Mon AM Briefing: Preparing ES Emini and MES Micros Traders To Trade In Our S&P Trading Room
Mon AM Briefing: Pre-Market Strategy for ES Futures Traders in Our Live Room
Traders entered Monday facing a complex macro environment, with the week packed with FOMC, contract rollover, and options expiration activity. Despite geopolitical tensions, equity futures rallied, highlighting the market’s ability to defy news-driven expectations. The session emphasized discipline and preparation, with the educator encouraging a clear, minimalist approach focused on just two quality entries for the week. Key technical levels were discussed, including a new weekly gap and the importance of holding unadjusted reference prices across contracts.Opening Remarks
Good morning, everybody. Welcome to the AM Briefing for Monday, June 16th, episode number 451, brought to you by Microrad.com — where together, we trade better. We are an ES/MES futures trading room.
If you're looking for a group of traders to trade with, check us out at Microstrader.com.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Essay Format Questions
- What is your trade plan for this week?
- Are you entering the week with clarity or uncertainty?
Weekly Reminders
Good morning, Mr. Cliff. A few reminders:
- The strong levels were updated this morning with the new contract change and the 52.25 displacement adjustment, as explained in last night's brief video.
- Today is Monday, so we'll be doing our Lunch and Learn at noon Eastern. Join us inside the Discord group for that.
- We will be going live periodically this week — definitely for the FOMC. Other times TBD, so make sure you're subscribed with the notification bell on.
Make sure to get your hands on the free foundations course. It’ll give you insight into how we think, how we view the market, and how we approach trading. If that resonates with you, maybe consider becoming a member.
You’ll learn the three primary bounce levels on the chart where price consistently reacts. You’ll also learn how to mark them on an end-of-day chart, leading to two to twelve potential trade entries daily. Your levels will match mine, and you can even submit your chart — I’ll personally review and grade it.
Charting and Roll Over Notes
Looking at the rollover again — Friday was lighter than expected in volume. I thought we'd see more, but that will likely come in today and tomorrow. TradingView has already rolled over to the new contract, so that’s what we’ll be using.
Whether you're prop trading or using a small cash account, it doesn't matter — we'll be using the September contract in today’s live Zoom sessions.
This week is packed — it’s a level 10 week. You’ve been notified. You’ve been served.
Today is relatively quiet, aside from the manufacturing index in about 12 minutes. Tomorrow brings retail sales, and Wednesday is the big one: FOMC. That’s the main event. I plan to be live during that. It’s always exciting to watch the fireworks and stay out of the way.
Now, Thursday may seem quiet — but that’s a lie. It’s the day after FOMC, which can be just as volatile. And it’s also the day before options expiration. So don’t believe the calendar — Thursday matters.
We’ll be live a few times this week, so hit that notification bell if you'd like to join us.
You can also watch archived sessions to see how we perform.
Trade Plan This Week
What’s my trade plan this week? Honestly — two good entries. Not two per day — just two for the week. That’s all I’m aiming for.
Yesterday was Father’s Day, so I wasn’t fully active on the charts. I was watching, and under most circumstances, I would’ve taken a long entry at 6001.8 or 69. But given the day and the geopolitical tensions, I chose not to. I even posted in the group that I wouldn’t trade it.
I was with family, and the Israel situation had me cautious. Sure, it could’ve been a great trade — but sometimes, it's okay to sit one out. Valid reasons are still valid, regardless of what price does.
Weekly Gap and Technical Levels
Last night, we opened a new weekly gap. I charted it off the one-minute timeframe — easier to draw that way. Hovering over the first candle, the open was at 6001. Oddly, the first candle is colored incorrectly on my chart. It should be green (or white), but it shows as blue. I don’t know if it’s my settings or TradingView.
Opening price was 6001, and the close of that candle was 6030.50. That gives us our new week opening gap. It's important to note that we have already pierced back through that area — and when price revisits it, that could be significant.
The RTH low is untested — so let’s mark it that way. Are we gapping up from the close? Technically yes, but still inside range — so to me, it’s not a true gap up unless we open above the prior high. And we’re getting close.
It’s a bit disappointing — I don’t chase highs. I don’t short highs. If we keep climbing, there may be nothing for me to do.
War tends to rally markets — it’s profitable, as grim as that is. Weapons are needed, and big money is involved. It’s odd that we’re rallying amid geopolitical instability — but the market can stay irrational longer than you can stay solvent.
Broader Market Context
Let’s take a look at other indices.
Russell is breaking out above Friday’s high. Everything is above an upward-sloping VWAP. So, in my opinion, the trade is either already long or flat.
There could be a setup if we retrace, then bounce. But preferably, I want an inventory adjustment. If I don’t get it, I’m probably sitting out. I’m only looking for quality trades.
Could I catch a liquidity shift and reversal? Maybe. But I’m not hoping — I’m reacting to what I see.
Final Thoughts
Our end-of-day chart will still give us 2–12 trade opportunities. A core strategy trader takes those.
Let’s see how it unfolds.
All right guys, I’m at the 11-minute mark. I’m going to hop off and see how many charters are live.
Market opens in 15 minutes. Good luck trading today. I’ll see you soon.
ADDITIONAL LINKS:
- Day Traders Blog: MES/ES Chart Notes, Journals, and Strategy Posts
- Official CME Group Page for Micro E-mini Equity Index Futures
- CME Trading Simulator – Practice ES & MES Without Risk
- YouTube Community Tab – Announcements & Trade Commentary
- AM BRIEFING Archive: May 30th ES/MES Technical Breakdown
- Emini Trading Room: Pre-Market Strategy for ES Futures
- MES Micros Blog: Monday Prep & Futures Bias
- Rumble Video: ES/MES Technical Analysis & Scalping Strategy
- YouTube Community Post: Market Notes & Strategy Talk
Futures Trader FAQ
Q: Should I adjust the 2025 opening price and all-time high for the new contract?
A: No, both the 2025 opening price and the unadjusted all-time high should remain unchanged across contracts.
Q: How many trades should I aim for this week?
A: The recommended focus is on finding two high-quality trades for the entire week, not multiple daily entries.
Q: What is a “level 10” trading week?
A: A “level 10” week includes major events such as FOMC, contract rollover, and options expiration — all of which can significantly affect market behavior.
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