash-secured put with built-in protection. He explains how he buys a longer-dated put and sells weekly puts against it to steadily collect premium, manage risk, and generate consistent returns.You’ll hear examples from trades in Google, AMAT, and Bank of America, plus how he handles adjustments when prices move.👉 Join us for the next live Zoom or meetup at StockMarketOptionTrading.net to see more strategies like this in action.Want backtested SPX strategies before the trading week begins? Use code SPX50 at AlphaCrunching.com to get started with a 50% discount.

👉 Join us live every Monday at StockMarketOptionsTrading.net to be part of the next Zoom call and get your questions answered in real time.📈 Market Recap & Trading Lessons:🚀 Big rebound after last week’s 200-point SPX drop — market shakes off China tariff and shutdown worries🍏 Apple headlines and possible government deal spark optimism📊 Moving averages still recovering — 5-day hasn’t crossed back above 10-day yet🧠 Eric explains how one huge candle can distort technical indicators short-term💰 Shows an Iron Condor entered during the volatility spike — wide wings, 25% profit target⚡ Volatility crush helped profits as VIX cooled off📉 Trend-following strategies paused last week but could resume if short-term averages recover❌ Reminder: selling call spreads during downtrends doesn’t backtest well — stick to data-driven setups🔗 Check out all backtested trade setups at AlphaCrunching.com for this week’s SPX strategies

🎯 Get 50% off AlphaCrunching.com with code SPX50 — your edge for data-driven SPX option strategies.In this episode, Eric O’Rourke breaks down what happens when an uptrend breaks — and how traders can stay grounded when volatility spikes. He covers the recent tariff shock, key SPX levels to watch (6650–6800), and why the market’s recovery above the volume trigger could signal renewed bullish momentum.Eric also discusses risk management in trend-following strategies, explains how short-term setbacks fit within high-win-rate systems, and shares insights from the latest Alpha Crunching forecast showing a cautious but stabilizing market outlook.Want to join our next Live Zoom call?Check out our Events calendar. It's free to join.https://www.stockmarketoptionstrading.net/events

In this episode of the Stock Market Options Trading Podcast, Eric dives into the concept of expectancy—a key metric that blends win rate, average win size, and average loss size into one number that helps traders understand whether a strategy has a real edge over the long run.We break down why a high win rate alone doesn’t guarantee profits (think 98% win rate ads…), and how expectancy provides better context by showing how much you can expect to make or lose per trade on average. Eric also shares updates inside Alpha Crunching: the Trade Ideas tab now includes expectancy alongside win rate, giving subscribers deeper insight when sorting potential setups for the week.You’ll also hear about future enhancements—like adding average win and loss values—so traders can better gauge risk-reward and decide which setups fit their personal style.👉 Try Alpha Crunching for yourself and get 50% off your first month here: https://alphacrunching.com

This episode centers on navigating markets at all-time highs after last week’s FOMC head-fake. We discuss how to balance staying long with reducing risk, trimming SPX put-credit spreads, and the trade-offs of skipping entries during volatile weeks.Brian joins to walk through his weekend watchlist and three core income strategies: in-the-money covered calls, poor man’s covered calls (diagonals), and broken-wing butterflies—including how he manages risk, targets returns, and selects trades. We also cover SPY covered calls vs. selling puts, an update on Intel’s surprise breakout, and practical ways to use mechanical strategies like Alpha Crunching’s Thursday PCS setup.Symbols mentioned: SPX, SPY, ETSY, BABA, RKLB, INTC.

Join us for another live session of the Stock Market Options Trading Podcast with Eric and co-host Brian as we dive into trading SPY options. We start by comparing SPY vs SPX — looking at the key differences in contract size, settlement style, tax treatment, and liquidity.Brian also shares details on his Delta Neutral “double diagonal” strategy with SPY, walking through trade setups, adjustments, and lessons learned from managing the position. We cover how rolling strikes works, how IV impacts results, and why this approach may fit best in lower-volatility environments.Eric wraps up by discussing how he’s using covered calls on SPY as a way to generate income and manage positions during the current market uptrend.👉 If you want to join future sessions live, visit https://stockmarketoptionstrading.net and check the Events tab for schedules and Zoom links. Replays are always posted here on the YouTube channel.

