SCENARIO 1: Hawkish Pause ("Higher for Longer")
Trades Ideas;
- Buy SPY July 31 $525 put (hedge)
- Buy GLD Aug $220 call
- Short QQQ via inverse ETF (SQQQ) or put spreads
- Buy XLE outright or sell OTM puts for premium
SCENARIO 2: Dovish Pivot (Fed signals Sept cut)
Trade ideas;
- Long NVDA or SMH calls (Aug expiry)
- Buy GLD + BTC spot (or BITO ETF)
- Sell cash-secured puts on QQQ (implied vol remains elevated)
- Buy EEM (short USD exposure)
SCENARIO 3: Sideways Fed
Trade Ideas;
- SPY straddle: Buy SPY July $545 call + $540 put
- VIXY entry near 12–13 level
- Buy XLE / XLU, especially if the yield curve flattens