Wednesday August 27, 2025

Q: What is the 'AM briefing' and what is its purpose?

The 'AM briefing' is a video presentation by microsrader.com that aims to help traders improve their skills. It provides daily insights, including a 'tip of the day,' a 'scripture' for inspiration, and an analysis of current market conditions and potential trading strategies. The core purpose is to equip traders with a battle plan and key levels to navigate the trading day.

Q: What is the significance of 'small opening ranges' in trading, according to the briefing?

The briefing defines a 'small opening range' as the first 30 minutes of trading being 15 points or less, especially 13 points or less. The 'tip of the day' advises traders to avoid trading on such days. The rationale is that these conditions make trading more difficult, and it's better to conserve 'mental and emotional equity' for days with easier trading opportunities.

Q: How does the briefing identify and use 'strong levels' in trading?

'Strong levels' are horizontal lines published before the opening candle, typically on Sunday night, that are considered the most important levels for the week. These levels, an indicator available to members, are high-time frame points used to frame entries for the daily 'battle plan.' They help predict where price is most likely to be attracted and guide trading decisions.

Q: What is the 'battle plan' and how does it assist traders?

The 'battle plan' is a free resource published each night that maps out potential trading entries and targets. It uses the 'strong levels' to show where price is most likely to move. For example, it might suggest a long position if price goes above a strong level or a short position if it loses a certain level, often identifying a 'bull bear line' for the week.

Q: What is the key strategy of 'adding to winning trades' highlighted in the briefing?

'Adding to winning trades' is presented as a cornerstone strategy within the microsrader.com group. The presenter gives an example of a trader who added to his long position after being 36 points in profit, making his additional contracts 'risk-free.' This strategy is highly encouraged, especially once a trader is 20 points or more in profit, as it's considered a smart way to increase returns with reduced risk.

Q: How does the briefing interpret trading within a 'range' and what actions are recommended?

When price is trading within a 'range,' the briefing suggests specific strategies. If the price breaks above a range, it could signal a 'retouch and a long off of that.' However, if it comes back into the range, the target becomes the 'bottom part of that range.' The presenter notes that within a range, especially at the top end, it's a better place to look for a short, although if already long with added contracts, the perfect exit might be the all-time high.

Q: What is the trading advice when the market is near an 'all-time high'?

When the market is '20 points or so from the all-time high,' the briefing advises extreme caution for shorting. The presenter states this is their 'least favorite place to trade.' Instead, the recommended position is either 'already long or flat.' The underlying principle is to 'trade the levels as they develop when they develop when we're live.'

In Wednesday’s AM Briefing, MicrosTrader.com emphasized disciplined trading with a focus on clear setups and capital preservation. The platform’s core strategy of adding to winning trades was highlighted, particularly when the position is already 20 points in profit to minimize risk. With Nvidia earnings on the horizon and indices nearing all-time highs, traders were urged to avoid initiating new trades in elevated zones. Emphasis was placed on respecting key levels, managing emotional capital, and adapting live to evolving market structure.

☀️ AM BRIEFING

Opening Remarks

"Man does not see what the Lord sees, for man sees what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart." — 1 Samuel

This sets a reflective tone for the session and encourages traders to look beyond the surface-level price action to understand deeper market intentions and maintain a humble mindset.

Micros Trader also shares a guiding mantra for the day: “If it’s not easy, I don’t want it.” This phrase reinforces the importance of trading only in clear, favorable conditions. Avoiding ambiguous or difficult setups preserves both capital and emotional energy.

Core Strategy: Add to Your Winners

A recurring principle in the Micros Trader community is: add to your winning trades. This approach is not just tactical but a point of pride. Justin, a community member, exemplifies this idea with a recent successful trade.

Micros Trader explains the ideal condition for scaling in: once the trade is 20 points or more in profit, adding contracts can be done in a risk-free manner. That is, the added contracts are covered by unrealized gains, minimizing additional exposure while maximizing potential returns.

Market Analysis and Key Levels

Micros Trader emphasizes the use of “strong levels”—high time frame levels published weekly before the opening candle. These are horizontal lines drawn on charts that serve as structural guides throughout the week.

These strong levels frame the day’s entries and exits and are central to the daily battle plan, which outlines the areas price is likely to gravitate toward. For example:

“If we get above this strong level, we're looking for a small long.”
“If we lose this level, we’re likely to fall down to what I consider the bull/bear line for the week.”

