Tuesday Jan 6: Preparing ES Emini and MES Micros Traders To Trade In Our S&P Trading Room
BEST ES EMINI SETUPS
Tuesday January 6, 2026
U.S. equity futures opened the week with a notable divergence between the Dow Jones and Nasdaq, prompting traders to adopt a cautious yet bullish stance. While the Dow surged to record highs, the tech-heavy Nasdaq remained in consolidation, raising concerns about broader market confirmation. Micros Trader emphasized disciplined patience, especially after a breach of the prior RTH low signaled the potential for a healthy pullback. Traders were advised to await high-probability entry zones aligned with a pre-mapped Battle Plan, while keeping an eye on upcoming JOLTS and NFP data releases.
📖 AM Briefing Overview & Key Points
This morning's briefing covers two activated battle plan trades from overnight, current market positioning near all-time highs, and important reminders about when to short uptrends. Both battle plan trades worked beautifully for those trading the overnight session, and we're positioned well heading into today's session with JOLTS tomorrow and NFP on Friday.
- This Week's Scripture - 2 Chronicles 7:14: "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my faith and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." What a beautiful promise to start our week.
- Battle Plan Unlocked & Ready: The battle plan was unlocked last night and is available right now at microstrader.com. Click "battle plan" to access the latest mappings, price levels, and trade setups. Each evening's review includes audio narration you can speed up and listen to while reviewing the charts - super convenient for your commute or prep time.
- Both Battle Plan Trades Activated Overnight: Battle Plan Trade #1 was a micro pullback long above 69.40, and Battle Plan Trade #2 was a trap-the-trader-long setup above 35 (international session). Both worked beautifully. If you traded overnight, you could very well be done for the day. The strong range reclaim/retest pattern played out perfectly for Trade #2.
- When Can You Short an Uptrend?: This is a question you've got to have an answer to. Yesterday on Zoom, I gave three answers, and one key approach is to short above current price where you anticipate price will likely come back in. For example, yesterday I mentioned if forced to take a short, I'd short 62 inside our strong range with a stop just above it. That trade worked beautifully and eventually took out the RTH low overnight.
- Market Structure - New All-Time Highs Everywhere: The Dow made an incredible move to new all-time highs yesterday. We're basically in the upper distribution across the board. The only outlier? NQ had the tiniest inside day ever and just couldn't get it going. But importantly, it did stay above the halfback - not a huge win, but certainly a win for the bulls in my humble opinion.
- NQ Positioning & What to Watch: I'm keeping NQ on Friday's high/low/halfback because yesterday's inside day doesn't matter as much as that key level. We're challenging yesterday's halfback but well above the previous day's halfback. Is this bearish? Not yet. My concern would be if we come back and attack this level again - that's when I'll be watching for the next battle plan trade opportunity.
- News Drivers This Week: Not much today. Tomorrow brings JOLTS data, and then Friday is the big one - non-farm payroll. Plan accordingly and remember that these high-impact events can create volatility. Have your battle plan ready and don't chase.
- Weekly Battle Plan Performance Reminder: We typically get one battle plan trade per week that goes 100 points. Last week we literally had TWO mapped out - one short and one long. The long hit 96 points so far (I'm not going to split hairs over 4 points). These setups work when you trust the process and manage them properly.
- Next High Probability Trade Coming: The next battle plan trade is much further away. If we get that relief pullback from these new highs (which you'd expect), that's what I'll be waiting for - another reload trade and high probability setup around the corner. Patience pays in this business.
- Get Tomorrow's Trades Tonight: Visit microtrader.com and click battle plan to access your nightly battle plan. Join us live on YouTube and Zoom 15 minutes before the market opens if you'd like to trade with us. If you're not a member, check out the seven-day free trial - link in the description.
Opening Remarks: Current Market Posture – Strength with Divergence
The market presents a complex but clear strategic picture this morning, defined by a powerful divergence between the major indices. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is demonstrating unambiguous leadership, forging an incredible move up to create a new all-time high. In stark contrast, the tech-heavy NQ is lagging, indicative of broad market indecision. This tension between confirmed strength and consolidation is the essential backdrop for our tactical approach today.
Our overall market bias remains bullish, anchored by the Dow's strength. However, this posture is tempered with strategic caution due to the NQ's price action. Its consolidation within the "tiniest inside day ever," while managing to hold Friday's halfback, is a critical signal of non-confirmation that demands our strategic attention.
This environment highlights the necessity of a disciplined, data-driven methodology. To ground our forward-looking plan, we will now review the precise execution of our recent ES trade plans.
Performance Review: Overnight 'Battle Plan' Execution
A core tenet of our methodology is the rigorous review of prior trade plans. With the full Battle Plan unlocked for public review today, it is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate our process. This analysis is not academic; it builds conviction in our levels and provides a concrete foundation for the session ahead.
The overnight session presented two distinct, high-probability long scenarios mapped out in our 'Battle Plan'. Both were activated successfully for traders positioned to execute.
