This trade was a good reminder of the value of patience after the open — and letting the market settle before committing risk.
Going into Monday, the plan was simple: watch for calls if $AAPL held strength once the opening volatility cleared. Rather than chasing the first few minutes of movement, I waited to see how price behaved as liquidity normalized.
Early Watch & Entry
At 9:37 AM, I alerted that I was watching $AAPL 265 calls as price stabilized and began to show upside intent.
By 9:48 AM, the setup confirmed enough to take a defined attempt.
Trade details:
- Contract: $AAPL 6FEB26 265C
- Entry: $2.22
- Stop: ~260
- Targets: 263.97, 265.32, 269.56
Risk was clearly defined before entry, and the expectation was straightforward: if $AAPL could continue trending, the options would follow.
Momentum & Execution
The trade got to work quickly.
At 9:50 AM, calls pushed higher, allowing for the first trim at $2.77. This locked in gains early and reduced exposure while keeping a runner on for further upside.
As $AAPL continued trending higher through the morning, a second trim was taken at 10:15 AM at $3.22.
From there, the stock maintained strength throughout the session, ultimately trending higher into the close. While I exited before the end of the day, this was a setup that could have reasonably been managed as a swing trade for those with a longer timeframe.
Final Thoughts
This trade worked not because of prediction, but because of execution:
- Patience after the open
- Clear levels and risk
- Scaling out into strength
- Letting trend do the heavy lifting
Not every trade needs to be complicated. Sometimes the market gives clean direction — and the job is simply to respect the plan and manage the position responsibly.
A solid way to start the week.
Disclaimer:
Trading involves substantial risk and is not suitable for every investor. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Trades discussed are for educational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice.