Sunday night's 50-handle drop in S&P futures reversed by morning, with the index now trading up around 69.55. Volatility retreated from 19 to 18.30 overnight, highlighting the difficulty of planning trading strategies amid rapid market shifts.

Gold surged to $5,100 while silver made an even more dramatic move, jumping nearly 8% in a parabolic rise that traders view as potentially concerning. Natural gas has also seen significant volatility, climbing from 28 to 38 in just days.

This week brings crucial earnings reports from Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT), and Meta, which could determine market direction. Speakers suggested long NASDAQ/short Russell positions might be appropriate, noting the Russell's recent strength has signaled "risk-on" sentiment.

For most premium sellers, profits typically come from accumulating many small wins rather than a handful of large gains, with most successful trades occurring in frequently traded high-volume stocks.

Sunday night's 50-handle drop in S&P futures reversed by morning, with the index now trading up around 69.55. Volatility retreated from 19 to 18.30 overnight, highlighting the difficulty of planning trading strategies amid rapid market shifts.

Gold surged to $5,100 while silver made an even more dramatic move, jumping nearly 8% in a parabolic rise that traders view as potentially concerning. Natural gas has also seen significant volatility, climbing from 28 to 38 in just days.

This week brings crucial earnings reports from Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT), and Meta, which could determine market direction. Speakers suggested long NASDAQ/short Russell positions might be appropriate, noting the Russell's recent strength has signaled "risk-on" sentiment.

For most premium sellers, profits typically come from accumulating many small wins rather than a handful of large gains, with most successful trades occurring in frequently traded high-volume stocks.

Markets opened lower Sunday evening as Senate Democrats threatened to withhold support for government funding bills that include DHS funding, pushing government shutdown odds from the teens to 70-80%. This political development sent the S&P 500 down nearly 0.8%, with NASDAQ off 1.1%.

Gold reached new all-time highs above $5,050 while silver traded near $104.70 after breaking through the $100 level. Precious metals momentum remains strong amid dollar weakness, with traders looking for potential pullbacks as entry opportunities.

## Key Events This Week:

* Fed meeting Wednesday (no rate change expected, but Powell's comments on geopolitics and recent subpoenas will be closely watched)

* Major earnings releases: Microsoft, Meta and Tesla on Wednesday; Apple on Thursday

* Potential government shutdown at month-end

* Ongoing geopolitical tensions with Iran

The Bank of Japan may have intervened in currency markets, with reports suggesting the Fed was asked for quotes to facilitate trades as the yen strengthened considerably against the dollar.

Markets opened lower Sunday evening as Senate Democrats threatened to withhold support for government funding bills that include DHS funding, pushing government shutdown odds from the teens to 70-80%. This political development sent the S&P 500 down nearly 0.8%, with NASDAQ off 1.1%.

Gold reached new all-time highs above $5,050 while silver traded near $104.70 after breaking through the $100 level. Precious metals momentum remains strong amid dollar weakness, with traders looking for potential pullbacks as entry opportunities.

## Key Events This Week:

* Fed meeting Wednesday (no rate change expected, but Powell's comments on geopolitics and recent subpoenas will be closely watched)

* Major earnings releases: Microsoft, Meta and Tesla on Wednesday; Apple on Thursday

* Potential government shutdown at month-end

* Ongoing geopolitical tensions with Iran

The Bank of Japan may have intervened in currency markets, with reports suggesting the Fed was asked for quotes to facilitate trades as the yen strengthened considerably against the dollar.