Ride-the-Wave Strategy – Best for Stock Traders

Ride-the-Wave targets multi-day price momentum following a company’s earnings announcement (EA). With this strategy:

Buy a stock one day post-EA if a stock reacts positively post-earnings:
1. Near the close of trading the EA-day for a pre-market-EA
2. Near the close of the following day for a post-market-EA
Sell-to-close after 7-10 days, or possibly earlier if a desired price target is reached

Similarly,

short a stock one day post-EA if a stock reacts negatively post-earnings:
1. near the close of trading the EA-day for a premarket-EA
2. near the close of the following day for a post-market-EA
then buy-to-close after 7-10 days, or possibly earlier if a desired price target is reached

Important: Ride-the-Wave is predicated on significant price momentum triggered by an EA. The 7-10 day scenario is the maximum trade hold-time. If you see post EA-momentum is halted or reversed by a significant opposite move, re-evaluate your presence in the trade.

This popular StockEarnings screen below will give you a list of stocks that historically exhibit significant price momentum following an EA for the next seven days:

Stocks exhibiting positive post-EA price moves are buy-candidates
Stocks exhibiting negative post-EA price moves are sell/short-candidates

The screen includes those stocks whose Earnings just came out in last two days.

Screen criteria:

Earnings Date Start Date : Current Date + -1 Day
Earnings Date End Date : Current Date + -2 Days
Predicted Move (Next Day) Max : 7%
Predicted Move (On 7th Day) Min : 7%

Strategy Guideline:

Buy the stock if stock has reacted positively. Short the stock if stock has reacted negatively (see above).
Close the position in 7-10 days, or possibly earlier based on price move.

Volatility Crush Strategy - Best for Options Traders

The Volatility Crush strategy is used with stocks that typically experience relatively low-to-moderate price moves (≤4%) following their Earnings Announcements (EA). The basic trade idea is to sell put or call options right before the EA, collecting a credit when options premium is very high due to elevated implied volatility (IV). You then close the position right after the EA by buying the option back much cheaper due to the significant drop in IV that occurs after the mystery of the EA disappears. In assessing this trade, you need to do your homework to ensure you collect sufficient premium to make the trade worthwhile.

This trade is practical due to the low-to-moderate price-move after the EA, which generally won’t significantly affect the options price, unlike an “action” stock, which experience great price moves post-EA. With these symbols, if you’re on the right side of the price move, that’s a great thing. But if you’re on the wrong side of the move, not so great. Consequently, by minimizing the effect of the post-EA price move, you have a much better chance to profit from the reduction in IV without it being ruined by a violent price move.

For this trade, open the position either (1) the night before the EA when the company announces earnings or (2) during the EA day when it announces post-market, generally capturing IV at or close to its peak.

This popular stockearnings screen will give you a list of stocks which do not react more than 4% fpost-EA. It includes only those stocks whose earnings are releasing next day.

Screen criteria:

Earnings Date Start Date : Current Date + 1
Earnings Date End Date : Current Date + 1
Predicted Move (Next Day) Max : 4%
Options Type: Weekly

Strategy Guideline:

Options Strategy: Sell Call and Put
Options Strike Price: Current Stock Price – (% Predicated Move x 2)
Expiration Date: It should generally be the closest expiry immediately after the EA.
Buy Insurance: Buying back Call and Put at Strike price which 10% lower than Sell Strike Price is optional but recommended.

Watch Video for More Detail

Volatility Rush Strategy - Best for Options Traders

The Volatility Rush takes advantage of increasing options premiums into earnings announcements (EA) caused by an anticipated rise in Implied Volatility (IV). With this strategy, Buy a Call and Put at-the-money (a long straddle) 2-3 weeks before the EA when IV is lower. Sell the position either (1) the night before the EA when the company announces earnings pre-market, or (2) during the EA day when it announces post-market, generally capturing IV at or close to its peak.

This popular screen will give you a list of stocks whose Options premiums tend to rise into Earnings. It includes only those stocks whose Earnings are at least two weeks away from today.

Screen criteria:

Earnings Date Start Date : Current Date + 15 Days
Earnings Date End Date : Current Date + 30 Days
Predicted Move (Next Day) Min : 5%
Options Type: Weekly or Monthly if that lines up with the two to three-week lead-time for entering the trade

Strategy Guideline:

Buy a Straddle at or close to the money two to three weeks pre-EA.
Sell the position either the night before the EA when the company announces earnings pre-market, or during the EA day when it announces post-market.
Expiration date should generally be the closest expiry immediately after the EA.
Straddle price should not be more 60% of predicted move.

Predicted Move (Volatility)

Similar to Implied Volatility in Options. Expected volatility % based on our Proprietary Volatility Predication Model. We are expecting that stock price will likely to reach % in either direction by the end of next trading session after Earnings are released and not necessarily the closing volatility %.

Why is it important?

This indicator helps

Knowing expected volatility in stocks after Earnings helps to decide trading stocks before Earnings Announcement.
Taking Advantage of volatility collapse following Earnings Results by using Advance Options strategies such as Spread and Straddles.

Since Last Earnings

Change in share price since last Earnings release.

Why is it Important?

When share has gained more than 10% since it's last Earning release, it tends to over react to minor bad news and give up some gains if not all. So, it contains more downside volatility than upside When share has dropped more than 10% since it's last Earning release, it tends to over react to minor good news and recover some drops if not all. So, it contains more upside volatility than downside.

