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Truist Financial Corporation (TFC) Scalp Long: +12% in less than two hours

Regional banks came under intense pressure as Silicon Valley, First Republic and Signature experienced bank runs. Event Trader identified TFC as a “baby with the bathwater” play. TFC was hit due to concerns around its “Hold to Maturity” portfolio. TFC is a Southeast bank with a strong insured deposit base. The 33% sell-off opened up a buying opportunity as shares found support at the $31 area. EVENT pulled the trigger to take advantage of the situation and banked a quick 12% profit.
13-Mar-23
10:00 ET 		EVENT Event Trader: Entering a Long in TFC at 31.57, risking $2; 1/4 size... This bank is covered under bank Stress test; I think you will see these names find buyers as they are better regulated and "safer"
13-Mar-23
10:43 ET 		EVENT Event Trader: Banking a piece of TFC for $1.50 profit; stops edged to $31
13-Mar-23
11:07 ET 		EVENT Event Trader: Banking another piece of TFC for approx $1.80 profit; stops on remaining half to entry
13-Mar-23
11:24 ET 		EVENT Event Trader: TFC Follow Up- Grabbing another piece here for approx $2.50 profit (12%); stops on last piece to entry


PacWest Bancorp Preferreds (PACWP) Swing Short: 6 pt, 24% average profit in less than 24 hours

An extremely low-risk Short in the preferred shares of a bank that ScalpTrader's research indicated had similarities to SIVB.
09-Mar-23
14:55 ET 		SCALP ScalpTrader: PACWP -- Shorting the Preferreds of PacWest Bancorp (PACW -22%) as a Swing Position. The Preferreds trade under the ticker PACWP. Starting 1/2 size and risking approx. 1.2 pts (24.86 -0.88)
PACWP went ex-dividend about 3 weeks ago, so I won't have to worry about paying the dividend for a couple months. I don't expect to be in the position that long.
10-Mar-23
09:48 ET 		SCALP ScalpTrader: PACWP Swing Short Update -- Locking in profits on 1/3 of Short position in the PACWP preferreds for a gain of approx 5 pts or 20%.. Shorted this yesterday at $24.86. (19.80 -4.85)
10-Mar-23
10:28 ET 		SCALP ScalpTrader: PACWP Short Update -- Locking in profits on another 1/3 unit of Short for gain of +4 pts... PACWP trading at $20.50... stop on final piece at $24.87 entry (20.50 +4.15)
10-Mar-23
12:44 ET 		SCALP ScalpTrader: PACWP Swing Short Update -- Locking in profits on remainder of Short in this preferred stock for a gain of almost 9 pts on this piece. Initiated this Short yesterday at $24.87. (16.00 -8.65)


Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3X Shares (DPST) Swing Long: 15% average profit in less than 24 hours

ScalpTrader used the 3x Long Regional Bank ETF to catch a big bounce. He had planned the position as a swing, but locked in gains intraday on the massive rebound.
13-Mar-23
10:57 ET 		SCALP ScalpTrader: DPST Swing Long -- Picking up 1/3 position in 3x Long Regional Bank ETF... Risking approx. 1.5 pts. With regional banks down so much intraday, wouldn't surprise me if Fed/FDIC announce another scheme to reassure market. (8.07 -5.27)
Hard for Banks to raise capital if their shares are in freefall.
13-Mar-23
11:05 ET 		SCALP ScalpTrader: DPST Swing Update -- That's a quick rip for almost 10%. Locking in profits on 1/3 of position and adjusting stop to entry area. (8.85 -4.49)
13-Mar-23
11:13 ET 		SCALP ScalpTrader: DPST Swing Update -- Locking in profit on 2/3 of remaining position for approx +16%. Stop at entry on final piece. (9.35 -3.98)
13-Mar-23
11:23 ET 		SCALP ScalpTrader: DPST Swing Update -- Taking profits on final piece for +27%. (10.30)


ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) Swing Long: +11.5% average profit taken in less than two weeks

In the midst of the SIVB failure, anything and everything attached to the universe of former VC holdings took a big hit. But many of these names were already smoking craters from last year's bear trend, which hit hardest in long duration growth tech on the steep rise in rates. Swing Trader's sense was that we could see a sharp snap-back in many of these names because the SIVB collapse was also a major catalyst for a flight-to-safety bid in the bond market and revisions to the Fed's forward glide path on rates.
10-Mar-23
14:08 ET 		SWING Swing Trader: Buying 1/4 size position in ARKK at 35.46 with a stop at $32
We are now hitting the point where everything that was a holding of big VCs and SIVB is being nuked. Alt energy, genomics, edge computing, crypto. Which isn't overly surprising.