🎁 50% OFF: Option Omega (code SMOT) • Alpha Crunching (code SPX50) — grab both and build + automate your SPX playbook.This episode is a fun, nerdy deep-dive with Troy and Matt from Option Omega. We cover how to build realistic backtests for options (especially 0DTE) and when it makes sense to automate entries/exits so you’re not chained to the screen. We also walk through a few trade structures—including the much-misunderstood Reverse Iron Condor (RIC)—and talk about portfolio-level thinking: position sizing, diversification across edges, and why “one-lotting” more often than not can save your sanity.What we cover:Why end-of-day data lies for options backtests and how 1-minute, intraday pricing changes the conclusions (stops, profit targets, and whether you even got filled).The rise of 0DTE and why intraday realism matters way more than it did for 45–90 DTE trades.The “Punisher”: stress-testing backtests with slippage, fills, and tougher assumptions so results hold up in live trading.Liquidity matters: why OO focuses on top tickers (SPX, SPY, QQQ, etc.), and the pros/cons of instruments like XSP.RICs (Reverse Iron Condors) as long-gamma plays: when long premium + the right signal can still have positive expectancy, and sizing so a few losses don’t nuke the account.Credit-spread philosophy: structure ≠ edge. Edge comes from when you put it on (signals), then you pick the simplest structure that monetizes that edge.Automation better than willpower: broker-resting stops, time windows, and signal-gated entries so your plan runs even when you’re walking the dog.Sizing & psychology: allocations as a strategy; why many traders should downshift to one-lots more often; diversifying edges (theta harvest + long-gamma + price-action) on the same ticker.My ASD signal (Alpha Crunching): using Average Strength Deviation as a weekly, day-of-week filter; combining ASD with simple MAs/EMAs for “aggressive” ATM put-credit spreads; converting those rules into hands-off automations.Broker support today: Schwab, Tastytrade, Tradier (IB not currently supported for U.S. retail cloud API).Key takeaways:Backtests need intraday realism or they’re just stories.Structure is just the container; edge = timing + conditions.If your edge is “market stability”, credit spreads monetize it better than naked long calls.Automation lets you run more strategies with smaller per-trade risk and fewer emotional mistakes.Test harshly (slippage, fills, stops) so live results rhyme with backtests.Resources & links:🔧 https://OptionOmega.com (backtesting + automation) — Use code SMOT for 50% off.📈 https://AlphaCrunching.com (signals, forecasts, ASD/WTR/TTR, weekly trade ideas) Use code SPX50 for 50% off first year.

This Week in Options Trading with Eric & Brian 🎙️📈In this episode, Eric and Brian recap a volatile week in the markets, share updates on recent SPX trades, and walk through trade setups they’re watching. Topics include:Last week’s market moves, Powell’s comments, and how they affected options positionsAn Intel trade idea: building a position with stock, covered calls, and long-term outlookA deep dive into a broken wing butterfly setup on Carvana and why it flips the risk/reward compared to standard spreadsKey economic events on this week’s calendar (GDP, core PCE, jobs data) and how they may impact price actionTools for traders: Forex Factory, Unusual Whales options flow, and Alpha Crunching’s new ASD forecast researchWhether you’re into SPX spreads, directional trades, or income strategies, this session covers practical setups and the thought process behind them.👉 Catch the live session every week by RSVPing at https://stockmarketoptionstrading.net/events.👉 Join the conversation in the Alpha Crunching Discord to access research, options flow tools, and weekly trade ideas.

