The modern trader has so much information that it is nearly overwhelming; there are great resources out there to suit the needs of every type of trader and new ones are showing up daily; that is really neat but it is also … just TOO MUCH!

Also - this post ties in really well with another post - Economic Events. Be sure to check it out.

With so many services out there - let’s discuss some of the paths this can take and discuss what is really going to benefit you. Most of these services are going to cost you something - but - there is light out there for those who are not ready to spend money & we’ll cover some of that today as well (Twitter).

I want to point out - that none of these links are an affiliate link. I have access to some of these tools for free - given to me because I use them in my posts and I share my perspective on them. I do not get any money for talking about these tools - or for promoting them.

I am not trying to sell you something or get you to buy something - but - you do NEED SOMETHING to help you monitor the actions that are taking place under the surface. If your not using these tools - what are you using? Let me know - I love finding new and useful tools that make our life as traders a little less difficult.

Multiple Paths

Some tools I use - are designed for day traders and they are nearly all focused on Options data and on flows. Stock flow, Options Flow and Futures contracts flows. This is different than the “old school volume” - what a quaint and nostalgic concept!

Other Tools that I use - focus on Fundamental Data and market dynamics (like macro concepts). Looking at historical market behaviors and known events in the past is really useful for trading potential moves in the future.

TradeTech

There are TradeTech firms which provide quantitative analysis; this can be options data, stock data, government data, treasuries data … you get the idea. Model Development and Data Analysis - this is a unique skill-set that comes from years of experience.

There are firms out there - who provide this data into chewable nuggets of information; some do it daily, some do it weekly, and some do it monthly. (I’m sure that there is even some who do it quarterly). The trick is - to find something that you are able to access, digest, and act upon.

All the data in the world will do you no good - if it sends you into analysis paralysis or if it is too complex. Over the years - I have found that I come back to a few really great resources over and over again. Below is the start of this list - and I’ll add to this list as time goes on (so make sure you check back again later!).

Spot Gamma

Over the years - the Spot Gamma founders note has been a “go to” thing for me. This brief write-up covers important events for the day and upcoming events within the month or quarter that can influence markets today.

This is a consistent stopping point for me; each day - I go to Spot Gamma to read their take on what happened yesterday in the options world and then I read what is on the table today. They have Options Levels that I can import into my charts on ThinkorSwim, TradingView, and JigSaw Trader each day.

Their tools are a little complex for newer traders - but the founders note uses these tools and discusses the signals within the tools - providing amazing insight into the markets and the website has a lot of trader resources to help you better understand some of the language used.

Their website also has great tools for evaluating the intraday options influence on the markets - not just for the indexes like SPY or QQQ. If you have not been there before - it’s a great place. Go Check it out.

Of course - they have a Twitter (X) account as well - if you want to monitor what they are talking about through the day. They have a really good YouTube channel to learn more about their tools if you are interested.

TradyTics

TradyTics is another great resource; and their discord bot makes life so much easier. Throughout the day I can ping a command on Discord and get charts like the one above. This provides insight into potential “Zero day” options flows or “under the surface” options dynamics in a easily understood picture.

They also have a great blog post section and a YouTube channel discussing these tools.

Their website is great and provides all sorts of tools designed for day trading - including many “zero day” options tools. You can also check them out on Twitter (X) and see what they are calling out.

MenthorQ

MenthorQ has some great tools - on their website and built within their discord; unfortunately - I do not believe they have published a Discord bot like TradyTics yet; so to use their Discord tools you have to be in their discord.

They provide some great data; and on their Twitter (X) they offer some great analysis of that data. Within their Discord - they have traders using these levels to post trade ideas and discuss the market moves through the day.

Their tools tie into TradingView really well; this is one of the more modern companies who have really thought out how traders will use their tools. Their YouTube channel has some great “use case” videos and content if you want to check it out.

Big Short

The Big Short website has an interesting tool development; I’ve only recently found this place but so far - I really like the granular insight their tools provide. Unfortunately - they do not have any Discord Tools or Bots; they do have a discord community and offer assistance with understanding their tools within that community.

TradingVolatility

At TradingVolatility - there are some great tools to evaluate todays GEX levels - and to export a whole watchlist of options levels in a single document for TradingView and TOS. They have some great articles published on Substack which discusses things like GEX and Gamma Exposure.

Every day - I download todays levels for the stocks, index ETF’s and Sector ETF’s that I like to trade and I evaluate the GEX Flip point on the $SPX and $SPY. This company ties into Tradier Brokerage and Stockcharts.

Edgeful

Edgeful is an exciting new type of website - offering insight into market history and statistical data - on an intraday timeframe! This site is very cool - and has tools for TradingView as well.

There are not very many websites that I know of - who focus so strongly on the backtested or statistical intraday price action. At Edgeful - I can evaluate so much and they are constantly adding new material. The data is extremely robust - and useful.

Stopping Point

Ok - I am going to stop here. (oh no - I’m not done). There are so many more places to hit - but for today this is a good stopping point. Check back later for updates to this blog post. Before I go - one more stopping point for you; the ThinkOrSwim WorkBook Discord.

ThinkOrSwim WorkBook Discord

The ThinkOrSwim WorkBook Discord is where I have shared my personal studies, charts, scans, watchlists as well as anything that I have found on the internet over the years (as long as it was free to use and not a paid to use indicator).