However, this could be a major opportunity for growth investors in the making. A lot of these things had already been cut to pieces as growth investment vehicles over the past year. And this extra step could be a step too far. After all, SIVB isn't the only source of capital in the world.

If the investment thesis for solar or genomics or whatever is sound on a long-term Sharpe ratio basis, then there's plenty of money out there looking for a home. And those shares will exchange hands.

This is an auction. These things aren't still in a bubble at this point. Taking a small position here into the bloodbath.
14-Mar-23
11:25 ET 		SWING Swing Trader: ARKK Long Update -- Taking an initial round of profits here on the snapback rip for about +3pts or 9% upside. Adjusting the stop to $35/share
21-Mar-23
12:17 ET 		SWING Swing Trader: Taking a little off the table in the ARKK Swing Long position here for about +14%. Leaving the stop in place at $35/share
$40/share coming right in step with the 200-day simple moving average. This play was predicated on panic in former VC star holdings when SIVB collapsed as well as the stunning crash in interest rates. ARKK is the epitome of a long-duration tech basket and therefore supersensitive to rates. So far outperforming most of the market over the past seven sessions, as anticipated.


Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) Swing Long: Up to 15% in one week

The Silicon Valley Bank issues weighed heavily on financials throughout the month of March. The selling pressure culminated in aggressive overnight selling on March 24. Financials were under heavy selling pressure that morning. CDS spreads in European financials skyrocketed as the Credit Suisse fallout reached its crescendo. This led to an early flush in U.S. bank stocks. The 3x Bull Direxion ETF (FAS) dipped to test support at the $50-psyche level. Event Trader entered a position in the vehicle as there was no incremental news and the financials were grossly oversold, due for a bounce.
24-Mar-23
09:36 ET 		EVENT Event Trader: Entering a Long in FAS at $50.29, risking $2; 1/2 size scalp
27-Mar-23
09:34 ET 		EVENT Event Trader: Banking a piece of FAS Long for approx 4.50 points; Banking piece of ATVI Long for approx 7 points
30-Mar-23
10:02 ET 		EVENT EVENT Event Trader: Banking 1/2 of FAS position for $7 (approx 15%) profit; stops on final piece moved to $54


Preferreds of New York Community Bancorp (NYCBprA) Swing Long: +15% in one week

After capturing major profits playing the recent downside move in Bank stocks, ScalpTrader began picking through the carnage for attractive longer-term opportunities. He picked up this Bank Preferred stock for its attractive yield and strong capital appreciation potential.
21-Mar-23
10:50 ET 		SCALP ScalpTrader: NYCBprA -- Picking up a 1/3 position in the Preferreds of New York Community Bancorp (NYCB) in the Yield Portfolio... (19.51 +0.77)
  • NYCBprA preferreds currently trading at 8.1% yield. NYCB's financial profile given a huge boost by FDIC-facilitated purchase of SBNY assets over the weekend.
  • Analysts have been racing to upgrade the common in response to this transformational deal, but the Preferreds have received little attention.
  • These Preferreds were trading at $24.80 less than 3 weeks ago (before SIVB crash).
  • Yellen comments at ABA bolstering regional banks and NYCB preferreds at +8% yield have appreciation potential in a lower interest rate environment.
  • Starting 1/3 size and risking approx. 2.5 pts.
  • Will consider buying more into weakness.
29-Mar-23
13:11 ET 		SCALP ScalpTrader: NYCBprA Update -- Seeing a 9% rally in the NYCBprA preferred today, pushing the position approx. 17% in-the-money from our $19.51 purchase price last week... Locking in profits on 1/3 of position and tightening stop (22.77 +1.91)
  • I think fair value for this security is the $24.00-25.00 area, so will continue to hold majority of position and clip the quarterly dividend.
  • However, a 17% gain in a week is a big move for a Preferred, so going to take profits on 1/3 of the position.
  • Raising stop to the $19.00 area on remaining position.


