Join us as we break down Brian’s unique perspective on weathering literal and market storms, analyze heavyweight tickers like Costco and AMD, touch on fresh AI plays, spotlight sectors showing strength, and tap into expert trading psychology. All in a relaxed, friendly style—plenty of laughter, loads of wisdom, and actionable ideas.

Chart Watching: Costco After Earnings

Costco’s Rollercoaster: Near All-Time Highs, Now Testing Key Levels

Ticker: $COST

After a strong earnings report, Costco did what few stocks have managed lately—it made a real move toward its all-time highs, only to pull back hard over the following couple of weeks.

Here’s the set-up:

• Strong earnings report on May 30th sent shares soaring toward all-time highs.
• Quick pullback brings the price right to an anchored VWAP from the high (around $983).
• 50-day moving average is still rising, acting as dynamic support.
• Year-to-date anchored VWAP showing up as a big level.

Brian’s take? Keep an eye on how $COST reacts at these support levels. If it holds, it could be ready for a bounce, but he’s cautious about jumping in early.

Brian says:

“If it fails in here I don’t think you have a lot of downside because we’ve got that 200-day moving average just below. But right now it’s probably just a little bit early with these lower highs and lower lows below the declining five-day moving average since it started its big break.”

Tech Movers: AMD, SMCI, and the Semis

AMD: Fundamentals Meet Momentum

AMD ($AMD) had a big run following a Piper Sandler upgrade. The stock moved from $118 up through $120, both levels called out on the show’s sticky note in real time.

But it’s not just about the headlines. Even after an AI event failed to impress, technicals and timely catalysts mattered more.

Sean’s quick-hit scalps:

• Entry at $118 after the upgrade
• Another long off $120
• Booked the gains as the move ran out of steam

SMCI: Coiling for a Move?

SMCI ($SMCI), a leader in AI server hardware, is coiling up on the daily chart. After getting a little bit of a shakeout last week, Brian is looking for that confirmation above resistance—the classic “wait for the break, not just the bounce.”

“I bought some calls just to have a just-in-case position, just in case it does something like AMD did.”

• Key levels: Resistance near $47-$48. Break and hold here, and a rally to $50s (maybe mid-$50s) is on the table.
• Brian’s approach: Light calls with time, waiting for the proper volume confirmation.

Trading Wisdom:

• Don’t be early on breakouts—let the market show you strength, then pounce.

The Semis as a Group

Brian and Sean both nod to the relative strength in semiconductors—quick moves, powerful trends, but also wild reversals if you’re not careful.

Energy Sector Check-In: Oil, Solar & Favorite Picks

The Only Green Sector: Energy

While the market’s heatmap was mostly red, the only real pocket of green was in the energy sector.

“Solar seems like it’s got problems and energy seems like it’s got some bullish tailwinds.”

Oil ($USO, $XLE)

• Oil up ~2% on the day, holding well above the $68 level.
• XLE (Energy ETF): Rallied almost 10% since the start of the month, now right at its 200-day moving average.
  • A pullback toward the year-to-date anchored VWAP at $86 would make it more attractive.

Solar ($TAN, SolarEdge, etc.)

• Solar stocks continue to slide. As Brian says, “Solar seems like it’s got problems.” Not a bottom-fishing zone right now.

Key Energy Stock Picks

• AR (Antero Resources): Broke out of an inverted head-and-shoulders, now at multi-year highs.
• OXY (Occidental): Back above year-to-date anchored VWAP, but still stuck in a downtrend. Brian prefers AR over OXY.
• TELL (Tellurian): AR and TELL both on the watchlist for momentum, but AR is the clear favorite.

Decision time:

“Would you rather be short solar or long energy? Or maybe neither?”
Brian: “I won’t say neither because that just isn’t a decision…”

Spotlight on Defense Stocks

When geopolitics heat up, defense stocks and ETFs get attention.

• Big names: RTX (Raytheon), LMT (Lockheed Martin), LHX (L3Harris)
• ETFs: $DFEN (bullish 3x EFT)

Brian’s Recent Trades

• LHX: Stopped out after a gap down and failed breakout.
• LMT: Small trade, but the stock’s choppy action makes it hard to hold.
• Raytheon (RTX): Clear leader after a period of consolidation and strength. Brian is keeping a close eye on pullbacks for potential buys.