Welcome to the first segment on the show of This Week in Options Trading with Eric O’Rourke and Brian Terry! We’ll be going live every Monday at 12pm ET to share option strategies, market setups, and answer community questions in real time.👉 To RSVP for future live sessions: https://stockmarketoptionstrading.net/eventsIn this kickoff episode, Eric walks through the Monday 7DTE Put Credit Spread strategy powered by Alpha Crunching’s Weekly Triumph Rate (WTR). He compares backtest results of holding to expiration versus taking early profits and shows why risk/reward balance is key for long-term success. We also dig into trade management, allocation, and automation using Option Omega.Brian shares one of his go-to strategies—the Poor Man’s Covered Call (Diagonal Call Spread)—breaking down a real trade example in $ANET, including strike selection, rolling, and risk management.We also touch on the week’s economic calendar, including the FOMC minutes and Jackson Hole Symposium, and how traders might factor these events into their setups.👉 To RSVP for future live sessions: https://stockmarketoptionstrading.net/events👉 Watch replays on YouTube: Stock Market Options Trading channel⚠️ Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and not financial advice. Options involve risk and are not suitable for every investor.

In this week's episode, we cover the major economic reports and catalysts driving the markets and what caused the current break in the uptrend.🎥 Mentioned in this episode:Check out the latest YouTube video where Eric explains how the ASD indicator from Alpha Crunching helps spot slowing momentum and potential SPX trend reversals — before they happen.📺 Watch here: https://youtu.be/H48aAu4WxBA💡 Get 50% off your first year at AlphaCrunching.com

🎧 Episode Description – SPX 0DTE Risk-Free Profit ForestIn this episode, Eric breaks down a risk-free SPX trade using the “Profit Forest” approach—where the focus is on locking in gains and building multiple profit zones on the risk graph, rather than chasing max reward with max risk.📺 Watch the full video version of this trade on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/ONQCRfjrMZ0📹 Also check out these related videos on risk-free 0DTE setups:🌲SPX 0DTE Iron Butterfly Risk Free Walkthroughhttps://youtu.be/AUpTVV-a4sQ🌲SPX 0DTE Options Strategy: Risk Free Trade Walkthroughhttps://youtu.be/nSLOBTKgvmw🌳SPX 0DTE Risk Free Profit Forest Trade: Green Everywhere!https://youtu.be/mojAC_DXZ6M📈 Get your edge with AlphaCrunching.comAccess daily SPX forecasts and backtested trade ideas to help guide your SPX decisions.👉 Use code SPX50 for 50% off your first month/year: https://www.alphacrunching.com💬 Join the free SMOT communityChat with other SPX traders, explore trade alerts, and access educational content at:🔗 https://www.stockmarketoptionstrading.net

SPX Market Outlook, FOMC Setup & This Week’s Trade Ideas"In this episode of the Stock Market Options Trading Podcast, Eric breaks down the current SPX market setup heading into a big week of economic events, including Wednesday’s FOMC meeting. After last Friday’s selloff, the market rallied hard on Monday—highlighting the continued volatility.Eric recaps last week’s inflation data (CPI, PPI), stronger-than-expected consumer sentiment, and why these may give the Fed room to ease up. He also walks through this week’s AlphaCrunching forecast, revealing a potential shift toward late-week weakness and how that’s impacting his current trades.Plus, you'll hear the latest backtested trade ideas, including put credit spreads and hedge setups—all driven by AlphaCrunching’s proprietary Triumph Rate metrics and trend data.📈 Join Alpha Crunching for weekly SPX forecasts, trade ideas, and strategy tools: AlphaCrunching.com🎙️ Chat with Eric and other traders in the free SMOT Community at StockMarketOptionsTrading.net

The S&P 500 is closing in on all-time highs, but is momentum starting to fade? In this episode, Eric O’Rourke breaks down the key SPX levels to watch, including major option walls, falling volatility, and upcoming economic events like CPI and PPI that could shake things up.You'll also get a look at this week’s Alpha Crunching trade ideas and market forecast, plus how Eric is managing a mix of put and call credit spreads to stay balanced as the uptrend continues.🔹 Get 50% off Alpha Crunching tools with code SPX50 at AlphaCrunching.com🔹 Join the free SMOT Community Chat to connect with other traders at StockMarketOptionsTrading.netNew video episodes now available on YouTube! 🎥 Just search for Stock Market Options Trading.Disclaimer:This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. Options trading involves risk and is not suitable for all investors. Nothing discussed should be considered financial or investment advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial professional.

