Can you trade for a living? Break down the skills, capital needs, psychology, and pitfalls to turn passion into profession

Ignite your trading mastery in this 92nd edition: Discover if trading for a living fits your life, crush part-time prop trading while balancing work, absorb wisdom from seven top option traders, and master TradingView watchlists for pro-level scans.

Insider Edge: Latest Trading Buzz

🧠 Can you trade for a living? Break down the skills, capital needs, psychology, and pitfalls to turn passion into profession: How to Trade for a Living​

⚡ Part-time prop trading success: Balance full-time job with firm capital—strategies for swing trades, time hacks, and risk wins: Part Time Prop Trading​​

📈 Seven interviews with successful option traders: Rising stars share 10x returns, 0DTE lessons, risk mastery, and theta plays: Seven Interviews with Successful Option Traders​

🚀 Master TradingView watchlists: Pro tips to organize scanners, alerts, and multi-timeframe analysis for options and stocks: Mastering the TradingView Watchlists​

Market Outlook: January 12–17, 2026

Overview

January 12–17, 2026, marks the first major economic test post-holidays, with U.S. CPI (Jan 14), Eurozone Industrial Production (Jan 14), Australia Building Permits (Jan 14), and UK RICS House Prices (Jan 15) dominating. Markets digest 2025's stellar equity returns (+20% S&P) amid AI boom and Fed easing, positioning for 2026's projected 8-12% gains tempered by tariff inflation (~2.7% headline CPI) and valuation froth.​

Key Themes and Drivers

1. Inflation Focus

U.S. CPI (Jan 14) expected at 2.7% headline (down from 3.0%), core 2.6%—lowest since March 2021. Shutdown data gaps make quality suspect; upside risks from tariffs/shelter could delay Fed cuts (June odds ~50%).​

2. Central Bank Signals

No G7 rate decisions, but Fed speeches (e.g., Bowman Jan 14) preview FOMC (Jan 28–29). EM CBs active; ECB speeches guide path.​

3. Global Activity

Eurozone IP MoM (Jan 14, +0.8%), AU Building Permits (Jan 14), IN Unemployment (Jan 14), GB RICS Housing (Jan 15). SA IP YoY (+8.9%) signals EM strength.​

4. Sentiment

Fund managers risk-on per IMI, betting looser policy/growth. S&P discount to fair value supports upside, but volatility looms.​

Key Events Calendar

Market Sentiment and Risks

• Equities: January strength (+1.5% avg); AI/value lead vs. froth (S&P 21x).​
• Bonds: Yields test 4.3%; sticky CPI hawkish.​
• Currencies: USD resilient; AUD/GBP data-sensitive.​
• Commodities: Oil tariff-watch; gold inflation hedge.

Bottom Line

January 12–17 tests inflation trajectory amid seasonality—benign CPI fuels cuts/rally, upside surprises delay Fed. Diversify quality amid vol setup.

US stocks surged to new records early in the first full trading week of 2026, fueled by strong economic data and optimism around President Trump's policies on energy and housing. Major indexes like the Dow and S&P 500 hit all-time highs despite some volatility from sector rotations.​

Record Highs on Jobs Report
The December jobs report showed 50,000 nonfarm payrolls added, below 70,000 forecasts but with unemployment easing, pushing Dow up 0.5% to 49,505 and S&P 500 0.6% to a new peak on Friday. Nasdaq climbed 0.8%, ending the week with broad gains amid chip stock rallies.​

Energy Rally After Venezuela Shift
Energy stocks like Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and ExxonMobil surged on Monday after US removal of Venezuela's Maduro, opening oil reserves; Dow hit record 48,817 on the rally. Trump met oil executives to discuss investments, boosting sector optimism.​

Nuclear Energy and Tech Deals Spark
Oklo shares jumped 13% on a major nuclear deal with Meta for 1GW power in Ohio; Vistra also rose on Meta's nuclear push. Intel soared 7-8% after Trump praised its CEO, while Opendoor and Rocket rose 9% on Trump's $200B mortgage securities plan via Freddie Mac/Fannie Mae.

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Final Key Takeaway
Elevate from assistant sales to trading pro—pair living realities, part-time hacks, option insights, and watchlist power for disciplined wins over weekends and commutes.