Using Fair Value to Trade the Open
June 6, 2025
Today's Pre-Market Snapshot: DJIA
Yesterday’s Close: 42,379.74
Latest Fair Value (FV): 42,649
Implied Sentiment Premium:
FV - Yesterday’s Close = 42,649 - 42,379.74 = +269.26
Translation:
Futures are pricing in a +270 point premium above fair value.
This screams aggressive bullish sentiment.
What This Means for the Open
Predicted Open:
Yesterday’s Close + Premium = 42,379.74 + 270 ≈ **42,650**Why Fair Value Matters Here:
Fair value (42,649) already includes mechanical adjustments (overnight interest costs + dividends).
The extra +270 points = pure trader conviction that the Dow will gap up hard.
Tactical Insights for Traders
What the Premium Tells You:
Urgency: A +270 premium at 8:50 AM ET means buyers are piling in aggressively.
Catalyst-Driven: This isn’t "drift" — it’s reacting to news (e.g., May private non-farm payrolls at 139K vs 126K forecast).
Arbitrage Fuel: Arbs must buy Dow stocks at the open to lock in the futures premium → self-fulfilling rally.
Key Risks:
Gap Fades: If the premium is too extreme (like +270), day traders often "fade the open" (sell the pop).
Volume Check: Thin pre-market volume? The gap could deflate by 10 AM.
News Catalyst: If the rally driver (e.g., Jobs report) disappoints at 10 AM, the earlier market sentiment-driven gains will likely reverse.
How to Trade This
Bullish Scenario:
Ride momentum if:
Volume confirms (NYSE TICK > +800),
Dow futures hold gains past 9:15 AM ET.
Entry: Buy open, target 42,750 (next resistance).
Bearish Fade Scenario:
Short at open if:
Premium shrinks below +200 by 9:25 AM,
Key stocks (e.g., UNH) show weak pre-market bids.
Target: Gap fill toward 42,450.
This particular blog serves as a foundation for my upcoming Trade Tactics Daily morning report, designed specifically for day traders. Here, I examine key market trends, sector movements, and actionable insights, enabling traders to navigate opportunities with confidence and precision.