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 151

In 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 gain
• The impact of recent news and options positioning on key SPX levels
• Potential trade ideas using put credit spreads and how I’m managing them
• Updated weekly Triumph Rates (WTR) and what they say about market conditions

🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube to follow along with charts and levels

https://youtu.be/rd5RFVy7WKs

Mentioned Tools:

Alpha Crunching – Weekly forecast & trade ideas

https://www.alphacrunching.com (Use code SPX50 for 50% Discount)

SpotGamma – Daily options positioning updates

https://spotgamma.com

Want to connect? Find me on X:

Eric O'Rourke: https://twitter.com/OptionAssassin

After 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 Forecasts

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/Pk22BcCBfn0

Welcome 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 income

Whether 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 Episode

Alpha Crunching Weekly Forecast Indicator:

https://www.tella.tv/video/weekly-forecast-heikin-ashi-for-profitable-trend-trades-cxun

https://www.alphacrunching.com (Use code SPX50 for 50% discount)

Alpha Crunching Call Debit Spread:

https://www.alphacrunching.com/blog/call-spread-option-strategy

SpotGamma.com for Call and Put Walls

Economic Calendar:

https://www.forexfactory.com/calendar

Want to connect? Find me on X:

Eric O'Rourke: https://twitter.com/OptionAssassin

After 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 Truflation
• How truflation compares to CPI and what it may signal before official reports
• Historical 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/OptionAssassin

After 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/OptionAssassin

After 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/OptionAssassin

After 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 Trial

Want to connect? Find me on X:

Eric O'Rourke: https://twitter.com/OptionAssassin

After 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-strategy

Summary:

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 volatile

This 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-strategy

Want to connect? Find me on X:

Eric O'Rourke: https://twitter.com/OptionAssassin

After 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.