PacWest Bancorp (PACW) Scalp Long: Up to +10% in less than two hours

ScalpTrader saw an opportunity to play an intraday technical bounce and price squeeze in this volatile stock.
21-Mar-23
08:58 ET 		SCALP ScalpTrader: PACW Scalp Update -- Trimming 1/3 of scalp position for +5%; stop to entry area... PACW trading at $11.43 in pre-mkt
21-Mar-23
09:02 ET 		SCALP ScalpTrader: PACW Scalp Update -- Locking in profits on another 1/3 unit for +7%. PACW trading at $11.60 in pre-market. Stop on remainder at entry.
21-Mar-23
10:34 ET 		SCALP ScalpTrader: PACW Scalp Update -- Taking profits on final piece of this morning's scalp for +10%. (11.95 +1.67)


Riot Platforms, Inc. (RIOT) Swing Long: Up to +42%

Riot Platforms, a $2 billion market-cap Bitcoin mining stock, provided a technical buy signal on April 10th. The stock took off and never looked back, running as much as 42.5% in our favor over the course of three days.
10-Apr-23
12:43 ET 		QUANT Fib Trader: RIOT Swing Long -- Riot Platforms confirmed a buy at 9.43, and I am purchasing shares. (9.50 +0.34)
  • With cryptocurrencies heating up, leadership cryptocurrency stocks are emerging. Riot Platforms Inc. (RIOT) spent the past seven trading sessions basing above Fibonacci support at 8.75.
  • As RIOT breaks out of its base, it shows the strongest accumulation in the group.
  • The Fibonacci targets are at 10.51 and 12.02, and 13.68.
  • The stop is a daily close below 8.75.
10-Apr-23
15:01 ET 		QUANT Fib Trader: Riot Platforms (RIOT) hit my first Fibonacci target at $10.51, and I am selling 1/3 of my position with an 10.5% gain. (10.51 +1.35)
  • Stop remains a daily close below $8.75.
11-Apr-23
11:27 ET 		QUANT Fib Trader: Riot Platforms (RIOT) is approaching my second Fibonacci target at 12.01, and I am selling 1/3 of my position with a 25% gain. (11.91 +1.33)
  • Raising my stop to a daily close below 10.51
  • I initiated this position yesterday at $9.50.
13-Apr-23
10:49 ET 		QUANT Fib Trader: Riot Platforms Inc. (RIOT) is approaching its Fibonacci target at 13.68, and I am selling the last third of my position with a 42% gain (13.50 +1.15)
  • This position was purchased on April 10th at $9.50.


Pulse Biosciences, Inc. (PLSE) Swing Long: +20%

11-Apr-23
11:51 ET 		QUANT Fib Trader: I am purchasing Pulse Bioscience (PLSE) between 3.90 and 4.00, with today's price confirmation at 3.90. (3.98 +0.17)
  • The Healthcare sector finished last week with a new buy signal, and Medical Instruments is one of the strongest industry groups in the sector.
  • The Price and volume leader in the group is Pulse Biosciences (PLSE). It wants to move higher with the group's recent strength.
  • After the stock's first impulse move on massive volume, it has had an orderly pullback to Fibonacci support at 3.53. PLSE has confirmed a buy today, and I am purchasing shares between 3.90 and 4.00.
  • The Fibonacci targets are at 4.89 and 7.08.
  • The stop is a daily close below 3.53.
  • It carries low volume risk with an average daily volume of 45,000 and FDA approval risk.
  • This is a smaller position size due to liquidity and smallish market-cap of $147 mln.
12-Apr-23
13:56 ET 		QUANT Fib Trader: Pulse Biosciences Inc. (PLSE) is approaching my first Fibonacci target at 4.89, and I am selling the entire position for a 20% gain. (4.78 +0.67)


