Monday Sep 15: Get Ready to Trade: Key S&P Futures Prep for Our AM Room
Monday September 15, 2025
Micros Trader’s AM Briefing set the tone for a high-risk trading week, emphasizing preparation ahead of contract rollover, the FOMC announcement, and options expiration. The session advised heightened risk management and reinforced bullish market structure, particularly in the ES and ENQ indices. A devotional segment underscored the importance of seeking counsel and avoiding ego-driven isolation in decision-making. Practical steps like journaling, reading market classics, and community engagement were recommended as tools for improving trading outcomes.Opening Remarks
Micros Trader opened the AM Briefing with an overview of the weekly trading schedule and key themes. The purpose of this session is to prepare traders mentally and tactically for a high-risk, high-reward market week. The AM Briefing is held live on Zoom each day, 15 minutes before the market opens. It includes new trade ideas, reminders for managing trades, and concludes with a short devotional.
Weekly Schedule and Important Dates
Here's what to expect for the week:
- Monday: "Lunch and Learn" session.
- Daily: A devotional segment closes each AM Briefing.
- Tonight: The Battle Plan will be unlocked, with updated strong levels to prepare for tomorrow’s live YouTube trading.
Micros Trader encouraged participants to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell on YouTube for real-time updates. He also promoted the Free Foundations Course, calling it “trading 101 with some great advice on prop trading.” The course introduces foundational trade setups, such as the first bounce level, second bounce level, and third bounce level. A 7-day free trial of the Battle Plan membership is also currently available.
Market Outlook: A “Level 10” Week
- Monday & Tuesday: Contract rollover. Micros Trader warned this often results in “weird candles” and a difficult environment for clean trading. His advice: “Have a stop in or just don’t trade.”
- Tuesday: Retail sales announcement—described as “real important” for gauging consumer behavior. The AM Briefing and live trading session will run that morning.
- Wednesday Afternoon: The FOMC federal funds rate announcement. While many expect a rate drop, there’s a chance it won’t happen. Micros Trader emphasized that this session will be streamed not necessarily for trading purposes, but “for the love of price action.”
- Thursday: The day before OPEX and quad witching—two events that often bring added volatility.
- Friday: Official OPEX day.
Micros Trader pressed traders to be proactive with their risk management this week. He asked:
Essay Format Questions
- What is your plan this week to trade?
- Is it no trade, one trade per day and done, or a certain number of points loss limit?
- How are you going to limit your risk?
Market Trend Analysis
Turning to market structure, Micros Trader said September has been “up, up, and away, baby.” The daily trend line continues to favor the bulls, and he made no secret of his bias: “You are still long—bulls baby, bulls. There's nothing else to say.”
Unless the market starts breaking daily lows or moves below trend line support, the bullish trend remains dominant. He warned that shorting this type of market leads to “a hard life” since price “can keep going way longer than you have the patience to keep trading.”
Micros Trader also reviewed other indices:
- ENQ: Took out its all-time high last night by two ticks.
- Dow and Russell: Also show no strong signs of weakness.
"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." – Proverbs 15:22
Daily Devotional: The Power of Counsel
The devotional centered on Proverbs 15:22. Micros Trader reflected on the necessity of seeking wisdom in trading. He challenged the lone-wolf mentality:
“There's a temptation, a belief, that we can figure it all out by ourselves. That belief is often rooted in ego.”
Markets are too complex and humbling for one person to master. He encouraged traders to seek counsel—not just tips—but deep insight from diverse traders. His suggestions:
- Read books like the Jesse Livermore biography and Market Wizards series.
- Find your tribe: a trading community aligned with your goals and mindset.
- Journal regularly: ideally outside market hours for clearer reflection.
He shared that he personally pays for outside counsel and integrates their feedback into the AM Briefing and Battle Plan. He encouraged public journaling as another way to receive diverse, constructive input.
FAQ: Wisdom, Risk, and Strategy in Futures Trading
1. What is the core philosophy behind successful trading, according to the sources?
The core philosophy revolves around the idea that wisdom and success in trading are not found in isolation. The sources heavily emphasise the importance of seeking counsel, collaborating with a community, and diversifying sources of wisdom. Trying to navigate the complex and dynamic markets as a "lone wolf" is deemed foolish and often leads to failure. Instead, traders are encouraged to build a "panel of advisors," which can include mentors, trading communities, and even diverse analytical perspectives, to scrutinise plans, learn from mistakes, and benefit from collective experience.
