Day trading options can be a rollercoaster, with moments of triumph and periods of drawdown that test even the most disciplined traders. It’s during these challenging times that the importance of perseverance and consistency shines through. As Warren Buffett wisely said, “Stock market success is about discipline and perseverance. The key is to stay the course when others give up.” While Warren is the exact opposite of a Day trader, this principle applies perfectly to day trading 0DTE options.
Drawdowns are a natural part of the process. Success comes to those who stick to their strategy and stay consistent in their approach, instead of letting temporary setbacks derail their long-term goals. Staying the course is not just a mindset—it’s the foundation of a successful trading journey. So we approach next week with confidence expecting better days ahead. Below are our comments for each day of this past week.
1/20/2025
Markets were closed.
1/21/2025
Daily Outlook
We forecast an up day in the market and entered our positions just before 9:35 a.m. The market initially went in our direction, but then started to pullback. We were focused on the daily target level in both SPX and SPY as our possible stop level just after 9:45 a.m. There was a very fast drop just after 9:50 a.m. and as it broke the daily target level we exited our positions for -25% in SPX and -22% in SPY. That fast drop was concerning, and why we choose to exit at this point. It just didn’t go our way, so we shake it off and look forward to what tomorrow will bring.
Aggressive Trader
We forecast an up day in the market and entered our positions just before 9:35 a.m. We exited our positions just after 9:50 a.m. for -31% in SPX and -29% in SPY. Just didn’t go our way, so we shake it off and look forward to what tomorrow will bring.
Spread Trader
We held our SPX Spread Trader position to the close for +30% ROM. Another profitable day and we look forward to what tomorrow will bring!
Late Day Trader
Due to market conditions, there was no trade for us today.
1/22/2025
Daily Outlook
We forecast a down day in the market and entered our positions at 9:35 a.m. The market initially went in our direction, but then started to head higher. We were focused on the level of 6086 in the SPX, just above the high of the day for our possible stop level just after 9:40 a.m. As the rally continued and it broke that level we exited our positions at 9:55 a.m. for -26% in SPX and -25% in SPY. It just didn’t go our way, so we shake it off and look forward to what tomorrow will bring.
Aggressive Trader
We forecast a down day in the market and entered our positions at 9:35 a.m. We exited our positions at 10:10 a.m. for -43% in SPX and -41% in SPY. Just didn’t go our way, so we shake it off and look forward to what tomorrow will bring.
Spread Trader
We held our SPX Spread Trader position to the close for +16% ROM. Another profitable day and we look forward to what tomorrow will bring!
Late Day Trader
Just after 1 p.m. we entered a put option trade. The market bounced around and we held our position. Finally, it started to drop nicely in the final 30 minutes of the trading day. Just after 3:50 p.m. we hit +30% in our option. Given the time of day, we moved our stop to about break even and waited. There was a very quick rally and as it did we exited our position just before 3:55 p.m. for -2%. Basically, a flat day for us and we look forward to what tomorrow will bring.
1/23/2025
Daily Outlook
We forecast a down day in the market and entered our positions after 9:35 a.m. The market went back and forth, holding above the daily target level in the SPX. Just after 10:05 a.m. we started using about a 30% trailing stop, but didn’t exit at the first touch of that level. However, as it started to rally again, we exited our positions just after 10:20 a.m. for -21% in SPX and -23% in SPY. It just didn’t go our way, so we shake it off and look forward to what tomorrow will bring.
Aggressive Trader
We forecast a down day in the market and entered our positions after 9:35 a.m. We exited our positions just before 10:35 a.m. for -34% in SPX and -36% in SPY. Just didn’t go our way, so we shake it off and look forward to what tomorrow will bring.
Spread Trader
We held our SPX Spread Trader position to the close for -48% ROM. Just didn’t go our way, so we shake it off and look forward to what tomorrow will bring.
Late Day Trader
Just before 1:55 p.m. we entered a put option trade. The market quickly dropped and we hit +70% in our option position, but then the drop stalled just below the strike price. This was concerning, so we started using about a 50% trailing stop, and as it started to rally, we exited our position just after 2:20 p.m. for +20%. Another profitable day for us and we look forward to what tomorrow will bring.
1/24/2025
Daily Outlook
We forecast an up day in the market and entered our positions just before 9:35 a.m. The market went in our forecast direction rather quickly and as we hit over +50% in our position, we started using about a 30% trailing stop, As the market pulled back, we exited our positions just after 9:45 a.m. for +21% in SPX and +19% in SPY. Another profitable day and we look forward to what next week will bring!
Aggressive Trader
We forecast an up day in the market and entered our positions just before 9:35 a.m. We exited our positions at 9:55 a.m. for +5% in SPX and +8% in SPY. Another profitable day and we look forward to what next week will bring!
Spread Trader
We held our SPX Spread Trader position to the close for -58% ROM. Just didn’t go our way, so we shake it off and look forward to what next week will bring.
Late Day Trader
Due to market conditions, there was no trade for us today.