🌎 MARKET CONTEXT CPI IS OUT. • August CPI: +0.4% MoM • CPI: +3.4% YoY • Core CPI: +0.3% MoM / +2.4% YoY • SPY: $765.81 • QQQ: $716.93 • IWM: $291.10 • VIX: 15.93 • 10-Year Treasury remains elevated • Oil remains a major inflation/geopolitical factor • ORCL is showing post-earnings strength • AI / Semiconductors showing strong premarket momentum MAIN THEME: CPI did not deliver the major upside inflation surprise the market feared. SPY, QQQ and IWM are showing premarket strength while VIX has fallen below 16. That gives BUYERS the early advantage. But confirmation after the opening bell still matters. 🔗 Source: Reuters https://www.reuters.com/ BLS CPI https://www.bls.gov/cpi/ 📊 VIX GAME PLAN Current VIX: 15.93 🟢 Under 16 = Buyers In Control 🟡 16–18 = Caution 🔴 Above 18 = Sellers In Control VIX < 16 + QQQ holds/reclaims structure = FAVOR CALLS VIX > 16 + QQQ loses structure = FAVOR PUTS CURRENT READ: 🟢 BUYERS IN CONTROL VIX: 15.93 QQQ: $716.93 SPY: $765.81 If VIX stays below 16 and QQQ holds its premarket strength after the open, calls have the advantage. If VIX moves back above 16 while QQQ loses structure, become more cautious. 🟢 CALL WATCHLIST 1️⃣ ORCL — $164.79 Catalyst: Earnings + AI / Cloud growth Reclaim: $165 Targets: $168 $170 $175 GAME PLAN: $165 reclaim + VWAP hold + volume + QQQ strength = CALL CONFIRMATION 2️⃣ AMD — $512.80 Catalyst: AI / Semiconductor momentum Reclaim: $513 Targets: $518 $522 $528 GAME PLAN: $513 reclaim + semiconductor strength + QQQ holds + volume = CALL CONFIRMATION 3️⃣ META — $657.53 Catalyst: AI momentum + relative strength Reclaim: $658 Targets: $665 $670 $675 GAME PLAN: $658 reclaim + VWAP hold + QQQ strength = CALL CONFIRMATION 4️⃣ NVDA — $221.43 Catalyst: AI / Semiconductor momentum Reclaim: $222 Targets: $225 $228 $230 GAME PLAN: $222 reclaim + semiconductors remain strong + QQQ holds structure = CALL CONFIRMATION 5️⃣ AAPL — $326.75

🌎 MAJOR MARKET CATALYSTS • CPI IS TODAY’S MAIN EVENT August Consumer Price Index data is due this morning and is likely to be the biggest market-moving event of the session. Economists expect headline CPI to rise about 0.4% month over month and 3.4% year over year, while core CPI is expected to increase about 0.2% for the month. The report could significantly change expectations for next week’s Federal Reserve meeting. Source: Reuters — Gasoline likely to boost U.S. consumer prices in August • STOCK FUTURES ARE REBOUNDING At approximately 5:31 AM ET, Dow futures were up about 0.53%, S&P 500 futures were up 0.54%, and Nasdaq-100 futures were up 0.57%. The rebound comes after a difficult week for stocks as oil prices, inflation concerns and Treasury yields increased. Source: Reuters — Wall St futures recover as oil slides ahead of inflation test • OIL PULLS BACK, BUT REMAINS ABOVE $100 Brent crude fell more than 3% this morning to approximately $104 while WTI moved back toward $99-$100. Despite today’s decline, oil remains up more than 7% for the week after Middle East supply disruptions pushed Brent as high as $109.97. The pullback is helping futures this morning, but oil remains a major inflation risk. Source: Reuters — Oil set for weekly gain of over 7% on supply disruptions • MIDDLE EAST SUPPLY RISK IS FAR FROM OVER Oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz remain restricted as tensions between the U.S. and Iran continue. Iran-aligned Houthi forces have also taken control of Yemen’s Mocha port, increasing concerns around Red Sea shipping. Any additional disruption to either shipping route could quickly put upward pressure back on crude and refined products. Source: Reuters — Oil set for weekly gain of over 7% on supply disruptions • DIESEL PRICES HIT A RECORD The U.S. national average diesel price moved above $6 per gallon Thursday for the first time on record as Middle East supply disruptions and Russian refinery outages tightened refined-product markets.