In this episode, I’m joined by longtime trader and retiree Brian Terry to talk about the realities of trading in retirement. We cover how trading can keep your mind sharp, add structure to your day, and become a fulfilling part-time income stream. Brian also shares practical tips for managing risk, avoiding overtrading, and staying consistent—especially when you’re no longer working a 9–5.👉 Come join the free community at StockMarketOptionsTrading.net where Brian and I hang out and discuss trades in real time. You’ll also find on-demand courses and our private trading group where we post trade alerts and educational content each week.Whether you’re retired or just planning ahead, this episode has something for every trader looking to keep learning and stay engaged.🎯 Want to trade alongside us? Get a 30-day trial to the Alpha Traders Club at StockMarketOptionsTrading.net. Inside, you'll get access to real-time trade alerts, weekly trade breakdowns, and a private chat community focused on SPX options and consistent strategy execution.

In this week’s episode of the Stock Market Options Trading Podcast, Eric recaps last week’s pullback in SPX, driven by fresh EU tariff headlines, and how the forecast data from Alpha Crunching has responded. He highlights the shift in market tone based on the Average Strength Deviation (ASD) metric, which has now gone negative — a potential warning sign for deeper weakness ahead.👉 You can access the Average Strength Deviation (ASD) indicator and all Alpha Crunching forecast tools at https://AlphaCrunching.com — use code SPX50 for 50% off your first plan.Eric also walks through a potential SPX call credit spread trade he's considering around the 6000 level, outlining the logic behind the strike selection and risk management with a possible roll into an iron condor.Plus, he touches on key option levels from SpotGamma, the latest consumer confidence data, and how this week’s economic calendar (including GDP and inflation reports) might play into market moves.🎥 Watch the video version here: [Insert YouTube link]Disclaimer:This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not financial advice. Always do your own due diligence before making any trading or investment decisions.

This week on the Stock Market Options Trading Podcast, I'm joined by fellow trader Brian Terry as we break down the market’s reaction to the Moody’s U.S. credit downgrade, recent economic data, and the relentless uptrend in the S&P 500. We dive into current market sentiment, the Fed’s role this week, and a few trade setups we’re watching closely—including a bullish broken wing butterfly on DASH and a 7-day SPX put credit spread from the AlphaCrunching.com trade ideas tab.We also touch on using tools like SpotGamma levels, Truflation, and how we're managing trades during this volatile yet resilient market environment.💬 Want to join the conversation and see all the charts we’re talking about?Head over to https://www.stockmarketoptionstrading.net and become a free member to access the trade feed, comment on episodes, and follow along with our strategies.

📈 Volatility, Indicators, and the SPX Weekly Forecast | Episode 151In this episode of the Stock Market Options Trading Podcast, I cover how volatile price action can distort technical indicators—and what that means for traders. Using Alpha Crunching’s SPX Weekly Forecast as an example, we look at how past outlier moves (like the recent tariff news spike) are dropping out of the data and shifting indicator readings.I also walk through:Why this week’s forecast still looks bullish despite a lower net gainThe impact of recent news and options positioning on key SPX levelsPotential trade ideas using put credit spreads and how I’m managing themUpdated weekly Triumph Rates (WTR) and what they say about market conditions🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube to follow along with charts and levelshttps://youtu.be/rd5RFVy7WKsMentioned Tools:Alpha Crunching – Weekly forecast & trade ideashttps://www.alphacrunching.com (Use code SPX50 for 50% Discount)SpotGamma – Daily options positioning updateshttps://spotgamma.comWant to connect? Find me on X:Eric O'Rourke: https://twitter.com/OptionAssassinAfter that, join other listeners at https://StockMarketOptionsTrading.net and join the community for free right now where there are daily posts with clues to the where the market may be headed next. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.