Range Rules

When price is consolidating in a tight area, Micros Trader refers to range rules to determine bias.

If price breaks above the range and retests it, a long opportunity is often viable.
If price reenters the range and begins “lading” (a coined Micros term for failing to push further), then the target becomes the lower part of the range.

Small opening ranges (under 15 points in the first 30 minutes) are low-probability. Save your mental capital for better conditions.

Trading Strategies and Tips

One key piece of advice today is caution with small opening ranges. Micros Trader defines a small opening range as 15 points or less in the first 30 minutes, especially when it’s 13 points or smaller.

In these conditions, the advice is simple:

“Just move on with your day. Save your mental and emotional equity for a day where the trading is easier.”

Another tip is in managing trades around major news events, specifically Nvidia earnings coming after the close.

Micros Trader advises traders to avoid holding runners after the close, as the market could move significantly based on the earnings release.

Be extremely cautious when trading within 20 points of the all-time high. Preferred posture is already long or flat.

Market Position and Tactical Guidance

All major indices (ES, ENQ, Dow, Russell) are trading above their previous day’s highs and remain in the upper distribution.

With the all-time high in sight, Micros Trader urges caution:

“When we’re 20 points or so away from the all-time high, this is my least favorite place to trade.”
The recommendation here is to be already long or flat, not initiating new trades aggressively.

Instead, the instruction is to trade the levels as they develop, when they develop, when we’re live.

Membership and Resources

MicrosTrader.com continues to offer key resources:

The Strong Levels Indicator is a members-only tool, published each week.
The Daily Battle Plan is free and can be accessed on the homepage. It maps out potential trade setups for the day based on interaction with the strong levels.

❓ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the "AM briefing" and what is its purpose?
The "AM briefing" is a video presentation by microsrader.com that aims to help traders improve their skills. It provides daily insights, including a "tip of the day," a "scripture" for inspiration, and an analysis of current market conditions and potential trading strategies. The core purpose is to equip traders with a battle plan and key levels to navigate the trading day.

What is the significance of "small opening ranges" in trading, according to the briefing?
The briefing defines a "small opening range" as the first 30 minutes of trading being 15 points or less, especially 13 points or less. The "tip of the day" advises traders to avoid trading on such days. The rationale is that these conditions make trading more difficult, and it's better to conserve "mental and emotional equity" for days with easier trading opportunities. The presenter explicitly states, "if it's not easy I don't want it."

How does the briefing identify and use "strong levels" in trading?
"Strong levels" are horizontal lines published before the opening candle, typically on Sunday night, that are considered the most important levels for the week. These levels, an indicator available to members, are high-time frame points used to frame entries for the daily "battle plan." They help predict where price is most likely to be attracted and guide trading decisions.

What is the "battle plan" and how does it assist traders?
The "battle plan" is a free resource published each night that maps out potential trading entries and targets. It uses the "strong levels" to show where price is most likely to move. For example, it might suggest a long position if price goes above a strong level or a short position if it loses a certain level, often identifying a "bull bear line" for the week.

What is the key strategy of "adding to winning trades" highlighted in the briefing?
"Adding to winning trades" is presented as a cornerstone strategy within the microsrader.com group. The presenter gives an example of a trader who added to his long position after being 36 points in profit, making his additional contracts "risk-free." This strategy is highly encouraged, especially once a trader is 20 points or more in profit, as it's considered a smart way to increase returns with reduced risk.

How does the briefing interpret trading within a "range" and what actions are recommended?
When price is trading within a "range," the briefing suggests specific strategies. If the price breaks above a range, it could signal a "retouch and a long off of that." However, if it comes back into the range, the target becomes the "bottom part of that range." The presenter notes that within a range, especially at the top end, it's a better place to look for a short, although if already long with added contracts, the perfect exit might be the all-time high.

What is the trading advice when the market is near an "all-time high"?
When the market is "20 points or so from the all-time high," the briefing advises extreme caution for shorting. The presenter states this is their "least favorite place to trade." Instead, the recommended position is either "already long or flat." The underlying principle is to "trade the levels as they develop when they develop when we're live."

What is the role of news events, such as Nvidia's earnings report, in the trading day?
News events, like Nvidia's earnings report mentioned in the briefing, are identified as potential catalysts for significant market movement. While the daily trading plan might not revolve directly around these events, traders are warned to "be careful having a runner after the close" due to the potential for "pretty big" price swings based on earnings and expectations. This highlights the need for awareness and caution around scheduled economic announcements.