2. What practical resources and strategies does Microtrader.com offer to its members?
Microtrader.com offers a comprehensive suite of resources and strategies. These include daily AM briefings, live trading sessions on Zoom (and sometimes YouTube) 15 minutes before the market opens, and daily devotionals. Members also gain access to a "Foundations Course" for new traders, outlining core strategies like "bounce levels." A "battle plan" with updated "strong levels" is unlocked nightly to prepare for the next day's trading. Additionally, the platform fosters a community where members can get feedback on their charts and benefit from the collective wisdom of other traders and the speaker's own advisors. There's also a 7-day free trial for those interested in membership.
3. How does Microtrader.com help new traders, and what specific concepts do they teach?
For new traders, Microtrader.com provides a "100% free Foundations Course" which acts as "trading 101." This course offers insights into their trading philosophy and practical tips, particularly concerning prop trading. As members progress, they are taught how to identify and utilise "first bounce level," "second bounce level," and "third bounce level," and how to integrate these into an "end of the day chart" to reveal core daily trading strategies. The speaker also personally grades members' charts, ensuring they are correctly applying the concepts and not learning in isolation.
4. What is the significance of "counsel" in trading, and how does it differ from just getting "tips"?
"Counsel" in trading is presented as a profound and multifaceted concept, distinct from merely obtaining quick tips or predictions. True counsel involves seeking wisdom from individuals who have successfully navigated the trading path, learning from their past errors, and submitting one's own trading plans for the critical review of experienced voices. It's about surrounding oneself with multiple perspectives – a "panel of advisors" – that can confirm or challenge one's narrative, leading to a more strategic analysis. This can involve joining a community, finding a mentor, discussing strategies with disciplined traders, and even diversifying one's sources of market analysis (e.g., fundamental, technical, scalping, swing trading). The aim is to increase the probability of success by humbling oneself to collective wisdom before execution.
5. What is the outlook for the upcoming trading week, and what specific events should traders be aware of?
The upcoming trading week is described as a "level 10 week" and a "monster week" full of "landmines," implying high volatility and significant risk. Key events include contract rollover on Monday and Tuesday, which often leads to "weird candles" and an unideal trading environment. Tuesday is particularly important due to the release of retail sales data, which offers insights into consumer behaviour. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) federal funds rate announcement is expected on Wednesday afternoon, with the possibility of a rate drop. Thursday is the day before option expiration and "quad witching," as well as being the day after FOMC. Friday marks OPEX (option expiration). Given these events, traders are strongly advised to have a robust plan for risk management, such as setting stops, limiting trades, or defining acceptable loss limits.
6. What market trends and indicators are currently being observed, and what is the overall market sentiment?
The overall market sentiment is bullish, despite potential concerns for short-sellers who are described as "having a hard life." September has seen an "up up and away" trend. Key observations include ENQ taking out its all-time high, and while other indices like Dow and Russell are within previous day ranges, they are all trading above their rising VWAP (Volume Weighted Average Price), indicating a lack of bearish momentum. The speaker points to a specific long trade called out last Tuesday (between 94 and 92, with a stop at 50% five points behind RTH) which is still considered active, reinforcing the bullish stance. The current bullish trend is only expected to change if daily lows are consistently taken out or if a significant daily trend line is challenged and broken.
7. What personal development practices are recommended for traders to enhance their skills and decision-making?
Beyond seeking external counsel, several personal development practices are recommended. Traders are encouraged to "read books," with specific mentions of works by Jesse Livermore and "Marketing Wizard books," to gain historical wisdom and insights. Finding one's "tribe" – a suitable trading community that aligns with their style – is also vital. Perhaps most importantly, "journaling" is highlighted as a powerful tool. By reviewing one's journal outside the pressure of live trading, a trader can gain a clear, objective perspective, effectively acting as their "own counselor" and identifying areas for improvement with a "clean set of eyes." These practices aim to foster self-awareness, continuous learning, and strategic reflection.
8. What spiritual or philosophical undertones are present in the trading advice?
The trading advice is deeply intertwined with spiritual and philosophical undertones, particularly drawing from the book of Proverbs. The daily devotional explicitly references Proverbs 15:22 ("plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed"), highlighting Solomon's wisdom regarding the dangers of isolation and the benefits of multiple perspectives. This translates into a call for humility, acknowledging that "the markets are too complex, too dynamic, and too humbling for one person to master alone." The "prayer" further reinforces this, asking for a humble independent spirit, discernment for good advice, and the humility to receive correction, all to ensure trading plans succeed through the "wisdom of many counselors." The underlying message is that wisdom, both secular and spiritual, is collaborative, not solitary, and that success is often a byproduct of humble, open-minded engagement with others.
- Follow Micros Trader on Twitter for Intraday Insights and Chart Commentary
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- Join the Micros Trader Community via YouTube Post
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