Time Flies Either Way: Bull Tag ‘n Turn Fires After Target Hit | SPX Market Briefing | 22 Aug 2025

The weeks fly past when you’re having fun – or not. They pass either way, I suppose. It’s just the enjoyment of the passage of time that we have to take into consideration.

Anyway, Friday and another week nearly done with – and what a week for systematic precision paying off exactly as designed.

The previous bear breakout reached its target, but due to the speed of movement, it wasn’t much of a huge win on the theta decay ‘o meter before the bull Tag ‘n Turn fired off a new bullish trade. Just around 35% ROC on that one – sometimes speed kills the premium collection game.

But here’s the bright, shiny side of things: the swing software is looking every so sexy… err, I mean fully functional and operational! The bullish markings and failure points are auto-marked, and we’re once again waiting for either a push higher or time to meander sideways long enough for theta to pay something interesting.

Remember, we don’t need a big directional move to win, and often the slow, sluggish ones are some of the better trades for us and this system.

SPX Pays Daily. If You Know This One Setup.

Pulse bar + credit spread = reliable income. It’s that simple.

SPX Market Briefing:

Friday brings us exactly what systematic traders love: clear signals, automated level marking, and multiple ways to profit regardless of market personality.

Current System Status:

• Bear breakout: Target achieved at 35% ROC (speed-limited theta collection)

• Bull Tag ‘n Turn: Fresh setup activated with auto-marked levels

• Swing software: Fully operational with bullish failure points mapped

• Premium hunting: Magic 8 ball ready for opening bell signals

The beauty of having truly systematic approaches is that speed doesn’t always equal better profits.
That bear breakout hit target fast – great for validation, but limited for theta decay optimization.
The 35% ROC proves the system works; the quick execution reminds us why patience often pays better than speed.

Software Development Update: The swing software evolution continues impressing. Auto-marked bullish levels, failure point identification, and mechanical precision that removes guesswork from position management. When technology serves systematic discipline, magic happens.

Friday’s Game Plan:

• Tag ‘n Turn: Bullish until bearish – obviously! Auto-marked levels provide clear guidance for both continuation and failure scenarios.

• Premium Popper & Lazy Popper: Waiting for the open to stay mechanical and wait for the magic 8 ball to give clear signals. Then we “pop ‘dat premium” with systematic precision.

The Theta Reality Check: Slow, sluggish sideways moves often deliver better theta collection than dramatic directional fireworks. Big moves grab attention; steady decay pays bills. This system thrives on both, but appreciates patience over speed.

And in other news: new systems and software are cooking in the background. Watch this space for developments that will make systematic trading even more precise.

In Other News…

FUTURES PLAYING DEAD BEFORE THE EXECUTIONER ARRIVES
E-mini S&P limping to -0.22% by 9:25 AM like Wallie after discovering overtime exists. Nasdaq face-planted -0.40% while Dow managed a dignified -0.10% – collectively bracing for Powell’s pronouncements like condemned prisoners awaiting their fate. Risk budgets tighter than Percy’s emergency biscuit stash ahead of Fed chair’s verbal guillotine.

ENERGY STRUTS WHILE EVERYONE ELSE SULKS
Brent crude having a proper moment, lifting refiners like they’ve discovered the fountain of youth while airlines immediately started drafting suicide notes about fuel costs. Banks getting frisky with rising yields because profiting off other people’s desperation never gets old. Semiconductors wobbling harder than Mac on his fifth espresso after Nvidia’s export pause – because apparently selling chips to certain countries is now considered rude.

EARNINGS CONFESSIONAL TURNS BIBLICAL
Deere slashed guidance faster than Kash cutting non-essential expenses, blaming soft China orders and diesel costs like it’s shocked that tractors need fuel. Palo Alto bragging about AI-security tailwinds because apparently robots need bodyguards now. Ross Stores whimpering about freight inflation threatening Q4 margins – because moving clothes from factories to shops was supposed to be free, obviously.

CROSS-ASSET CIRCUS AWAITS THE RINGMASTER
Dollar index flexing at 98.9 while ten-year yield camps at 4.35% like it’s waiting for permission to move. Brent strutting at $67.4, gold slumping to $3,320 like it’s lost faith in humanity entirely. Credit spreads compressed tighter than office budgets, though single-B tech names edging wider because even junk bonds have networking standards. Powell’s first post-speech utterance could determine whether today ends in champagne or tissues.

-Hazel

Expert Insights:

Speed-limited theta collection demonstrates why systematic traders focus on process over individual trade optimization. The 35% ROC bear trade validates the approach while highlighting the trade-off between quick profits and maximum premium decay.

Auto-marked failure points in swing trading software eliminate emotional decision-making during position management. When technology handles level identification, traders can focus on execution rather than interpretation.

 Fun Fact:

According to options trading research, weekend theta decay is generally priced into options by Friday afternoon, meaning traders don’t typically see accelerated time decay over weekends. Professional traders and market makers anticipate the non-trading days and adjust option prices accordingly before the weekend begins.

[Source: TradingBlock – “Option Theta Explained: Time Decay for Beginners”]

Trade well,
T2 Markets

p.s. Need help? Book a call with our team!