setup-recap
Whalor Setup Recap: August 25, 2026
5 resolved options setups, 4 profitable outcomes, 80% profitable, plus price action, alert rationale, and the complete contract-by-contract receipts.
Session price action
On August 25, 2026, the major indices experienced tight intraday ranges, ultimately closing slightly below their opening prices but above their respective session volume-weighted average prices (VWAP). $SPY opened at 766.16, fluctuated between 763.05 and 766.78, and closed at 765.76 (-0.05% from the open, above session VWAP of 765.32). $QQQ opened at 711.22, traded within a 707.45–714.04 range, and closed at 710.57 (-0.09% from the open, above session VWAP of 710.46). $IWM opened at 299.60, traded between 297.97 and 299.78, and finished at 299.25 (-0.12% from the open, above session VWAP of 298.88).
Why the setups fired
Five options setups triggered during the session based on technical intraday price levels:
- $IWM near 298.81: A bearish failed_breakout_breakdown_trap fired, featuring a resistance trap rejection, 5-minute failed breakout, and 1-minute failed breakout loss.
- $SPY near 765.80: A bearish ema_pullback_continuation fired, utilizing a supportive 15-minute trend, a 5-minute 21EMA pullback rejection, and a 1-minute pullback rejection.
- $QQQ near 713.17: A bullish failed_breakout_breakdown_trap triggered via a support trap reclaim, 5-minute failed breakdown, and 1-minute failed breakdown reclaim.
- $QQQ near 709.25: A bearish ema_pullback_continuation fired with a supportive 15-minute trend, 5-minute 21EMA pullback rejection, and 1-minute pullback rejection.
- $SPY near 765.07: A bullish zero_dte_ema13_reclaim triggered on a 5-minute EMA13 reclaim and 1-minute EMA reaction high break.
What the outcomes showed
Out of 5 resolved setups, 4 were profitable and 1 resulted in a loss, representing an 80.0% win rate. One-contract modeled P&L for the day was +$17, bringing the month-to-date (MTD) record through this session to 61 resolved setups, 47 profitable, 14 losses (77.0% win rate), and +$1,729 in modeled P&L.
Among the winning trades, the $SPY $765 PUT gained +100% (tracked peak +227%). Both the $IWM $299 PUT and the $QQQ $709 PUT reached profit taken at +50% (tracked peaks of +78% and +95%, respectively). The $SPY $765 CALL secured a +30% return (tracked peak +48%). The lone losing setup, the $QQQ $712 CALL, was stopped out for a -65% loss after reaching a tracked peak of +4%. Tracked peaks represent theoretical maximums during a setup’s duration and are not indicative of achievable exits.
What traders can learn
The session demonstrated the effectiveness of bearish setups in a market where indices closed below their opens. Both $SPY and $QQQ EMA pullback continuations capitalized on downside momentum. Conversely, the bullish $QQQ $712 CALL setup near 713.17 failed to sustain upward momentum as $QQQ drifted to close at 710.57, highlighting the risk of fighting intraday weakness.
To review every setup and its stock-candle outcome replay, visit the Whalor app.
Month-to-date record
Through August 25, 2026, Whalor has recorded 47 profitable outcomes and 14 losses across 61 resolved setups (77.0% profitable). The one-contract modeled result is +1729 dollars under the published methodology below.
Every resolved setup
| Contract | Setup | Outcome | Return | Tracked peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $IWM $299 PUT · 2026-08-25 | failed_breakout_breakdown_trap: resistance_trap_rejection / 5m_failed_breakout / 1m_failed_breakout_loss | PROFIT TAKEN | +50% | +78% |
| $SPY $765 PUT · 2026-08-25 | ema_pullback_continuation: 15m_trend_supportive / 5m_21ema_pullback_reject / 1m_pullback_rejection | PROFIT TAKEN | +100% | +227% |
| $QQQ $712 CALL · 2026-08-25 | failed_breakout_breakdown_trap: support_trap_reclaim / 5m_failed_breakdown / 1m_failed_breakdown_reclaim | STOPPED OUT | -65% | +4% |
| $QQQ $709 PUT · 2026-08-25 | ema_pullback_continuation: 15m_trend_supportive / 5m_21ema_pullback_reject / 1m_pullback_rejection | PROFIT TAKEN | +50% | +95% |
| $SPY $765 CALL · 2026-08-25 | zero_dte_ema13_reclaim: ema13_reclaimed / 5m_ema13_reclaim / 1m_ema_reaction_high_break | PROFIT TAKEN | +30% | +48% |
Methodology: Modeled P&L assumes one contract per setup. A setup that reached +50% is counted at +50%; otherwise a setup that reached +30% is counted at +30%; all other resolved outcomes use the recorded exit return. Tracked peak is hindsight context, not an assumed exit. Educational only, not financial advice.