📈 First Video Podcast, SPX Forecast After 9-Day Rally, Iron Condor Adjustments & Market ForecastsWatch the video here: https://youtu.be/Pk22BcCBfn0Welcome to episode 150 of the Stock Market Options Trading Podcast! 🎉This week’s special episode marks our very first video podcast — now available on YouTube and your favorite audio platforms like Apple and Spotify. If you're watching on YouTube, don’t forget there are 149 audio-only episodes full of SPX options strategies, technical analysis, and educational content.In this episode, Eric breaks down:🔴 Why he’s wearing a red shirt (hint: SPX is red today)📉 A recap of last week’s historic 9-day rally and what’s driving current volatility🧠 A live walkthrough of his adjusted SPX Iron Condor trade and how he managed risk after the rally🔍 Key SpotGamma levels for SPX (Call Wall, Put Wall, and Volume Triggers)📊 A look at Alpha Crunching’s updated weekly SPX forecast and how traders can use it to anticipate market momentum⚙️ How Triumph Rates and strategy filters guide potential trades like call debit spreads🗓️ A quick rundown of this week’s economic events including the FOMC meeting and PMI data📉 Why Eric is still trading small size below the 200-day moving average and how he’s combining mechanical trades with Iron Condors for incomeWhether you’re trading SPX options full-time or just learning the ropes, this episode is packed with practical market context, chart visuals, and strategy adjustments to help navigate current conditions.👇 Resources & Links Mentioned in This EpisodeAlpha Crunching Weekly Forecast Indicator:https://www.tella.tv/video/weekly-forecast-heikin-ashi-for-profitable-trend-trades-cxunhttps://www.alphacrunching.com (Use code SPX50 for 50% discount)Alpha Crunching Call Debit Spread: https://www.alphacrunching.com/blog/call-spread-option-strategySpotGamma.com for Call and Put WallsEconomic Calendar:https://www.forexfactory.com/calendarWant to connect? Find me on X:Eric O'Rourke: https://twitter.com/OptionAssassinAfter that, join other listeners at https://StockMarketOptionsTrading.net and join the community for free right now where there are daily posts with clues to the where the market may be headed next. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.

Welcome back to the Stock Market Options Trading Podcast! I'm your host, Eric O'Rourke, and in this episode I break down the latest market action, key technical levels, and how I’m trading SPX options during this volatile stretch.📉 This week, the S&P500 dropped over 2% to start the week as uncertainty around tariffs continues to dominate headlines. I talk through how I’m navigating the range-bound market with iron condors and why I'm keeping trades short and wide.📊 I also share insights from Alpha Crunching’s Weekly Triumph Rate (WTR), which remains below 50% across the board — a rare occurrence signaling more weakness under the hood.📈 We take a closer look at:Real-time inflation data from TruflationHow truflation compares to CPI and what it may signal before official reportsHistorical SPY reactions to Fed rate cuts, with a helpful chart from TrendSpider🗓️ Plus, I touch on key economic events to watch this week including flash PMI, durable goods, and consumer sentiment.📌 Resources mentioned:🔗 Alpha Crunching Weekly Triumph Rate🔗 Truflation Dashboard🔗 TrendSpider Rate Cut Chart Tweet🔗 Grok on xAI (for research)Thanks for listening! Be sure to subscribe and check out AlphaCrunching.com for data-backed trade ideas and SPX forecast tools. Get 50% off your first month or year!

In this episode, Eric recaps last week's wild ride in the S&P 500, driven by tariff headlines, a surprise 90-day pause, and a sharp oversold rally. He covers key economic data—including CPI, PPI, and sentiment numbers—and why they paint a mixed inflation picture. Eric also shares the latest SPX levels he's watching, how he's positioning with an iron condor, and what Alpha Crunching's updated weekly forecast reveals about the current choppy trend. This is still a headline-driven market, and patience remains key.Want to connect? Find me on X:Eric O'Rourke: https://twitter.com/OptionAssassinAfter that, join other listeners at https://StockMarketOptionsTrading.net and join the community for free right now where there are daily posts with clues to the where the market may be headed next. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.

