Artwork for podcast Stock Market Options Trading
184: This Week in the SP500: Market Holding Strong Near Highs
Episode 18420th April 2026 • Stock Market Options Trading • Eric O'Rourke
00:00:00 00:20:56

Share Episode

Shownotes

In this episode, Eric and Brian Terry break down a market that just won’t quit—despite geopolitical tension, rising oil, and a packed economic calendar. With the S&P 500 hovering near all-time highs, the conversation dives into positioning, risk management, and where the real opportunities might be right now.

🔗 Useful Links (Start Here)

  • 🌐 Alpha Crunching: https://alphacrunching.com
  • 🎧 Stock Market Options Trading Podcast: https://stockmarketoptionstrading.net
  • 💬 Join the Discord Community: (included with Alpha Crunching subscription)
  • 📊 Weekly TSE Report & Trade Setups: Available inside Alpha Crunching

📈 Episode Breakdown

This week’s discussion centers around a tricky market environment—strong momentum on the surface, but plenty of uncertainty underneath.

  • The market rallied over 4% last week and continues to hold near highs, even with rising oil and geopolitical concerns
  • Key events this week include retail sales, PMI data, and a major appearance from the incoming Fed Chair
  • Despite potential volatility, the market continues to show resilience, with dips getting bought quickly

Eric shares how he’s navigating this environment:

  • Sitting on higher cash levels after covered calls were assigned
  • Looking for pullbacks to re-enter long positions or potentially deploy collar strategies
  • Increasing focus on SPX 0DTE trades for short-term opportunities with defined risk

Brian walks through a practical hedge idea using a broken wing butterfly on QQQ, highlighting:

  • Favorable risk/reward structure
  • Ability to profit even in downside scenarios
  • A flexible way to hedge without tying up large capital

⚡ Key Takeaways

  • Short-term uncertainty, long-term bullish tone continues to define the market
  • Many traders are holding cash, which could fuel continued dip-buying
  • 0DTE trading is gaining traction, especially with potential changes to PDT rules making it more accessible
  • Gamma levels and options positioning suggest possible resistance near current levels, but nothing is guaranteed

📊 Strategy Focus

Eric discusses leaning more into:

  • Mechanical 0DTE credit spreads using the Trend Spread Engine (TSE)
  • Staying active even when swing strategies aren’t triggering
  • Using data-driven timing, trend, and strike selection to find edge intraday

🎧 Listen On

Available on:

  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • And all major podcast platforms

If you’re looking to stay active in this kind of market, this episode is a solid mix of macro perspective and actionable strategy ideas.

Chapters

Video

More from YouTube