Monday Jan 12: Pre-Market Strategy for ES Futures Traders in Our Live Room
ES EMINI TRADING SYSTEM
Monday January 12, 2026
Traders entered the January 11th session facing heightened uncertainty ahead of a critical CPI release, with prevailing sentiment skewed toward caution. Overnight price action reinforced a bearish outlook as the market broke below key support levels and demonstrated weak buying interest. Technical indicators, including a downward sloping VWAP and range-bound price behavior, suggested the path of least resistance remained to the downside. Strategically, traders were advised to only consider rule-based long entries with immediate confirmation, while a specific short scenario was outlined as a high-probability opportunity under defined conditions.📖 AM Briefing #676: Day Before CPI - Cautious Trading & Overnight Battle Plan Review
Monday, January 12th brings us to the eve of CPI data, a time for heightened caution and disciplined execution. George shares overnight battle plan results, emphasizes risk management during uncertain times, and reminds traders why sometimes the best trade is taking profits quickly and getting out when conditions aren't perfect.
- Weekly Scripture - John 14:23: "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word and my father will love him, and he will come to him and make our home with him." A beautiful reminder that keeping God's word brings His presence into our lives and homes.
- Weekly Reflection Question: What one decision would you like to take back? What would you do instead? This isn't about beating yourself up - it's about mental reps. Training yourself to do what you want to do when you're supposed to do it. Review your mistakes, learn from them, and rehearse better responses.
- Overnight Battle Plan #1 Execution: George took a short at the bull bear line after price couldn't reclaim the strong level. Banked 6 points total (took two contracts off at 3 points each), moved stop to minus 5 points (one tick above the wick). Ironically, if he'd stuck with his original plan, he'd have ridden the entire move down - but that's trading. Sometimes you make the "wrong" right decision.
- Battle Plan #2 - Fair Value Gap Trade: Beautiful setup but it didn't clear the strong range cleanly like George wanted. He reversed to long at the bull bear line (75.25) but killed the trade after about 6 minutes when it didn't give him the quick "touch and go" reaction he needed. Up 6 points for the night, and comfortable walking away when conditions weren't perfect. Day before CPI is NOT the time to sit in marginal setups.
- Battle Plan #3 Delivered: If you're an international member trading overnight, you caught absolute beauty - three gorgeous "came back on top" touches that worked perfectly. Touch and go moves are what you're looking for, and this delivered exactly that. Congrats to anyone who executed these.
- Market Uncertainty & Cautious Longs: Markets don't like uncertainty, and right now there's plenty - domestically and internationally. We just hit all-time highs (except QQQ/NDX), Powell's getting subpoenaed, things are heating up in Iran, and we had a monster 15-point opening candle with a ladder beyond it leaving a fair value gap. Bottom line: Be trepidatiously cautious with longs. They need to work QUICKLY or get out. This isn't the week to marry a position.
- Current Market Structure: We've taken back Friday's entire move. Everyone except Dow is inside previous day range with downward sloping VWAPs across the board. It "feels like" a down day, but that doesn't give you a trade. George would love to see a pop back above, then a slam back under the bull bear line for another short targeting the 2026 RTH opening price and below.
- Tomorrow's CPI Watch Party: We'll be live tomorrow morning for CPI release - come join the watch party and we'll be watching the ES chart together on YouTube. Today has no major news events, but tomorrow is the show. Mark it in your journaling software as "day before CPI" and trade accordingly.
- Monday Reminder at MicroStrader.com: Free Foundations course available, plus 7-day free trial to the battle plan and strong levels, AND a one-day Zoom pass. Better than free! If you become a full member, earn your badges for the first three bounce levels, then create your end-of-day chartist badge showing where all core strategy entries existed. Tonight the battle plan unlocks for EVERYBODY - you'll see exactly where we're interested in longs and shorts.
- Get Tomorrow's Trades Tonight: Visit microtrader.com and click battle to access your battle plan.
Executive Overview: Prevailing Sentiment and Core Thesis
Understanding the dominant market sentiment is a cornerstone of strategic decision-making, particularly on the day preceding a high-impact data release like the Consumer Price Index (CPI). A foundational market principle holds that the market does not like uncertainty, and the current environment is defined by it. This context provides the essential lens through which all tactical opportunities must be viewed. The overarching sentiment is one of pervasive caution, creating a landscape where long positions must be approached with significant trepidation and a demand for immediate validation.
This cautious sentiment is not unfounded; it is driven by a confluence of technical, economic, and geopolitical factors that are actively weighing on the market:
- Imminent CPI Data: The market is in a holding pattern ahead of tomorrow's pivotal CPI report, an event known for its potential to inject significant volatility.
- Recent Market Highs: Most major indices recently achieved all-time highs (excluding the NDX), a technical position that can naturally attract profit-taking and introduce resistance.
- Geopolitical Instability: External uncertainty is mounting, with commentary specifically noting that events are "getting really hot in Iran."
- Domestic Headwinds: Recent domestic news, including a subpoena being issued for Fed Chairman Powell, adds another layer of unpredictability to the economic and political landscape.
This thesis of underlying weakness and the need for caution was clearly validated by the bearish price action observed throughout the overnight trading session.
Analysis of Overnight Price Action: A Case Study in Bearish Momentum
A detailed review of the overnight session is critical for establishing the day's initial bias and identifying the key inflection points that will influence regular trading hours. The recent overnight activity provided a clear demonstration of weak buying conviction and emerging bearish momentum.
