One of the more interesting storylines this week was the difference in performance between the Daily Outlook and the Aggressive Trader. Both strategies enter the same option at the same time. The difference is entirely in how the trade is managed after entry. The Daily Outlook uses tighter stops and moves more quickly to lock in gains or limit losses. The Aggressive Trader uses wider stops, giving the position more room to develop.
This week, that extra room made a meaningful difference. The market did not move in a straight line, and positions that were given more time to work were rewarded for it. That is not always the case. Some weeks the tighter management of the Daily Outlook produces better results. The right approach depends on your own risk tolerance and how you are most comfortable managing a trade. If you are not familiar with the differences between the two strategies, we encourage you to read the full breakdowns on our website.
As always, the goal is not to chase the best-performing strategy week to week, but to find the one that fits your approach and stay consistent with it over time.
As a reminder, the markets will be closed on Monday, May 25th for Memorial Day. Normal trading will resume on Tuesday. We wish you and your family a wonderful extended weekend.
The daily entries below are presented as a simple trade log showing the trading activity for each strategy. Times are referenced to the nearest 5-minute interval.
5/18/2026
Daily Outlook
We forecast an up day and entered our positions just before 9:40 a.m. We exited at 9:45 a.m. for -25% in SPX and -25% in SPY.
Aggressive Trader
We entered our positions just before 9:40 a.m. We exited just before 10 a.m. for +78% in SPX and +73% in SPY.
Spread Trader
We exited early for +6% ROM.
Late Day Trader
No trade due to market conditions
5/19/2026
Daily Outlook
We forecast a down day and entered our positions just before 9:35 a.m. We exited just before 9:40 a.m. for -10% in SPX and -10% in SPY.
Aggressive Trader
We entered our positions just before 9:35 a.m. We exited just after 9:45 a.m. for +26% in SPX and +26% in SPY.
Spread Trader
We exited early for +16% ROM.
Late Day Trader
No trade due to market conditions
5/20/2026
Daily Outlook
We forecast a down day and entered our positions at 9:35 a.m. We exited just before 9:40 a.m. for +30% in SPX and +20% in SPY.
Aggressive Trader
We entered our positions at 9:35 a.m. We exited just after 9:40 a.m. for +4% in SPX and +1% in SPY.
Spread Trader
We exited early for +1% ROM.
Late Day Trader
No trade due to market conditions
5/21/2026
Daily Outlook
No trade due to market conditions.
Aggressive Trader
No trade due to market conditions.
Spread Trader
We exited early for -2% ROM.
Late Day Trader
No trade due to market conditions.
5/22/2026
Daily Outlook
We forecast an up day and entered our positions before 9:35 a.m. We exited at 9:40 a.m. for +15% in SPX and +14% in SPY.
Aggressive Trader
We entered our positions before 9:35 a.m. We exited at 10 a.m. for -14% in SPX and -15% in SPY.
Spread Trader
We exited early for -8% ROM.
Late Day Trader
No trade due to market conditions