Hey traders,
It only took one headline to flip this market, and if you blinked, you missed the first move.
Oil doesn’t move like this without a reason.
One headline drops, one missile hits, and suddenly the whole market shifts.
That’s what happened last week—and smart money noticed.
Crude Oil WTI spiked.
Names like Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM), Schlumberger Limited (NYSE: SLB), and Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: OXY) all lit up with volume.
And while everyone else was arguing in the comments section or panicking about macro headlines, traders who were paying attention saw the real opportunity.
Energy stocks don’t usually lead. They follow. But when war hits the wires—especially in oil-sensitive regions—they become front and center, fast.
And this time, the moves weren’t small. These charts didn’t just blip. They broke levels with size.
Now, most traders will ask, “Is it too late?”
Wrong question.
The question should be:
What comes next… and how do I trade it without getting smoked?
Because this isn’t about chasing, it’s about understanding what drives a sector when emotion, volume, and headlines collide, and how to position when everyone else is still reacting.
I spent the weekend reviewing the charts, scanning news, and watching how the flow rotated into these tickers.
Some names look tired already. Others look like they’re just getting started.
But the opportunity isn’t over. It’s just more hidden now.
There are moments when the market doesn’t wait for earnings reports, technical setups, or well-planned catalysts.
Sometimes the world just shifts—and price follows.
It started with headlines—strikes, retaliation, escalating tension. Oil surged. Energy stocks followed. And just like that, a sector most traders had ignored suddenly became the center of the action.
By the time most traders look up, the move’s already underway.
That’s the difference between reacting and being ready.
You don’t need to predict global events. But when they land, you should know what sectors are most likely to respond, and how.
War creates uncertainty. That uncertainty drives capital into defensive or hard-asset plays. Oil becomes a focus—not for fundamental reasons, but because of emotional momentum.
That’s where we are now.
Energy names are moving—not just on charts, but with volume behind them. Some are already extended. Others may be setting up again.
What matters isn’t chasing. It’s structuring your approach.
If I’m swinging, I’m watching for consolidation above resistance.
I want confirmation, not just one spike, but proof of demand holding up.
If I’m day trading, I’ll watch how names behave off the open, especially if they gap and hold VWAP.
No news? I step back. If flow shows up, I’m ready.
And if I’m using options, I’m not touching zero-DTE stuff at the highs.
I’ll go out a bit, find reasonable premium, and let the setup breathe.
When these unwind, they unwind fast. I want defined risk, no ego involved.
This week’s about staying tactical, not emotional.
Here’s what I’m doing to prep:
- Check volume on energy tickers premarket
- Cross-reference news sentiment (FT, Reuters, Bloomberg, even Twitter)
- Line up charts that look like they’ve got room and reason
- Set risk first. No blind chasing
You don’t trade the war—you trade the reaction.
This isn’t about being clever. It’s about recognizing what happens when global headlines collide with fragile markets.
Right now, energy’s caught that attention. It won’t last forever. But while it’s here, I’ll trade it—with a plan.
The setups will change. The headlines will shift. The volume will come and go.
But the traders who stay focused on why things move—those are the ones who keep finding opportunities no matter what the market throws at them.
I’m watching crude. I’m watching the tickers. And I’m watching how long this window stays open.
If it slams shut tomorrow, fine. Will you be ready for the next one?
Be ready,
Jack Kellogg
P.S. This is your chance to get dialed in. There’s a live session next week that’ll walk you through how options actually work in fast markets, and help you stay in control when things get volatile.