Whalor Setup Recap: August 26, 2026

Session price action

On August 26, 2026, the major indices and $AMZN closed above their respective session volume-weighted average prices (VWAP).

$SPY opened at 764.73, traded between 763.93 and 767.35, and closed at 766.12 (+0.18% from the open, above session VWAP 765.89). $QQQ opened at 708.41, traded in a range of 707.97 to 713.02, and closed at 711.47 (+0.43% from the open, above session VWAP 710.64). $IWM opened at 298.64, traded between 298.13 and 299.95, and closed at 298.97 (+0.11% from the open, above session VWAP 298.90). $AMZN opened at 261.27, traded between 258.24 and 262.05, and closed at 260.56 (-0.27% from the open, above session VWAP 259.71).

Why the setups fired

Early price action led to bearish setups on $QQQ and $IWM as both assets rejected initial moves higher. $QQQ triggered an opening drive reversal near 710.14, and $IWM triggered a similar setup near 299.05, both driven by an opening drive up rejection. On $AMZN, a bearish EMA pullback continuation fired near 260.01 as a 5-minute 21EMA pullback was rejected.

As the market moved higher later in the session, bullish setups materialized. $QQQ triggered an aligned gap fill reversal near 711.06 as it accepted its prior close. Later, $SPY reclaimed its 5-minute EMA13, triggering a bullish zero-DTE setup near 765.98.

What the outcomes showed

All 5 resolved setups today were profitable, yielding a 100.0% win rate and a one-contract modeled P&L of +$276. The average tracked peak across these trades was +89.9%, with 2 setups reaching +100% or higher.

The $IWM $299 Put and the $AMZN $260 Put both reached the +100% threshold, with $AMZN peaking at +183%. The $QQQ $708 Put and $QQQ $710 Call both returned +50%, while the $SPY $766 Call returned +30%.

This session brings the Month-to-Date record to 66 resolved setups, with 52 profitable outcomes and 14 losses, translating to a 78.8% win rate and a modeled P&L of +$2,005.

What traders can learn

The session shows the utility of executing distinct setups based on objective technical triggers rather than holding a fixed market bias. The early bearish reversals transitioned into afternoon bullish reclaims.

Traders should note that tracked peak metrics represent the maximum theoretical contract appreciation during the trade and are not realistic or achievable exits. Managing risk consistently is vital, as shown by the broader Month-to-Date record, which includes 14 losses alongside the profitable setups.

We invite you to review every setup and its stock-candle outcome replay in the Whalor app.

Month-to-date record

Through August 26, 2026, Whalor has recorded 52 profitable outcomes and 14 losses across 66 resolved setups (78.8% profitable). The one-contract modeled result is +2005 dollars under the published methodology below.

Every resolved setup

Contract	Setup	Outcome	Return	Tracked peak
$QQQ $708 PUT · 2026-08-26	opening_drive_reversal: opening_drive_spike_reversing / opening_drive_up_rejection / 1m_opening_drive_reversal_rejection	PROFIT TAKEN	+50%	+65%
$IWM $299 PUT · 2026-08-26	opening_drive_reversal: opening_drive_spike_reversing / opening_drive_up_rejection / 1m_opening_drive_reversal_rejection	PROFIT TAKEN	+100%	+100%
$AMZN $260 PUT · 2026-08-26	ema_pullback_continuation: 15m_trend_supportive / 5m_21ema_pullback_reject / 1m_pullback_rejection	PROFIT TAKEN	+100%	+183%
$QQQ $710 CALL · 2026-08-26	aligned_gap_fill_reversal: gap_down_reversing_higher / gap_down_prior_close_acceptance / 1m_gap_fill_hold_break	PROFIT TAKEN	+50%	+60%
$SPY $766 CALL · 2026-08-26	zero_dte_ema13_reclaim: ema13_reclaimed / 5m_ema13_reclaim / 1m_ema_reaction_high_break	PROFIT TAKEN	+30%	+41%

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.