Aggressive Trader: Trading SPX and SPY 0DTE Options
The Aggressive Trader is a high-risk, high-reward approach designed for traders who want to push beyond the standard Daily Outlook strategy. This strategy is intended for experienced traders who understand the risks of wider stops and are comfortable managing larger intraday swings. We use the same SPX and SPY 0DTE options highlighted in our Daily Outlook each morning, but manage them differently after entry to pursue larger expiration-day moves. By using wider stops and normally holding longer, this strategy seeks to capture larger intraday moves that shorter trades might miss. Because of the higher risk profile, it requires active monitoring and comfort with deeper drawdowns. You can view the full performance history, including average monthly results, on the Aggressive Trader performance page.
How the Strategy Works
Each trade begins with the same entry levels as the Daily Outlook, but the management style diverges. Stops are set wider, often between 50% and 80%, and positions may be held for hours rather than minutes. This flexibility allows us to ride through midday volatility and take advantage of extended market swings.
Members receive real-time alerts through Telegram (also mirrored in email and on our website). These include the entry plan, the initial stop level, and updates as the stop is adjusted throughout the session. By following these updates, traders can stay aligned with how we are managing the position in real time.
An Example of the Aggressive Trader
Here is a real Aggressive Trader alert sent to members during live market hours.
It shows the planned trade, the entry confirmation, adjustments to the stop as the position develops, and the final exit.
This is an actual SPX Aggressive Trader alert sent to members in real time during the trading session.
- The option contract we plan to trade
- The planned entry price
- The confirmation once the trade is filled
- Stop level guidance and adjustments as the trade evolves
- Ongoing trade management updates
- The final exit and trade result
Members are not guessing and they are not reacting emotionally to fast market movement.
They are following how the trade is being actively managed throughout the session.
Actual SPX Aggressive Trader alerts sent to members during live market hours
Risk and Reward
This strategy is not for everyone. Larger stops mean losses can be steep when trades fail, but the reward potential is also significant. For example, on March 12, 2024, the SPX Aggressive Trader returned +200%, while the SPX Daily Outlook closed the same trade with +34%. On May 31, 2024, the SPX Daily Outlook booked +25% while the SPX Aggressive Trader lost -44%. These examples highlight the wider variance that comes with this higher-risk style of trading.
Traders considering this strategy should only allocate capital they are comfortable risking and understand that results can vary widely day to day. You can review the complete history on the Aggressive Trader performance page.
Aggressive Trader in Action
To make the process more concrete, we provide training videos that walk through real trades step by step. These show how a trade is planned, entered, managed, and exited, including updates to stops as market conditions evolve.
SPX or SPY?
The Aggressive Trader is designed to work in both SPX and SPY, allowing traders to choose the contract that best fits their account size and tax considerations. Historically, performance has been similar across both SPX and SPY 0DTE options. The choice often depends on account size and preference. SPY is suitable for smaller accounts since contracts are less expensive, while SPX offers tax advantages and larger dollar moves. For a deeper comparison, see our SPX vs SPY options guide. For guidance on choosing the right account size, see our account size guide.
If you are exploring how to trade 0DTE SPY options, choosing SPY contracts can be a lower-cost way to apply the Aggressive Trader strategy.
Combining with Daily Outlook
Many traders choose to combine this strategy with the Daily Outlook. For example, one portion of a position can be exited using the Daily Outlook guidelines, while the remainder is managed with the Aggressive approach. This way, traders lock in some profits with the more conservative exit while keeping part of the trade open for bigger potential gains.
Is It Easy to Follow?
We believe the system is straightforward. All entries, stops, and updates are posted in real time, so traders do not have to guess about management. Each member can decide whether to mirror the trades directly or adapt the information to their own style.
Try It Yourself
If you are looking for a structured 0DTE SPY options strategy or want to learn how to trade 0DTE SPX options with greater reward potential, the Aggressive Trader may be a good fit. With a free 7-day trial, you will gain full access to all our strategies, performance history, and real-time alerts.
*Performance results are based on trades published in our Aggressive Trader alerts. Past performance does not guarantee future results.