Let me be blunt…
If you’re still trading the S&P 500 with SPY, you’re leaving money on the table. There’s nothing inherently wrong with SPY — it’s just not giving you the advantages that SPX and XSP offer.
And if you’re using my 4PM Payout Strategy — which you should be! — those advantages are everything.
SPX and XSP Are Built for Precision
SPX is the institutional heavyweight of index options — it’s cash-settled, European style, and it closes right at 4 p.m. ET. That’s a big deal. With SPY, you’re still exposed until 4:15, which is just enough time for the market to yank your trade the wrong way.
That extra 15 minutes can cost you dearly.
XSP is the mini version — one-tenth the size of SPX — which makes it perfect for small accounts. Same structure, same benefits, just cheaper and more accessible.
And because these are indexes, there’s no stock assignment, no early exercise, no hidden surprises.
The risk is defined, the execution is clean, and the margin requirements are better. You don’t need to babysit the trade — you just need to get it on at 10 a.m. and wait for the closing bell.
SPY Can’t Compete With These Features
The CBOE even published a full report explaining why traders should be using SPX and XSP over SPY. So this isn’t just my opinion — it’s backed by the exchange itself. And let me tell you, the more I use these contracts, the more I see why the big players avoid SPY.
Every time I hear someone say they trade SPY because it’s “easier,” I cringe. Easier isn’t better — especially when it means more slippage, less control and worse tax treatment. If you’re serious about stacking daily profits, you need the tools that were built for it.
I’m not here to make you change everything you’re doing. I’m just telling you straight: If you want to align with how the market actually works — and how the market makers think — I would use SPX or XSP. Period.
Because when you’re trading the same ticker, same expiration, and same setup every morning, the smallest edge matters. And with SPX and XSP, the edge is built right in.
The launch of my 4PP Payout Plan program is officially nearing its end. Which means the two-year deal expires at midnight tonight!
Check this out and join the club!
Order Flow:
DraftKings (DKNG) and Marathon Digital (MARA) report after the close today, but perhaps the more interesting order is the $821k in premium someone dropped on Bloom Energy (BE), which is a sizable sum for a seldom-seen ticker.
It’s up 6.5% today so as always, don’t chase! Buy dips and sell rips — and always respect the risk!
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!
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 TradingPub team 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. This MASSIVE Discount Expires TONIGHT!
If you’ve missed the rollout of my brand-new 4PM Payout Project…
Then you haven’t seen the massive potential we have with these 4 p.m. ET payout setups.
But you can start taking advantage of these opportunities as soon as tomorrow!
All you need to do is secure your slot as a Founding member of the 4PM Payout Plan — we have a BIG two-year discount expiring at midnight!
Remember, it’s the only place I know of where you can target the SPX and/or XSP for a payout at 4 p.m. ET every single day.
Plus, you’ll get my Market Maker Indicator — which tells you exactly where the real smart money expects the market to go every day.
The best part? I just secured you a massive Founding Member discount on a two-year membership.
Granted, we can’t promise returns or against losses, but….
If you’d like to tag along as we target the next 4PM Payout tomorrow…
Complete this secure order form below to lock in your discounted membership to the 4 PM Payout Plan.
