The Trading Post | 09.26.25

September 26, 2025

Good morning,

Trump’s fresh tariffs target pharma and trucks, the Fed’s inflation focus could derail cuts, Nvidia flirts with a breakdown, $22B in crypto options are expiring, and unusual options flows scream “big money’s moving.”

Brandon Wendell reveals the spread trading strategy that's won 87% of the time in his non-funded accounts, regardless of market conditions.

Let’s jump in.

Pre-Market Performance

As of 09.25.25 market close.

Market News

  • Trump’s tariff bazooka: 100% hit on branded pharma starting Oct 1, plus trucks, furniture, and cabinets CNBC

  • PCE data at 8:30 AM ET: core expected +0.2% MoM, +2.9% YoY – Fed cut odds now just 39 bps into year-end Reuters

  • Nvidia stalls out: key $180 level in play; strategist warns S&P could take a 10% hit if pattern repeats MarketWatch

  • Crypto Friday the 13th: $22B BTC/ETH options expiry, Bitcoin slips under $109K, ETH under $3,900 Benzinga

  • Unusual options flow: $34.6M Microsoft put bet, Tesla bearish call sweeps, pharma puts spike on tariffs Futunn

A Message From Wealth Builders HQ

Tired of directional trades that always seem to go the wrong way? Ready to break free from staring at charts all day while still staying profitable? 

Brandon Wendell, CMT, has spent 25 years perfecting a spread trading approach that delivers consistent results whether markets go up, down, or sideways. In his upcoming free training, "The Spread Spectrum," he's sharing the exact strategy that's proven successful 87% of the time in live trading accounts. 

What You'll Discover: 

Secret 1: Why spreads work in any market condition – eliminating the stress of trying to predict market direction 

Secret 2: How to identify the high-probability setups that have delivered an 87% win rate repeatedly 

Secret 3: A simplified trading approach that doesn't require constant monitoring or being chained to your computer 

This isn't theory – it's a battle-tested strategy from a Chartered Market Technician who's run hedge funds and taught thousands of traders. Whether you're struggling to find good trade candidates, frustrated by wrong-direction moves, or ready to bring enjoyment back to your trading, this training is designed for traders at every experience level. 

The best part? It's completely free. No credit card required, no deposit needed – just reserve your spot and discover how spread trading can transform your results while giving you your life back. 

Ready to trade with more confidence and less stress? Register for "The Spread Spectrum" and learn the strategy that's changing how traders approach the markets. 

Trade Ideas

Workday, Inc (WDAY), Apple Inc (AAPL), Amazon.com (AMZN), Coinbase Global, Inc (COIN)

Phillips 66 (PSX), S&P Global, Inc (SPGI), TransMedics Group, Inc (TMDX), Targa Resources Corp (TRGP)

Lowe’s Companies, Inc (LOW), Lam Research Corporation (LRCX), 3M Company (MMM), NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA)

iShares Russell 2000 Index Fun (IWM), Kkr (KKR), Centrus Energy Corp (LEU), Cheniere Energy, Inc (LNG)

D.R. Horton, Inc (DHI), EOG Resources, Inc (EOG), Expedia, Inc (EXPE), SPDR Gold Trust (GLD)

Apple Inc (AAPL), Amazon.com (AMZN), CoinBase Global (COIN), Deere & Company (DE)

Want to learn how we trade these? Learn the setup we call the “High Volatility Switchback” trade.

Get these ideas delivered to your inbox daily with Trade With Rob. It’s 100% free. Sign up here.

Daily Moment of Zen

❝

Buy not on optimism, but on arithmetic.

Benjamin Graham

Why It Matters:

Graham’s reminder is basically the antidote to every CNBC soundbite and Twitter hype cycle. Optimism is why people chased dot-coms in 1999, meme stocks in 2021, and AI names at nosebleed valuations in 2025. Arithmetic, on the other hand, doesn’t care about vibes—it only cares if the numbers add up. Earnings, margins, balance sheets, cash flow—cold math beats warm feelings every time. Optimism is a rallying cry; arithmetic is a survival strategy.