The session began with a "monster 15-point candle" on the open, which immediately left a significant "fair value gap." This price action served as an initial warning to be extremely careful with any long exposure. Following this opening, the market proceeded to descend, ultimately breaking below the key "bull bear line" with notable ease.
This environment provided compelling case studies in risk management. A long setup ("Battle Plan number two") failed to meet the strict criteria required in a cautious market, as it did not produce the desired "touch and go" reaction and failed to decisively "clear this strong range." This trade was exited quickly—for a breakeven result in Micros Trader’s case, or a small, manageable loss for others—because it failed to meet the strict criteria for immediate confirmation.
In contrast, a subsequent long setup ("Battle Plan trade three") provided a textbook example of the ideal "touch and go" trade that aligns with the current market's character. The price action demonstrated a quick and decisive move away from a key support level, reinforcing that even in a bearish-leaning environment, rule-based long positions can succeed if they exhibit immediate strength. Despite this successful setup, the overnight session as a whole set a bearish tone by demonstrating a distinct lack of broad buying conviction and a vulnerability to downward pressure.
Key Technical Indicators and Market Structure
To ground the prevailing market sentiment in objective data, it is essential to assess the key technical indicators that define the current landscape. The technical structure reinforces the cautious outlook and suggests that the path of least resistance may be lower in the immediate term.
The following observations are critical to the current market posture:
- Market Position: With the exception of the Dow, the major indices are trading inside the previous day's (Friday's) range. This consolidation indicates a lack of directional conviction and a pause in the prior uptrend.
- VWAP (Volume-Weighted Average Price): A downward sloping VWAP is observable across the indices. This is a classic technical sign of prevailing bearish momentum, indicating that sellers are in control on an intraday, volume-adjusted basis.
- Price Action vs. Key Levels: The market has already demonstrated significant weakness by breaking below the "bull bear line" with relative ease. Furthermore, price has already taken out both the "overnight low and the RTH low," signaling that sellers have successfully pushed below key short-term support levels.
Synthesizing these technical points, the evidence suggests that downside momentum is the dominant force heading into the regular session. This technical picture provides the framework for the strategic playbook that follows.
Strategic Playbook for the Pre-CPI Session
Given the cautious sentiment and bearish technical posture, a clear, rules-based approach is essential to navigate the session effectively. Any engagement with the market must adhere to a strict set of criteria designed to mitigate risk in an uncertain environment. This section outlines the specific conditions under which long or short positions should be considered.
Approach to Long Positions: The Mandate for Caution
Due to the overarching uncertainty, any consideration of long trades must be governed by a highly disciplined and defensive mindset. The burden of proof is squarely on the buyers, and traders should operate with a low tolerance for ambiguity.
- Requirement for Quick Confirmation: Any new long position must "work out quickly." The desired entry is a "touch and go" reaction at a key support level, where price shows immediate strength and moves in the intended direction without hesitation.
- Low Tolerance for Indecision: If a trade does not perform as expected almost immediately, the default strategy is to be "quickly out." In this pre-CPI environment, it is far better to accept a small, manageable loss or a breakeven exit than to hold a struggling position that requires hope to become profitable.
- Contextual Awareness: All decisions must be filtered through the current macro context. As the commentary emphasizes, it is crucial to "know where you're at, not only on the chart, but in space and time." The most important piece of that context today is that it is the "day before CPI."
Potential Short Scenario
While the overall bias is cautious, a specific, high-probability short setup has been identified. This opportunity is contingent on a precise sequence of price action, which would confirm seller control. The potential trade involves waiting for a "little pop back above" a key resistance level, which is then decisively rejected and "slammed back under the bull bear line." This "look above and fail" pattern would serve as a robust signal that sellers have absorbed the buying attempt and are reasserting control. Should this scenario unfold, the primary targets for the short trade would be the key prior session's RTH opening price and below.
Ultimately, the day before a major data release demands patience. A disciplined plan must be adhered to, and capital should only be deployed when a high-probability setup, conforming to these strict rules, materializes.
COMMON QUESTIONS FOR ES FUTURES TRADERS
What is the “bull/bear line” in Micros Trader’s methodology?
A: The bull/bear line is a predefined intraday price level used to determine directional bias. When price is trading above this level, the market is considered to be in bullish territory; trading below it shifts the bias bearish. It's a dynamic pivot based on structure, not a fixed level.
Why does Micros Trader emphasize “touch and go” setups?
A: “Touch and go” setups are important because they reflect strong, immediate buyer or seller conviction. In high-risk environments like pre-CPI sessions, waiting for these quick confirmations reduces exposure to chop and false signals.
How does VWAP factor into daily trade decisions?
A: VWAP (Volume-Weighted Average Price) provides a baseline for intraday price value. A downward sloping VWAP signals seller control, while an upward slope suggests buyers are dominant. It is a key tool in assessing whether price is being accepted or rejected in real time.
What does Micros Trader mean by “know where you're at in space and time”?
A: This refers to situational awareness — understanding the broader macro context (such as being the day before CPI), time of day, and price location relative to recent structure. This awareness prevents traders from taking setups in inappropriate or low-probability areas.
Should I trade on the day before major economic news?
A: Trading the day before major news like CPI requires extreme caution. Price action tends to be thin, erratic, and susceptible to fakeouts. Micros Trader recommends only taking rule-based trades that show immediate confirmation, or standing aside altogether.
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