In this episode, Eric discusses the sharp market selloff following the surprise "Liberation Day" announcement, ongoing tariff drama, and how global markets are reacting. He breaks down key SPX levels to watch (4900, 5000, 5100), headline-driven price action, and what the Fed’s emergency closed-door meeting might mean for traders. Eric also revisits a simple bear market hedge from a previous episode, explains why he's currently sitting in cash, and shares what he's watching for potential long-term buys. It’s a fast-moving week—stay nimble and patient.Want to connect? Find me on X:Eric O'Rourke: https://twitter.com/OptionAssassinAfter that, join other listeners at https://StockMarketOptionsTrading.net and join the community for free right now where there are daily posts with clues to the where the market may be headed next. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.

In this episode of the Stock Market Options Trading podcast, Eric welcomes back guest Brian Terry to discuss navigating the current choppy and volatile market. They cover the recent 10% correction in the S&P 500, key economic events for the week (including reciprocal tariffs and Powell’s upcoming comments), and how market levels like the 200-day moving average are influencing trading sentiment.Brian shares how he's using in-the-money covered calls to generate income with downside protection, even during pullbacks. They dive into sector rotation—highlighting strong performers like gold (GLD), utilities, and dividend stocks—and explain the mechanics behind selecting trades with favorable risk/reward profiles. Eric also reflects on the challenges of backtesting bearish strategies and why sometimes sitting in cash is the best trade.It’s a great discussion on trading defensively, adapting strategies to market conditions, and staying consistent during uncertain times.Want to connect? Find me on X:Eric O'Rourke: https://twitter.com/OptionAssassinAfter that, join other listeners at https://StockMarketOptionsTrading.net and join the community for free right now where there are daily posts with clues to the where the market may be headed next. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.

In this episode, Eric recaps the latest market action as the S&P 500 breaks back above the 200-day moving average following a strong Monday rally. He covers key levels from SpotGamma.com, including updated put and call walls, and discusses this week’s major economic events like GDP, Core PCE, and Consumer Sentiment. Eric also shares a few SPX trade setups from Alpha Crunching, including a bullish 7-day put credit spread using the Weekly Triumph Rate, and explains how he's navigating recent market volatility by staying mechanical.Use code SPX50 for 50% off your first month at https://www.alphacrunching.com and start trading with confidence. Interested in joining Alpha Traders Club? Click Here for a 7 Day TrialWant to connect? Find me on X:Eric O'Rourke: https://twitter.com/OptionAssassinAfter that, join other listeners at https://StockMarketOptionsTrading.net and join the community for free right now where there are daily posts with clues to the where the market may be headed next. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.

📢 Read the full blog post with charts and performance data: https://www.alphacrunching.com/blog/bear-market-hedging-strategySummary:In this episode of the Stock Market Options Trading Podcast, we break down a bear market hedging strategy that just triggered given the current market conditions.Right now, SPX is down about 10%—a textbook correction—but it’s also trading below the 200-day moving average, which we’re using as a key reference point for this strategy. While some traders debate whether this qualifies as a bear market, the real focus is on objective, rule-based trading to avoid emotional decisions during volatile times.We discuss:✅ How this strategy works – using SPX bear call spreads with a 14-day expiration✅ Why it only triggers in bearish conditions – avoiding the drag of constant hedging✅ Performance since 2017 – with a 77% win rate and key takeaways from past bear markets✅ The importance of avoiding overtrading – staying mechanical when markets turn volatileThis isn’t an everyday trade—it only triggers in bearish conditions—but when it does, it has historically provided an edge in downturns without sacrificing gains in bullish markets.🎧 Listen now and see if this trade is setting up for next week!🔗 Full blog post with charts & backtest results: https://www.alphacrunching.com/blog/bear-market-hedging-strategyWant to connect? Find me on X:Eric O'Rourke: https://twitter.com/OptionAssassinAfter that, join other listeners at https://StockMarketOptionsTrading.net and join the community for free right now where there are daily posts with clues to the where the market may be headed next. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.