- Battle Plan Trade #1: The Micro Pullback Long
Trade Scenario: A shallow pullback entry designed to capture the immediate trend continuation.
Key Level & Logic: The plan was to long above a strong level to confirm bullish intent after a minor dip. The precise entry trigger was specified: longing above 69.40 was the ideal entry.
Outcome: This trade executed precisely as planned, offering a profitable long for active traders. As a commitment to precision, we noted in the plan that the logic was to long a strong level, not a "strong range," ensuring maximum clarity. - Battle Plan Trade #2: The Deeper Pullback Long
Trade Scenario: A setup for a deeper rotation, providing an opportunity for international members or those active in the pre-market hours.
Key Level & Logic: The strategy was to long a "reclaim retest" of the identified "strong range." The actionable trigger was clearly defined: "longing above 35 seems ideal."
Outcome: This scenario also materialized perfectly, with price reclaiming the key range, retesting it, and providing another successful long entry.
These short-term successes are consistent with the potency of our higher-timeframe strategy. Just last week, our Battle Plan mapped two major trades—a short and a long—with one delivering over 100 points and the other having gone 96 points so far. This proven track record gives us a strong strategic footing as we turn to the session ahead.
Today’s Core Thesis & Strategic Outlook
The primary strategic question for today is a direct test of the bulls' resolve. A critical development occurred overnight that frames this test: the market breached the previous Regular Trading Hours (RTH) low. Our premise was that if the bullish conviction was absolute, that low would hold. Its failure to do so is the specific event that triggers our core concern and dictates today's strategic patience.
Our thesis is that while the market remains in an upper distribution with a primary uptrend, a relief pullback is now a probable and healthy scenario. The overnight price action gives us cause to believe this pullback is underway, and our objective is to interpret this weakness correctly.
Therefore, the strategic pivot for today's session is disciplined patience. If the market continues to pull back from the highs, our plan is not to chase price or force a trade. Instead, we will wait for the market to rotate down toward our next pre-defined, high-probability 'Battle Plan' zone. This approach frames any pullback not as a threat, but as an opportunity to reload long positions at superior levels.
The Battle Plan: Key Tactical Levels for Today
- Yesterday's Halfback: The market is currently challenging this level. Holding above it is a short-term sign of strength.
- Friday's Halfback (NQ): The NQ staying above this level yesterday was a minor but notable win for the bulls. This remains a key support marker for the lagging index.
- The "Next Battle Plan Trade" Zone: Described as being "much further away." This is the primary target area for reloading longs on a deeper, controlled pullback. Patience is required to wait for price to reach this zone.
- Sunday Opening Price: A potential downside target if the pullback deepens. A retest of this level is anticipated below the "strong range" identified in Battle Plan Trade #2.
As we monitor these ES-specific levels, it is crucial to place them within the broader market context to confirm our thesis.
Broader Market Context & Upcoming Catalysts
Intermarket Divergence:
- DOW: The Dow is the undisputed leader, demonstrating clear trend strength. Its incredible move to a new all-time high makes it the benchmark for bullish conviction.
- NQ: The NQ is the clear laggard, trapped in consolidation. For our analysis, yesterday's muted NQ action is noise; the defining structure remains Friday's high and low, and these are the only levels we will reference for that index.
Economic Calendar:
- Tomorrow: JOLTS data release.
- Friday: Non-Farm Payroll (NFP) report.
In summary, our strategy today is to maintain a bullish bias while respecting the high probability of a relief pullback. We will exercise patience, allowing the market to come to our pre-defined levels, and await the next high-probability 'Battle Plan' setup to emerge.
COMMON QUESTIONS FOR ES FUTURES TRADERS
What is the 'Battle Plan' that Micros Trader refers to?
A: The Battle Plan is Micros Trader's structured pre-market trading strategy document that outlines key levels, trade setups, and market context for the day. It serves as a tactical roadmap for ES and MES futures traders to make disciplined, data-backed decisions during the session.
What does “halfback” refer to in market analysis?
A: The halfback is the midpoint of the prior trading session's range. Holding above or below this level can indicate bullish or bearish sentiment and is frequently used by Micros Trader as a short-term strength or weakness indicator.
Why is NQ divergence important when trading ES or MES?
A: NQ (Nasdaq futures) represents tech-heavy stocks and often leads or lags relative to the ES (S&P 500 futures). Divergence between the two can signal a lack of market confirmation, prompting strategic caution when the broader indices aren't aligned.
How does Micros Trader determine “high-probability zones” for entry?
A: High-probability zones are identified using a combination of price structure, volume profile, historical reaction levels, and intermarket context. These zones are plotted in advance and updated daily in the Battle Plan to ensure precision and consistency.
What is the significance of a breach of the RTH low?
A: Breaching the prior day’s Regular Trading Hours (RTH) low can indicate weakness or a shift in market sentiment. In Micros Trader’s system, it serves as a red flag for bullish conviction and often triggers a pause or reevaluation of long setups until further confirmation appears.
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