3 Hot Trades & My Playbook to Profit in Any Market 🚀

BY MARK SEBASTIAN

April 17, 2025 

Dear Money-Maker, Mark here. 

 

Today, I want to walk you through a few trading ideas that caught my attention. 

 

But before we dive into the numbers, let me say this: trading isn’t just about analyzing charts and data—it’s about making good decisions and steering clear of the bad ones.

 

And bad decisions? 

 

They’re everywhere. 

 

You see them in life just as often as you see them in the market. 

 

Like wearing Crocs to a family dinner or calling Olive Garden authentic Italian food. 

 

These are the kinds of choices that make you stop and wonder, “What were they thinking?”

 

 In trading, it’s the same as overpaying for options that have no shot of paying off.

 

So, let’s break down three trades that actually have potential. 

 

#1: El Dorado Gold Corp (EGO): A Golden Opportunity?

 

Let’s kick things off with El Dorado Gold (Ticker: EGO)

Gold has always been the ultimate safe haven. In times of uncertainty, it tends to shine brighter than ever. 

 

Recently, I noticed a buyer snapping up 6,000 of the July 25 calls at $0.50—a serious bet on a rally in gold.

 

Why does this matter? 

 

Gold tends to rise when people are nervous about inflation, the economy, or the general state of the world. If you think volatility is around the corner, this trade could make a lot of sense.

 

Gold has been on a heater lately, so you don’t want to get carried away with this one. 

 

It’s like those endless breadsticks at Olive Garden. 

 

Sure, they sound amazing at first, but by the fifth one, you’re wondering what you just did to yourself. 

 

Keep it balanced.

 

If you’re bullish on gold, consider dipping your toes into EGO calls. 

 

Just don’t pile in like you’re at an all-you-can-eat buffet.

 

#2: Aurora Innovation (AUR): Betting on Self-Driving Cars

 

Next up is Aurora Innovation (Ticker: AUR), a company that develops software for self-driving cars. This one popped up after I saw 11,200 of the May 6 calls trade at $0.80, tied to stock.

 

I’ll be honest—this is speculative. Self-driving tech has massive potential, but it’s far from a sure thing, especially for smaller players like Aurora. 

 

This trade? 

 

It’s like wearing Crocs in public. 

It might make sense in very specific situations (like if you’re on your feet all day in a hospital), but it’s not something you want to base your whole reputation—or portfolio—on.

 

If you’re looking for a high-risk, high-reward play and believe in the future of autonomous vehicles, this trade could be worth a shot. 

 

But don’t forget, trades like this come with bumps along the way—both figuratively and literally.

 

#3: Gap Inc. (GAP): Short Interest and Long-Term Puts

 

Finally, let’s talk about Gap Inc. (Ticker: GAP). Retail is having a tough time, and Gap is no exception. 

Recently, I spotted action in the December 15 puts, which tells me traders are either hedging or betting on a further drop.

 

Now, I don’t hate this trade. Gap has been struggling to adapt to shifting consumer preferences, and supply chain challenges haven’t helped. If you’re bearish on retail, these long-term puts could be a smart move.

 

But here’s the deal: retail stocks can be tricky. 

 

Betting against them is like trusting Olive Garden to serve up a five-star Italian meal. 

 

It might sound good in theory, but you’ll probably regret it halfway through. 

 

If you think Gap’s struggles will continue, these puts make sense—but don’t overcommit. Retail stocks have a way of surprising you when you least expect it.

 

Lessons from Crocs, Olive Garden, and Trading

 

So, what do we take away from all this?

 

  1. Don’t Overcommit to Mediocrity: Whether it’s trades, restaurants, or footwear, don’t settle. Crocs might be comfortable, but they’re not a good look for a night out. Similarly, Olive Garden will fill you up, but it’s not exactly high-quality. In trading, don’t throw your money at something mediocre just because it’s easy or familiar.

  2. Pay Attention to Big Money Flow: All three trades—EGO, AUR, and GAP—show institutional options activity. That’s often a sign that something big is brewing. But remember, not every trade is a winner. Do your homework before jumping in.

  3. Balance Risk and Reward: AUR is speculative, EGO is tied to macro trends, and GAP is a bearish play. Each trade has its risks and rewards, just like deciding whether to wear Crocs in public. Sometimes it works, but most of the time, it doesn’t.

 

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  • How to identify Big Money Flow to capitalize on trades with massive upside potential.
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I’ll also show you the 4 key indicators that power my strategies, how to set them up, and how you can use them to find your own trades—even after the Masterclass ends.

 

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👉 Secure Your Spot Now

 

Don’t wait—spots are extremely limited, and once they’re gone, they’re gone. 

 

The next market opportunity is here. 

 

Will you be ready to profit from it?

 

Mark “Your Only Option” Sebastian

Mark Sebastian

Founder & CEO, Option Pit

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Mark Sebastian

Mark Sebastian

Mark Sebastian is a former member of both the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) and the American Stock Exchange (AMEX), where he spent years mastering the art of options trading in the most competitive environment imaginable. As Chief Investment Officer at the hedge fund Karman Line Capital, Mark manages sophisticated options strategies for institutional clients. He is the author of two highly regarded books on options trading: ‘The Option Traders Hedge Fund’ and ‘Trading Options for Edge.’ Mark is a frequent guest on major financial networks including CNBC, Fox Business News, Bloomberg, and First Business News, where he provides expert commentary on market volatility and options strategies.

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About the Author

Mark Sebastian

Mark Sebastian

Former CBOE floor trader and CIO at Karman Line Capital. Author of ‘The Option Traders Hedge Fund’ with over 30 years of options trading experience.

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