“LMT looks like it should be able to get going here… but it just trades really too squirrely in here for me, all this volatility. So I’m basically leaving them alone.”

Reddit’s Comeback: Out of the Penalty Box?

Reddit ($RDDT), one of the hottest recent IPOs, is back in play. After spending weeks stuck below resistance, the stock broke above its 200-day moving average and key anchored VWAP levels.

• Recent catalysts: OpenAI and Reddit partnership to provide LLM training data
• Breaking above $125: A major technical sign it’s out of the “penalty box,” now potentially in free skate mode.

“I think it might be a long until we break back down below this $125.”

Technical Look:

• Consolidation for months
• Breakout on heavy volume
• Watching for a pullback and base above $125

Brian’s strategy: Wait for momentum to cool, then buy after a healthy pullback, targeting $155 and possibly $170.

“If it settles down a little bit and rebuilds, I’d like to buy the strength after a pullback from here, right? … You don’t want to buy the hype too, too much on that.”

Crypto Corner: Bitcoin, IBIT, and the Tired Rally

Crypto’s been running hot, but the action this week says “tired” loud and clear. After multiple failed attempts to break new highs, Bitcoin and related ETFs like IBIT are fading.

• Bitcoin: Four failed tries at new highs, now pulling back
• IBIT ETF: Down about 4% on the day; support near $57,500
• Gold comparison: Recent action in BTC is looking a lot like gold’s last correction—pullback to the 50-day moving average, then possible recovery

Brian sees parallels:

“The primary trend in this is still higher. Maybe a pullback down towards that 50-day moving average in the anchor off the April 7th low. That would be nice to kind of reset things and it gets back up in here.”

Strategy:

• Watch the 50-day moving average
• Let the market shake out weak hands before stepping in
• Only buy strength after a solid reset

Swing-Trade Ideas on Watch

Brian’s always on the lookout for new swings—but he’s both cautious and optimistic as the landscape shifts.

Notable Stocks in Focus

SMCI (Revisited):

• Still on Brian’s radar if resistance finally cracks (see above)

ALAB

• Holding strong at $90: Brian’s watching for a shakeout, then a quick recover to confirm a fresh base.
• Range-bound but coiling: No big news, patience is key.
• 9% short float, still down 30% for the year—a potential recipe for a squeeze if momentum shifts.

AABA (pullback play):

• Didn’t make it into the S&P 500, but getting close to key VWAP support. Looking for a sideways turn and then a breakout attempt.

Bonus: Viewer Questions, Trading Psychology, and Community Shoutouts

It wouldn’t be Trader TV without audience interaction. Super chats came in hot, with Joe gifting memberships and others chiming in about Reddit long-term.

Trading Wisdom Highlights

• Don’t chase the hype: Wait for patterns to settle before committing money.
• Use anchored VWAP for clarity: Brian’s bread and butter tool for finding key support and resistance zones.
• Patience > FOMO: Over and over, Brian underlines that waiting for the proper setup beats anticipation every time.

“You don’t want to buy the hype too, too much on that.”

Final Thoughts & Where to Follow Brian

As storms (literal and figurative) roll through the market, one thing stands out—having a plan, sticking to your process, and staying cool makes all the difference.

Brian’s approach centers on anchored VWAP, focusing on price action, and never letting emotion lead the way. Whether he’s calling a breakout in SMCI, looking for support in Costco, or waiting for a tired crypto move to reset, the message is clear:

“Let the market show you what’s in control. Then you decide how to trade it.”

Key Takeaways

• Anchored VWAP is your compass: Use it for finding real support/resistance, better than static levels.
• Wait for price confirmation: Don’t anticipate, participate after the break.
• Quality names give quality bounces: Costco, SMCI, AR, and others—track stocks that have clear catalysts and strong fundamentals.
• Be sector selective: Energy is strong. Defense is volatile. Tech is fast-moving. Adjust risk accordingly.
• Let the shakeouts happen: Best trades come after volatility washes out the weak hands.
• Community matters: Sharing trades and talking setups keeps you sharp—and humble.