Bullfrog AI Holdings (BFRG) Swing Long: Up to +27%

12-Apr-23
10:39 ET 		QUANT Fib Trader: I am purchasing Bullfrog AI Holdings (BFRG) following the buy confirmation at 4.99 (4.99 +0.68)
  • The AI industry group gave a buy signal on April 3, and leaders are emerging.
  • I always focus on IPOs ready to break out of Primary bases. Bullfrog AI Holdings confirmed a buy coming out of a double-bottom primary base.
  • I am purchasing shares at 4.99-5.10.
  • Fibonacci targets are at 5.99, 8.08, and 11.47.
  • The stop is a daily close below 4.69.
12-Apr-23
12:27 ET 		QUANT Fib Trader: Bullfrog AI Holdings (BFRG) hit my first Fibonacci target at 5.99, and I am selling 1/2 of my position with a 17% return. (5.84 +1.53)
12-Apr-23
15:42 ET 		QUANT Fib Trader: Big run in Bullfrog AI Holdings (BFRG) position. Sold 1/2 for +20% and remaining position currently +27% in our favor. (6.33 +2.02)
  • I'm planning to hold remainder of position as long as it holds above 5.99.
13-Apr-23
08:47 ET 		QUANT QUANT Fib Trader: Position summary and update
  • The remaining shares of Bullfrog AI Holdings Inc. (BFRG) are a sell with a 30-minute close below 5.99. The next Fibonacci target is at 8.08.
  • Riot Platforms Inc. (RIOT) continues to base above 12.02; I hold the remaining 1/3 position. RIOT is a sell with a 30-minute close below 12.02. The next Fibonacci target is at 13.68.
  • Trupanion Inc. (TRUP) will be sold with a 30-minute close below 42.74. Otherwise, I continue to hold for the 47.87 Fibonacci target.
  • Pulse Biosciences Inc. (PLSE) was sold yesterday as it approached its Fibonacci target of 4.89 with a 20% gain.
13-Apr-23
09:59 ET 		QUANT Fib Trader: BFRG Update -- I am selling the remaining Bullfrog AI Holdings Inc. (BFRG) shares given the 30-minute close below 5.99. (5.22 -0.91)
  • Purchased this position yesterday at $4.99 and locked in profits on 1/2 of position for +17%.
  • This piece is being closed for +4.5%.


Reneo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (RPHM) Swing Long: +41%

17-Apr-23
12:32 ET 		QUANT Fib Trader: I am purchasing Reneo Pharmaceuticals Inc. (RPHM) with confirmation at 7.34. (7.34 +0.54)
  • The Healthcare sector looks strong after it gave a buy signal two weeks ago.
  • Biotechnology stocks, my favorite industry group in the sector, gave a buy signal on Thursday. The buy signal in the Biotech industry group opened up many short-term trading opportunities in the fast-moving Biotech stocks.
  • Reneo Pharmaceuticals Inc. (RPHM) has been looking strong the past few weeks but has been basing under Fibonacci resistance at 6.35.
  • On Tuesday, the stock closed above 6.35, giving a new buy signal. On Friday, RPHM came back and retested Fibonacci support at 6.35.
  • Reneo Pharmaceuticals Inc. (RPHM) today confirmed its move higher at 7.34.
  • The Fibonacci targets are 9.02 and 10.27.
  • Stop with a close below 6.35.
  • I am keeping the position size small with a low average daily volume and a small float risk.
19-Apr-23
14:02 ET 		QUANT Fib Trader: Reneo Pharmaceuticals (RPHM) is at its first Fibonacci target at 9.02, and I am selling half my position with a 21% gain. (8.93 +0.70)
  • I initiated this position two days ago at $7.34.
21-Apr-23
10:41 ET 		QUANT Fib Trader: I am Selling my position of Reneo Pharmaceuticals Inc. (RPHM) with a 41% return. (10.35 .55)
  • Reneo Pharmaceuticals Inc. (RPHM) is trading above its Fibonacci target at 10.27 and I am selling the remainder of the position.
  • The stock is up 41% from Monday's purchase at 7.34.


