Today, I want to shine a light on one of the most unpredictable corners of the market, second only to the madness of pre-market.
Maybe you’ve dipped your toe into it before. Maybe you’ve had mixed results…
This type of trading can be just as wild and unpredictable as those early morning moves before the opening bell.
And speaking of wild and unpredictable, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is about to trigger a game-changing event.
Nothing will be the same after this…
Fortunately, my colleague and legendary trader, Tim Sykes, has a handle on it and knows exactly what you need to do BEFORE this happens.
Find out in his video below…
The segment of the market I’m talking about today can chew you up and spit you out very quickly…
But that doesn’t mean you should avoid it altogether.
Just like anything with a lot of risk, the rewards can be just as great.
Table of Contents
After-Hours Trading
After-hours trading can be just as perilous and chaotic as trading pre-market.
It’s the Wild West of the trading world.
But if you’re seasoned, have a plan, and are ready to take the challenge, it could be exactly right for you.
Understanding Market Sessions
A typical trading day is broken into three parts:
- Pre-market: 4:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. ET
- Regular hours: 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET
- After-hours: 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET
And remember, only Nasdaq and NYSE-listed stocks trade during extended hours.
OTC stocks are traded strictly during regular hours. These stocks are already volatile enough without the added insanity of pre- and post-market trading.
Why After-Hours Can Be Risky
Just like pre-market, after-hours trading is thin, volatile, and full of traps.
You’ll see wild price swings…
But don’t let that fool you. It doesn’t mean opportunity is everywhere. It means you have to be selective, extremely selective.
And without a strategy, you’re basically gambling.
What I Look for in After-Hours Trades
If you’re serious about trading after-hours, here’s the checklist I stick to:
- It’s a recent high-volume runner.
- Has a low float (the lower, the better).
- There’s a news catalyst or major development.
- It’s breaking through a key technical level.
- It has a history of spiking, ideally with short squeeze potential.
If a stock doesn’t check most (or all) of those boxes, I leave it alone.
But if it does, you might have a great trade setup waiting to be taken.
Another big trade opportunity is imminent…
Did you know that July 30, 2025, could be a historic turning point?
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- +120% on WULF
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- +250% on DJT
- +121% on QS
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A Reality Check
You’re not going to find a clean after-hours setup every night.
One evening might give you an explosive runner…
And the next? Nada.
If your entire focus is on after-hours plays, you’re going to struggle with consistency.
Don’t forget that trading after 4 p.m. requires your full attention.
If your evenings are packed with errands, dinner, or family time, this might not be the right window for you.
You can’t just set a trade and walk away. Stocks can spike or crash in minutes.
My Final Thoughts…
I’ve had some solid wins in the after-hours…
But I’ve also taken my fair share of hits.
For me, the consistency just isn’t there like it is during regular hours.
That’s why I treat after-hours trades like I do lotto tickets. I make the trade only when everything lines up perfectly.
Trade after-hours only when the setup is clean, the catalyst is strong, and your head’s 100% in the game.
If not, skip it…
There’s always another opportunity coming, usually when the market’s fully awake.
Have a great day, everyone. See you back here tomorrow.
Tim Bohen
Lead Trainer, StocksToTrade
P.S.
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