EPS Surprise (%)

Occurs when a company's reported quarterly or annual profits are above or below analysts' expectations. Here is the formula to derive % EPS Surprice:

Actual EPS - Estimated EPS
------------------------------------- x 100
Estimated EPS

Why is it Important?

Earnings surprises can have a huge impact on a company's stock price. Several studies suggest that positive earnings surprises not only lead to an immediate hike in a stock's price, but also to a gradual increase over time. Hence, it's not surprising that some companies are known for routinely beating earning projections. A negative earnings surprise will usually result in a decline in share price.

Next Day Price Change (%)

Next Regular trading session Closing price following Earnings result.

For After Market Close Earnings, It is a next trading day closing price. For Before Market Open Earnings, It is the same trading day closing price.

Why is it Important?

Next Day price change is a reaction of Earnings result.

Apple Delivers Strong Quarter, but Soft Guidance Sparks Selloff

Posted on Jul 31, 2026 by Ian Cooper

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) delivered better-than-expected financial results for its latest quarter, but that wasn’t good enough for Wall Street, which sent the tech giant down $25 in pre-market.

The company reported $109.42 billion in revenue for its fiscal third quarter, beating Wall Street’s estimate of $108.65 billion. Strong sales of iPhones, Mac computers and wearable devices helped drive the results.

However, AAPL also warned that revenue growth will slow in the current quarter.

The company expects growth of 9% to 11%, below analysts’ forecast of 12%. That outlook sent Apple shares down nearly 8% after the earnings report.

Strong Quarter, Mixed Results

Apple’s biggest products continued to perform well.

Revenue from the iPhone, Mac and wearables businesses all came in above expectations. But not every part of the company had a strong quarter. Sales from Apple’s Services division, which includes iCloud, Apple Music and the App Store, came in slightly below expectations. iPad revenue also missed Wall Street’s estimates.

However, while the company says demand for its products remains strong, the company can’t make enough devices to keep up. Chief Financial Officer Kevan Parekh said shortages of important components are limiting production, especially for the iPhone. Higher memory prices are also increasing Apple’s costs, putting pressure on profit margins.

Analysts are Still Bullish

JPMorgan believes the company’s biggest challenges are temporary. Supply shortages may delay sales rather than eliminate them altogether, meaning AAPL could recover some of that revenue in future quarters.

And despite lowering some price targets, most Wall Street firms continue to recommend buying AAPL. Morgan Stanley expects near-term pressure but believes future product launches could lift shares. The firm has an overweight rating on the stock, with a price target of $340 a share. The firm also noted that:

“The headwinds in relation to supply and costs are combining with incremental pressure from FX headwinds into the Sep-Q to lead to an F4Q (Sep-Q) revenue and underlying gross margin (excluding tariff refunds) outlook, both of which are below our and Street expectations. However, in thinking about the long-term ramifications of the above headwinds, we expect: 1) supply constraints to primarily push out revenue realization from the strong demand cycle into the future quarters rather than being lost revenue; and 2) FX headwinds are likely to turn more benign starting the Dec-Q if current rates hold,” as quoted by CNBC.

Goldman Sachs has a buy rating, with a price target of $360. The firm, as quoted by CNBC, said that, “Although results and the forward quarter guidance clearly disappointed, we think sentiment should improve over the next 1-2 quarters as (1) price increases (Mac, iPad, and eventually iPhone) and price/mix from premium products drive upside to revenue and mitigate margin headwinds (though acknowledging continued cost inflation); (2) volume declines prove better-than-expected as affordability measures (e.g., Apple Upgrade program), new product innovation (e.g., Siri AI, new Mac, iPad, home products), and education & enterprise share gains help mitigate price-volume elasticity; and (3) Services growth stabilizes from increased demand for iCloud+ (tokens) and AppleCare+ (product momentum).”

Citi expects the company’s next iPhone launch and expanded Siri AI features to become important growth drivers. The firm has a buy rating, with a $365 price target.

Bank of America says Apple’s Services business still has plenty of room to grow, especially as the company introduces more AI-powered features. The firm has a buy rating, with a price target of $380 a share.

The Bottom Line For Apple

AAPL delivered a solid quarter, beating revenue expectations and showing strong demand for many of its products. But investors were more focused on slower growth, supply shortages, and uncertainty surrounding Apple’s AI strategy.

While the next few quarters could remain challenging, most analysts believe the company’s long-term outlook is still strong. Upcoming iPhone launches, new AI features, and improving supply conditions could help the company regain momentum.

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Over the last 26 years, he’s taught thousands of investors how to trade news flow and herd mentality using a unique blend of technical and fundamental analysis. Cooper was among the few analysts to spot the financial crisis of 2008, the top of subprime and Alt-A, the death of Lehman Brothers, Bear Stearns, and New Century Financial, and even the Dow’s collapse to 6,500, as well as its recovery. He even called for gold to rally well above $1.500 when it traded under $600. At the moment, Cooper makes use of technical, fundamental and news analysis, to help individual investors grow their wealth. He’s a firm believer that hard work and thorough research will lead to investment success.

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Ride-the-Wave Strategy – Best for Stock Traders

Volatility Crush Strategy - Best for Options Traders

Volatility Rush Strategy - Best for Options Traders