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Amazon and Intel report earnings after the close but don’t look at the numbers yet — they could trigger the Power Hour phenomenon at the open tomorrow in several tickers. We’ll discuss that and more after the close TODAY [tap to join us]!
Hey gang,
A stock starts moving higher. The calls are jumping. Now you’re staring at the screen, wondering whether you’re about to miss the whole move.
I get it. Even I get FOMO.
But before I buy, I want to know whether stock volume is picking up with the price. That’s a big part of what I’m looking for with Power Hour Stocks.
Price Gets My Attention. Volume Helps Confirm the Move
When I say volume, I’m looking at two different things: the options trading and the shares changing hands in the stock itself.
Calls outpacing puts can get my attention. But I also want the stock moving higher with expanding share volume. I want participation behind that move.
That’s why our five-star criteria look at several factors together, including stock volume, price momentum and options activity. One requirement is at least 5,000 call contracts traded in the stock’s options.
During a recent training session, one name had roughly 2,000 calls traded against just five puts.
Interesting? Absolutely. But it still didn’t meet that call-volume requirement.
A dramatic ratio doesn’t replace the rest of the checklist.
Options hedging can also add fuel. When market makers are short gamma, they may need to buy more stock as it rises to adjust their hedges. That buying can reinforce the move. But heavy call volume alone doesn’t establish their net exposure or guarantee a squeeze.
I’m looking for conditions that could support momentum. I still have to manage the trade.
A Rising Stock Can Still Miss the Cut
During the live session, someone asked why a stock hadn’t received a five-star rating even though it was moving higher.
We pulled up the volume. It was falling rather than delivering the increase our filter required at the time of the alert.
That’s the distinction I want you to understand. Price was moving, but the volume confirmation wasn’t there.
Could the stock keep rallying anyway? Of course. A stock doesn’t need my approval to go higher.
But I’m trying to be selective. Without that participation, I worry about a move running out of momentum. I’d rather wait for the setup I’m looking for than buy because I feel left behind.
Before you chase the next breakout when the market starts moving fast, take a look at what’s happening underneath the surface.
Make sure the volume shows up.
Order Flow:
This is for informational and educational purposes only. These are not official alerts issued by Lance, but rather some interesting orders picked by the team at Lance Ippolito Trading.
When you look at these plays, always take the market maker move into consideration.
You can be right on the direction but still lose money if the stock doesn’t move enough. That’s where the market maker move comes in clutch.
With puts, they’re often downside hedges in case a stock tanks, especially around earnings. The further out of the money they are, the more likely they are to be hedges.
Also be sure and check when the company’s earnings date is because many of the plays we post here are centered around earnings!
If a stock is really expensive, consider a spread to lower the cost.
And finally, always remember the golden rule when it comes to buying calls: Buy dips, sell rips — and don’t chase!
If a stock’s moved a ton already today, maybe wait for a pullback.
There is inherent risk in trading. Trade at your own risk.
Note: If no date is listed after the month, it’s the monthly expiration (third Friday).
The team at Lance Ippolito Trading
Lance doesn’t want the CCP spying on him, so you’ll never find him on TikTok. Same goes for other social media sites, which are filled with impersonators, scammers and crypto bros.
You can only find him on his personal YouTube Channel — smash that Subscribe button! https://www.youtube.com/@LanceIppolito
And in his private Telegram channel: https://t.me/+-gVwEIwGJhplMTgx
Important Note: No one from the team at Lance Ippolito Trading, New Money Crew or any of its associated brands will ever contact you directly on Telegram.
*This is for informational and educational purposes only. There is inherent risk in trading, so trade at your own risk.
P.S. Are We Really in an AI Bubble?
Are we really in an AI bubble, as one of the market’s legends recently said?
Or is that just noise?
Well, the truth is no matter what happens next, there will also be an opportunity hiding somewhere.
You just need to know where to look…
And these days…
I’ve been looking more at the opening bell… for good reason.
You see, there’s a weird market anomaly that has been defying the doom and gloom headlines…
And sending stocks soaring… not in weeks or days…
But right in the first trading hour every day.
Tapping this anomaly helped deliver home runs like…
Now, there were smaller winners and those that didn’t work. And I won’t make reckless guarantees about the stock market…
But regardless of whether we’re in a bubble or not…
I believe this anomaly will keep sending stocks on explosive runs right in the first trading hour…
If you’d like to leverage it nonstop…
We develop tools and strategies to the best of our ability but no one can guarantee the future. There is always a risk of loss when trading. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Stated results are from live tracked signals from 8/27/26 to 10/25/2026. The win rate was 74.4% on the options, with an average return on winners of 128% and an average return on winners and losers of 81.2% over a 30-60 minute average hold time.
