April 9, 2026

Markets:

U.S. stock futures dipped Thursday, giving back some of the sharp gains from the previous session, as traders continue to monitor the Middle East after the U.S. and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire.

On Tuesday night, Trump agreed to pause attacks on Iran. The Middle Eastern conflict has been going on for five weeks and has resulted in the closure of the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

The “double sided” ceasefire, however, was contingent on Iran agreeing to reopening the strait. Tehran agreed to reopen the waterway for the next two weeks as long as all attacks are halted, according to a statement from Iran’s Foreign Minister. Media reports said that Israel has also agreed to the ceasefire.

But later on Wednesday, Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused the U.S. of already violating the ceasefire agreement. The violations are Israel’s continued attacks on Lebanon, a drone’s entry into Iranian airspace and the denial of the Islamic Republic’s right to enrich uranium, he said.

U.S. military forces will remain deployed in and around Iran until Tehran fully complies with the “real agreement,” President Donald Trump said Wednesday, warning that any breach would trigger a military response larger than anything seen before.

Meanwhile, overall traffic through the strait has still not improved since the ceasefire deal was announced, as only some bulk carriers — which carry dry cargo rather than oil — have traversed the key waterway.

Crude prices rose again on Thursday, putting pressure on equities. West Texas Intermediate futures popped 5% to above $99 per barrel. International Brent crude futures traded 4% higher at above $98 a barrel.

Portfolio:

We enter the new day holding one setup in TSLL.  Great day yesterday, booking FSLY. The system has really been on the move this month, and we pointed to this move coming in the markets. With earnings season approaching, things could get electric—especially with the AI and tech revolution that many seem to have forgotten about over the last few months.

Today is all about headlines and watching positioning. That’s what matters most—where the big money and large block traders are positioning themselves. Many names look ready for a true breakout, but we remain cautious as we continue to monitor the situation with Iran and the ceasefire.

It’s close to full attack mode for us, and we truly believe the next several months will provide outstanding opportunities to capitalize on major market moves.