Nasdaq eMini Futures Scalp Long: Up to +100 pts

Powell was set to speak on Capitol Hill. Chart Trader's sense coming in was that the market was ready to see the dark side of anything he said. But that people were already positioned for Powell to hint at a higher terminal rate with big short-end bond short interest and a parade into the dollar. That suggested initial downside momentum would be likely to reverse. As it turned out, we dipped hard off Powell's talking points in the headlines. Then we set up a nice bottoming pattern on the short-term NQs chart with a higher low on the 1- and 3-minute charts, providing a falsifiable setup with a tight stop on the longside. The market turned off that point and recouped the entire opening drop.
07-Mar-23
10:17 ET 		CHART ChartTrader: Buying some NQs 12200 at 1/2 size, risking 30 pts
07-Mar-23
10:22 ET 		CHART ChartTrader: Scalping a piece of the NQs bounce position here for about +35 pts, stops on rest to 12195
07-Mar-23
10:23 ET 		CHART ChartTrader: Banking more of the NQs long here for about +60 pts
07-Mar-23
10:34 ET 		CHART ChartTrader: Banking half of remaining NQs long here for about +100 pts


April Crude Futures (CLj3) Scalp Short: Up to +130 ticks

This was a basic descending triangle pattern setup that broke hard a few minutes after ChartTrader got involved in the short. After he was about 75 ticks in the money, the bottom dropped out on questionable bearish news so he covered aggressively, but not before getting a very nice result and better than a 4:1 reward:risk ratio.
03-Mar-23
08:08 ET 		CHART ChartTrader: Shorting some April Crude (CLj3) at 7793, risking 30 ticks
03-Mar-23
08:10 ET 		CHART ChartTrader: Scalping a piece of the Crude short here for about +20 ticks, stops on rest to 78.00
03-Mar-23
08:22 ET 		CHART ChartTrader: Banking more of the Crude short here for about +50 ticks
03-Mar-23
08:56 ET 		CHART ChartTrader: Banking half of remaining Crude short here for about +130 ticks
yeehaw.
03-Mar-23
10:07 ET 		CHART ChartTrader: May regret this, but that's quite a tail and dip came on kneejerk reaction to questionable news, so banking last piece of the Crude short here for about +60 pts


Nasdaq eMini Futures (NQ) Swing Short: Up to +160 pts

The Nasdaq enjoyed a strong start to 2023. Event believed the key drivers were 1) short covering; 2) small buying due to oversold conditions from 2022; and 3) expectations the Fed would lower rates in the near future. The NQ rally showed signs of faltering and was in the midst of a bounce off its 200-sma. Event Trader saw that bounce as susceptible to a roll, especially since Fed Chair Jerome Powell was set to testify the following day and was expected to provide hawkish commentary around rates.
06-Mar-23
13:32 ET 		EVENT Event Trader: Entering a Short in NQ H23 at 12394, risking 30; 1/4 size scalp
06-Mar-23
13:48 ET 		EVENT Event Trader: Taking a piece of NQ Short for 25 points; stops moved to 12410
06-Mar-23
13:57 ET 		EVENT Event Trader: Grabbing another piece of NQ Short for approx 35 points; stops to entry on remaining half
06-Mar-23
15:17 ET 		EVENT Event Trader: Grabbing another piece of NQ Short for 60 points; I will leave the last piece on with a stop at entry
07-Mar-23
10:04 ET 		EVENT Event Trader: Covering last piece of NQ Short for approx 160 point profit


PacWest Bancorp (PACW) Puts: Up to +970%

Scalp Trader likes to use Puts when he wants to Short a stock and avoid the squeeze potential of a naked short. Buying the Put options defines his risk and allows him to be more patient with the trade.
09-Mar-23
14:02 ET 		SCALP ScalpTrader: Buying PACW 4/21 $20 Puts for $1.40. Starting 1/2 size (20.95 -5.73)
I'm thinking PACW may continue to decline in sympathy with SIVB.
10-Mar-23
09:44 ET 		SCALP ScalpTrader: PACW Put position update -- Locking in profits on 1/3 of the PACW 4/21 $20 Puts for profit of +300%... Purchased this position yesterday for $1.40 and the Puts are now trading at $5.7 (13.58 -6.31)
10-Mar-23
10:38 ET 		SCALP ScalpTrader: PACW Put Update -- Taking profits on another 1/3 of the PACW 4/21 $20 Puts for profit of +335%... Purchased this position yesterday for $1.40 and the Puts are now trading at $6.10 (15.32 -4.56)
13-Mar-23
10:23 ET 		SCALP ScalpTrader: Locking in gains on remainder of PACW Puts for approx. 970% profit. Purchased the PACW 4/21 $20 Puts on Thursday for $1.40 per contract. The Puts are currently trading at $15.00 (5.27 -7.08)