In this episode of Stock Market Options Trading, host Eric O'Rourke recaps a wild week for the S&P 500, including a sharp sell-off, extreme volatility, and a bounce off key support near SPX 5800. 📉📈🔎 Key Topics Covered:✅ SPX range update: 5800-6200 🎯✅ Bullish trades not triggering and why patience pays✅ How Eric used iron condors to trade the chop ⚙️✅ Why the Fed’s rate cut timeline is shifting 📅✅ Key events this week: PMI, jobless claims, NFP, and Powell speaking 💼💬💡 Pro Tip: When markets get wild, risk/reward matters more than ever—and Eric explains how he sizes his trades to survive big swings.👉 Tune in for smart insights, trade ideas, and a clear game plan for the week ahead! 🎧Want to connect? Find me on X:Eric O'Rourke: https://twitter.com/OptionAssassinAfter that, join other listeners at https://StockMarketOptionsTrading.net and join the community for free right now where there are daily posts with clues to the where the market may be headed next. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.

In this episode of Stock Market Option Trading, host Eric O'Rourke breaks down last week's failed SPX breakout and the sharp sell-off on Friday 📉. He recaps key economic events, including FOMC minutes 🏦, jobless claims 📊, and PMI data 📉, and discusses what to watch for this week, such as GDP 📈, jobless claims 💼, and core PCE 💵.🔥 Options Flow Insights: Eric dives into recent bearish options activity, key market levels, and how Alpha Crunching's trade setups are adjusting to the current conditions.🚀 Trading Automation Update: Exciting news! Eric shares details on a new automation tool 🤖 he's testing to streamline mechanical trading strategies—making trading more efficient and less time-consuming. Something he will be sharing in the Alpha Traders Club group. 💡 Tune in now for:✅ A full market recap 📰✅ Key trade ideas for the week 📊✅ The future of automated trading 🤖👉 Listen now and stay ahead of the market! 🎧Want to connect? Find me on X:Eric O'Rourke: https://twitter.com/OptionAssassinAfter that, join other listeners at https://StockMarketOptionsTrading.net and join the community for free right now where there are daily posts with clues to the where the market may be headed next. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.

Click Here for the SPX Income Masterclass discussed in this week's episode. In this episode of the Stock Market Option Trading podcast, host Eric O’Rourke dives into the key differences between bull call spreads and bull put spreads, breaking down their mechanics, risk-reward profiles, and how to manage them effectively.Eric explains why bull call spreads, which are debit trades, require a directional move to profit, while bull put spreads, as credit trades, can benefit from time decay. He also discusses strike selection, risk-reward considerations, and win rates, helping traders determine which strategy aligns best with their trading style.This episode was inspired by the latest bull call spread strategy module added to the SPX Income Masterclass, offering traders a structured way to approach bullish options strategies.👉 Check out the SPX Income Masterclass at stockmarketoptiontrading.net🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to leave a review!Want to connect? Find me on X:Eric O'Rourke: https://twitter.com/OptionAssassinAfter that, join other listeners at https://StockMarketOptionsTrading.net and join the community for free right now where there are daily posts with clues to the where the market may be headed next. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.

For the week of February 10, 2025, SPX will likely be driven but Powell's testimony along with core CPI and Core PPI inflation reports. Mentioned in this episode is trade idea for Tuesday. Here's the link: https://www.alphacrunching.com/blog/7dte-put-credit-spread-strategy-for-spx-weekly-optionsGet more S&P500 insights at https://www.AlphaCrunching.com/blogJoin me next week as we navigate the stock market focusing on the S&P500. Want to connect? Find me on X:Eric O'Rourke: https://twitter.com/OptionAssassinAfter that, join other listeners at https://StockMarketOptionsTrading.net and join the community for free right now where there are daily posts with clues to the where the market may be headed next. Also on the website, Alpha Traders Club is where I host my SPX Live Chat each day for trading SPX weekly options. We focus on the premarket data and levels, technical analysis, and options flow for trading high probability trades for weekly income. Here's the link: https://www.stockmarketoptionstrading.net/spaces/12282222Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. PS:Updated options trading research now available in the SPX Income Masterclass geared towards beginners with small accounts and for those who don't want to watch the market all day. The strategies included in this Lifetime Access and Updates course are mechanical in nature and lend themselves to automated trading which is also discussed in the course. Here's the link to the SPX Income Masterclass:https://www.stockmarketoptionstrading.net/spaces/4688450

