The Trading Post | 10.21.25

October 21, 2025

Good morning,

Markets ripped higher Monday as earnings euphoria steamrolled over a still-closed government. The Dow popped +515 points, S&P +1.07%, and Nasdaq +1.37% — their best session in a week. But futures are easing pre-market as traders brace for a barrage of Q3 reports that could either fuel or flatten the rally.

Discover how Brandon Wendell, CMT, simplifies futures trading for traders who want less stress, more flexibility, and a systematic approach that works—no matter your schedule.

Let’s jump in.

Pre-Market Performance

As of 10.20.25 market close.

Market News

  • Markets Rally on Earnings Optimism While Macro Uncertainties Persist. Major indexes surged Monday despite Washington’s record-setting 21-day shutdown. Earnings optimism trumped politics — for now — with the VIX sliding 12% to 18.23. Futures slipped Tuesday ahead of a flood of reports from mega-caps and regionals. Reuters

  • Apple Nears $4 Trillion Valuation on iPhone 17 Demand Surge

    AAPL jumped 3.94% to $262.24 — a new all-time high — tacking on $147.5B in market cap in a single session. iPhone 17 sales are running 14% above last year, with China demand on fire. Reuters

  • Tesla Earnings Wednesday: Record Deliveries vs. Margin Pressure

    TSLA prints Q3 after the bell Wednesday — analysts see $0.55 EPS on $26.27 B revenue. Deliveries hit 497K (+12% QoQ) but margins remain the elephant on wheels. Options imply a ±7% move. Yahoo Finance

  • Regional Bank Credit Concerns Spark Volatility; Zions Beats Despite $50M Fraud Charge-Off

    Zions Bancorp shrugged off a $50 M loan fraud charge and still beat with $1.48 EPS (vs. $1.46 est). Shares rose 2.6%, but the sector remains nervous after similar disclosures from Western Alliance and Fifth Third. Yahoo Finance

  • Fed Rate Cut Expected Next Week Despite Data Blackout

    Shutdown or not, the Fed’s expected to snip 25 bps next week — the second cut in as many months. CPI data was delayed, leaving Powell & Co. flying by feel. Reuters

A Message From Wealth Builders HQ

Trade Futures the Simple Way 

If you've been looking for a trading approach that offers flexibility, lower stress, and works around your schedule—futures trading might be exactly what you need. 

Brandon Wendell, a Chartered Market Technician with over 20 years of professional futures trading experience, is hosting a free training that breaks down everything you need to know about trading futures successfully. 

In this training, you'll discover: 

The Key Differences Between Options and Futures – Learn why many traders are making the switch to futures and how the learning curve is easier than you think. 

How to Find High-Probability Candidates – Stop wasting time on dead-end positions. Brandon shows you his systematic approach to identifying the best opportunities. 

Position Management Strategies – Set up your trades for optimal results without tying up capital for extended periods. 

This training is perfect if you: 

  • Want a less frantic alternative to fast-paced options trading 

  • Have a day job and can't monitor markets constantly 

  • Don't have a massive account but still want solid opportunities 

  • Are tired of complicated strategies that don't deliver 

The futures market is open nearly 24 hours a day, meaning you can trade on your schedule—even at 3 AM if that works for you. Plus, with Brandon's simplified approach, you'll spend less time stressing over trades and more time executing with confidence. 

This is a completely free class with no credit card required. Reserve your spot now and see why thousands of traders trust Brandon's systematic approach to futures. 

Earnings We’re Watching

  • 3M Company (MMM) - Tuesday (BMO) 

  • Coca-Cola Company (KO) - Tuesday (BMO) 

  • Equifax Inc. (EFX) - Tuesday (BMO) 

  • General Motors Corp. (GM) - Tuesday (BMO) 

  • Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) - Tuesday (BMO) 

  • Northrop Grumman Corp. (NOC) - Tuesday (BMO) 

  • Philip Morris International Inc (PM) - Tuesday (BMO) 

  • Verizon Communications (VZ) - Tuesday (BMO) 

  • Capital One Financial Corp. (COF) - Tuesday (AMC) 

  • Chubb Corporation (CB) - Tuesday (AMC) 

  • Mattel, Inc. (MAT) - Tuesday (AMC) 

  • Netflix, Inc. (NFLX) - Tuesday (AMC) 

  • Texas Instruments Incorporated (TXN) - Tuesday (AMC) 

Trade Ideas

Valero Energy Corporation (VLO), Zscaler, Inc (ZS), Astera Labs, Inc (ALAB), Amgen, Inc (AMGN)

QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM), S&P 500 Bull 3x (SPXL), Targa Resources Corp (TRGP), Union Pacific Corporation (UNP)

Cloudfare, Inc (NET), Nucor Corporation (NUE), NXP Semiconductor N.V. (NXPI), Philip Morris International (PM)

Linde plc - Ordinary Shares (LIN), Lowe’s Companies, Inc (LOW), Lam Research Corporation (LRCX), 3M Company (MMM)

CoreWeave, Inc (CRWV), Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc (DKS), Dollar Tree, Inc (DLTR), Kkr (KKR)

Astera Labs, Inc (ALAB), Amgen Inc (AMGN), Builders FirstSource Inc (BLDR), Celestica (CLS)

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

❝

To make money in the markets, you have to be willing to get in the way of danger.

Michael Steinhardt

Why It Matters:

Trading isn’t a spectator sport. The sidelines are safe, but they don’t pay. Every profitable setup — every breakout, reversal, or earnings play — starts with uncertainty. “Getting in the way of danger” doesn’t mean gambling; it means calculated exposure. It’s knowing where the fire is, how hot it burns, and stepping close enough to feel the heat without getting torched.

Great traders don’t avoid risk — they manage it, measure it, and sometimes invite it over for coffee. Because in this game, fortune doesn’t favor the fearless — it favors the prepared.