Are SPY and QQQ above their 21-day trend line? When both are above, the broad market is healthy and you look for trades. When either falls below, reduce risk or stop new trades entirely.
The VIX measures market fear. Below 20 = calm, trade normally. Above 25 = reduce risk. Above 30 = move to cash immediately and wait for conditions to settle.
Which sectors are leading the market right now? Focus your stock picks in the top sectors. Avoid stocks in the bottom sectors completely โ the sector headwind works against you even on great charts.
These government announcements can move the whole market 1โ3% in seconds. Tick any that are scheduled today โ then wait at least 1 hour after the announcement before placing any new order.
Open your brokerage and quickly scan your watchlist stocks. Are most of them looking strong and setting up? Or are most gapping down and breaking? This tells you the market's short-term mood today.
Paste ticker symbols from your Fidelity Screener A or C results. Separated by commas, spaces, or new lines. The app auto-fetches price data and checks Steps 1โ3 for each.
| When Your Trade Reaches | Do This Immediately |
|---|---|
| Entry โ +1R | Do nothing. Keep stop at original level. Trade needs room to breathe. |
| +1.5R | Move stop to breakeven (your exact entry price). You cannot lose money on this trade now. |
| +2R โ TARGET 1 | Sell 50โ60% of position. Move stop to breakeven. Lock in real profit. |
| +3R โ TARGET 2 | Sell another 25โ30%. Trail remaining with 10-day EMA. |
| Remaining shares | Hold while price stays above 10-day EMA. Exit on daily close below EMA. |
| 10+ days, no movement | Exit entirely. Stock is not working. Free capital for better opportunity. |