Another bearish Monday on the back of Tariff announcements out of Washington. The market continues to hold up relatively well given these week over week news events. Last week it was AI news out of China and now tariff talk. Get more S&P500 insights at https://www.AlphaCrunching.com/blogEconomic events, options positioning, and technical indicators to get your ready for the week. Join me next week as we navigate the stock market focusing on the S&P500. Want to connect? Find me on X:Eric O'Rourke: https://twitter.com/OptionAssassinAfter that, join other listeners at https://StockMarketOptionsTrading.net and join the community for free right now where there are daily posts with clues to the where the market may be headed next. Also on the website, Alpha Traders Club is where I host my SPX Live Chat each day for trading SPX weekly options. We focus on the premarket data and levels, technical analysis, and options flow for trading high probability trades for weekly income. Here's the link: https://www.stockmarketoptionstrading.net/spaces/12282222Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. PS:Updated options trading research now available in the SPX Income Masterclass geared towards beginners with small accounts and for those who don't want to watch the market all day. The strategies included in this Lifetime Access and Updates course are mechanical in nature and lend themselves to automated trading which is also discussed in the course. Here's the link to the SPX Income Masterclass:https://www.stockmarketoptionstrading.net/spaces/4688450

Markets dropping hard today on the back of the DeepSeek AI company out of China which has achieved notable results using much less compute and resources that we've seen over the past year or so. NVDA down over 10% on this news and dragging the market down with it. Get more S&P500 insights at https://www.AlphaCrunching.com/blogEconomic events, options positioning, and technical indicators to get your ready for the week. Join me next week as we navigate the stock market focusing on the S&P500. Want to connect? Find me on X:Eric O'Rourke: https://twitter.com/OptionAssassinAfter that, join other listeners at https://StockMarketOptionsTrading.net and join the community for free right now where there are daily posts with clues to the where the market may be headed next. Also on the website, Alpha Traders Club is where I host my SPX Live Chat each day for trading SPX weekly options. We focus on the premarket data and levels, technical analysis, and options flow for trading high probability trades for weekly income. Here's the link: https://www.stockmarketoptionstrading.net/spaces/12282222Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. PS:Updated options trading research now available in the SPX Income Masterclass geared towards beginners with small accounts and for those who don't want to watch the market all day. The strategies included in this Lifetime Access and Updates course are mechanical in nature and lend themselves to automated trading which is also discussed in the course. Here's the link to the SPX Income Masterclass:https://www.stockmarketoptionstrading.net/spaces/4688450

In this episode, we explore a SPY call-buying strategy with a 53% win rate and a 2:1 risk-reward ratio. This strategy, built on data and technical analysis, is designed for consistent execution and measurable results.The audio for this show is from a recent YouTube video. Here's the link if you interested in the video version: https://youtu.be/eTLqr8TWstABlog Post: https://www.alphacrunching.com/blog/buying-spy-call-optionsSPY Call Buying Video Course: https://www.stockmarketoptionstrading.net/spaces/17635818Key Strategy Highlights:Core Strategy:Buy SPY calls (Delta 70) on Monday at 3:30 PM.Use a 50% stop loss and a 100% profit target for the 2:1 risk-reward ratio.The strategy has shown an average winner of $600 and an average loser of $340.Technical Conditions:SPY must be above its 20-day SMA, indicating a short-term uptrend.RSI must be below 70 to avoid overbought conditions.Weekly Triumph Rate (WTR):Check WTR data on AlphaCrunching.com before the trading week.Only trade if Monday’s WTR is above 50% or improving from the previous week.WTR provides insights into the probability of SPY closing higher the following week.Pre-Market Planning:WTR data is available on Sunday, allowing for early decision-making.Trade ideas are updated weekly for subscribers on Alpha Crunching.For a detailed breakdown, including variations on this strategy, check the blog post and mini video course linked below.Blog Post: https://www.alphacrunching.com/blog/buying-spy-call-optionsYouTube Video: https://youtu.be/eTLqr8TWstA