New York Community Bancorp (NYCB) Puts: Up to +700%

ScalpTrader expected the SIVB issues to spill over into the following week, so he hunted for deep out-of-the-money Puts that had not priced in the level of volatility that he anticipated for Banks the following week.
10-Mar-23
11:26 ET 		SCALP ScalpTrader: NYCB Put Position -- Buying NYCB 4/21 $6.00 Puts for $0.10.. same reason as the SOFI trade... I'm hunting for OTM Puts in select Financial names... Willing to take 100% losses on them; using the positions for Short/hedge exposure (7.30 -0.53)
13-Mar-23
10:46 ET 		SCALP ScalpTrader: NYCB Put Update -- On Friday, purchased the NYCB 4/21 $6.00 Puts for $0.10. Those Puts are now trading at $0.80, or 700% in the money. Locking in profits on 1/3 of position. (6.16 -1.21)
14-Mar-23
09:35 ET 		SCALP ScalpTrader: NYCB Put Update -- Locking in profits on remainder of NYCB Puts for 200% profit. NYCB Puts currently trading at $0.30 vs entry price of $0.10


Signature Bank (SBNY) 100 Puts: Up to +500%

Puts purchased as a defined risk trade on Silvergate and crypto banks continuing to come under regulator scruitinty.
08-Mar-23
15:18 ET 		MOMOX Momentum Trader: Buying Signature Bank (SBNY) 3/17 exp $100 Puts for $3.80 (102.09 -2.80)
Technical breakdown to new 52-week low and I'm expecting further fallout from Silvergate (SI) situation.
09-Mar-23
09:35 ET 		MOMOX Momentum Trader:sold half SBNY 100 puts exp 3/17 for 3.50 gain, or 92% profit
Purchased these Puts yesterday for $3.80 per contract.
10-Mar-23
09:32 ET 		MOMOX Momentum Trader: Locking in profits on remaining SBNY 100 puts exp 3/17 for a gain of 20.00, or over 500% (76.19 -14.57)


Tesla (TSLA) Puts: Up to +89%

Momentum Trader positioned for a sell-the-news reaction to Tesla Investor Day following a strong move into the event.
01-Mar-23
14:24 ET 		MOMOX Momentum Trader: Buying TSLA 202.50 puts exp 3/10 for 9.30. 1/2 pos. Target for stock $187. Will look to add to position if given an opportunity. (202.34)
02-Mar-23
09:40 ET 		MOMOX Momentum Trader: Locked in profits on half TSLA 202.50 puts exp 3/10 for a gain of 8.25 pts
07-Mar-23
10:04 ET 		MOMOX Momentum Trader: Taking profits on 2nd half of TSLA 202.5 puts exp 3/10 for 6.70 gain, or +74%
  • Initiated this position March 1 for $9.30.
  • Took profits on 1/2 of position on March 2 for +8.25 pts, or +89%.


Snowflake Inc. (SNOW) Puts: +125%

The February jobs report was coming out the morning of March 10th. Options Trader was anticipating the number to be strong and to put pressure on high growth tech stocks. OPTNX has found in these situations that SNOW tends to get hit harder than other stocks, so he entered into a put prior to the close on March 9th.
09-Mar-23
15:03 ET 		OPTNX Options Trader: SNOW
  • Buying tomorrow's 135 put as a lotto to carry overnight in case we get a hot jobs report and tech gets hit.
  • Buying around 1.10.
10-Mar-23
09:35 ET 		OPTNX Options Trader: SNOW
  • SNOW 135 puts I held overnight have moved from around 1.10 to 2.50.
  • I am going to take profits.

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