Market Volatility Is STILL Off the Charts

Don Kaufman here.

The expected move for the S&P this week is a whopping $150. Let that sink in for a minute.

We're seeing $66 expected moves in a single day, and I'm watching liquidity dry up faster than a puddle in the desert.

When I see only four contracts at the top of book where there used to be hundreds, you better believe something's up.

This Ain't Your Normal Market Anymore

Last week, we saw a 400-point move in the S&P – from the bottom to the high – in what amounts to an 8-9% swing.

And here's what nobody's talking about: even though we've had this magnificent rip back to the upside, the volatility metrics are still screaming. The VIX is still above 25, and those weekly expected moves are telling the real story.

Are we through the worst of it? Heck no.

When market makers are scared to take on risk, when liquidity is thinner than my patience for CNBC talking heads, that's when you need to pay attention.

Two-Sided Trade Activity Is Coming

I don't care what the advanced decline line says right now. Don't waste your GPU trying to predict what's out here – you're just burning compute cycles on something unknowable.

But I'll tell you what I do know: when volatility is this elevated, you're going to see explosive two-sided trade activity.

The market's up one day, down 168 points the next, then ripping back again. This isn't normal, folks. This is opportunity.

My Strategy When Everything Is Wild

When I see a marketplace this volatile, I'm looking for specific setups:

Butterflies with defined risk – I just placed a $20-wide SPX put butterfly for 45 cents. That's a cheap shot at capturing a move to the downside with strictly limited risk.
In-out spreads on overextended sectors – I'm specifically looking at financials that have had a stellar rip. Wells Fargo and other banks that have overperformed are sitting in my crosshairs.
Targeting sectors with relative weakness – Tech is looking heavy today, especially names like NVIDIA that are facing deep competition. I'm watching these closely for potential short-side trades.

The beauty of these strategies is that I'm not trying to predict exactly what's going to happen.

I'm taking small, calculated positions with explosive upside. I'm not overextending risk in a market that's completely unpredictable.

Reading Between the Lines

Look at the bonds – they just had a huge bid back after selling off hard. Look at Emerging Markets – after a magnificent rip, they're ripe for a pullback.

And watch the expected moves across the board. They're telling you everything you need to know about what's possible.

When I placed that butterfly on the SPX, I'm not asking for a lot. It's a $20-wide fly that cost me 45 cents. If we hit, that 45 cents turns into $20. That's the kind of asymmetric risk-reward I'm looking for in this environment.

Turn Market Mayhem Into Cold, Hard Cash

This is exactly the kind of market environment I thrive in. While most traders are freaking out and freezing up, I'm mapping out precise trades with defined risk that can deliver outsized returns.

But here's the thing – these strategies aren't something you can just pick up overnight. They require a deep understanding of volatility, options mechanics, and market structure.

That's why I've put together my 4-Week Volatility Mentorship starting this Thursday, May 1st.

In this intensive program, I'm going to break down exactly how I:

Construct volatility spreads that work when markets seem to be spiraling out of control
Navigate volatility futures without getting caught in the day trader trap
Use the VIX not just as a fear gauge, but as a powerful trading tool for both profit and portfolio protection

Stop Fearing Volatility – Start Profiting From It

Listen, the marketplace is moving. These expected moves aren't showing signs of calming down anytime soon.

You've got a choice to make: continue to get whipsawed by this two-sided market OR learn how to position yourself to turn this volatility into consistent profits.

I've been trading professionally for years, turning market chaos into opportunity time and time again.

Now I'm laying out my exact blueprint for how you can do the same. No fluff, no BS – just the battle-tested strategies I use every day.

The mentorship starts Thursday. If you're tired of getting your face ripped off by these wild market swings, if you want to learn how to stay calm and collected while banking profits that others are missing, then I want to see you there.

Don't waste any more time or money trying to figure this out on your own. This market isn't waiting for anyone.

Join my 4-Week Volatility Mentorship and let's turn this market mayhem into cold, hard cash.

To your success,

Don Kaufman