The end of August is almost always a weird time in the market.
The screens are on and prices are moving, but a lot of the real players are gone.
Volume’s light. Conviction’s thin. And just when you think a setup looks clean, it reverses right in your face.
I’ve seen more traders get chopped up during this dead zone than almost any other time of year because they confuse movement with opportunity.
They try to force August to pay like a normal month. And in the process, they walk right into the wood chipper.
However … September is a different beast entirely.
Historically, it’s the most volatile month of the year, with big moves, fast shifts, and real money starting to re-enter the market.
Funds reposition and earnings outlooks shift. Economic data suddenly matters again.
The problem is, most retail traders walk into September already wounded.
They’ve taken three or four paper cuts a week in August, chasing fake breakouts and second-rate setups. And by the time the real moves start showing up, they’re either too mentally beat up or too under-capitalized to take advantage.
You don’t want to be that guy — so listen closely to what I’m about to say.
Sweet September
I’ve had quarters where the first six weeks were dead, and then September hit and made my entire year.
But that only worked because I stayed patient and protected my capital. And when the market opened up, I was ready to hammer my spots.
Here’s how I suggest you position ahead of September:
1. Tighten up your playbook — now. September’s moves are bigger, but they’re not random. You want to be crystal clear on the setups that actually work for you, not the 12 setups you learned in some course last year. I’m talking about the two or three that have made you money recently, in all conditions.
Review your last 30 trades. Circle the winners that followed your rules and toss the rest.
2. Get smaller this week. If you’re still swinging full-size trades in a market like this, you’re not trading, you’re gambling. Pull back. Focus on A+ setups. Preserve mental capital as much as financial. The goal here isn’t to crush it. The goal is to stay sharp and liquid.
3. Watch the calendar like a hawk. The second week of September is where things usually heat up. Labor Day’s done. Desks are full. CPI and Fed meetings are right around the corner. Big players start placing bets, and the tape gets real.
You want to be ready, not reactive.
4. Know your levels before the bell. In a high-volatility month like September, you don’t want to be thinking on the fly. That’s how you end up chasing green candles and selling the bottom.
Map out your key levels the night before. Set alerts. Know where the traps are — and where the real breakout zones sit.
5. Respect the speed. September doesn’t give you time to “think it over.” You either trust your prep and act or you hesitate and get left behind. That’s why doing the work now matters. When things heat up, there’s no time for second-guessing.
Save It for Later
Bottom line: The way you trade this week sets the tone for the next six.
You can either waste energy chasing garbage or you can lock in, clean up your charts, and get ready to strike when it matters.
I know what I’m doing.
Stay street smart,
Jeff Zananiri
P.S. If you really want to spot potential wins, join us today at 4 p.m. ET for a special Gamma Code seminar with Danny Phee.
He’ll walk through the setups driving real results in this market — what’s working, what to avoid, and how he’s positioning right now.
If you’re serious about trading options with precision, this is one session you’ll want to catch.
*Past performance does not indicate future results
