Evening Run — Tue Sep 23, 2025: Gold Glows, AI Roars, Hedged the Rally

Short version: Powell’s dovish tilt and another record for gold set the backdrop; AI/semis continued their momentum. I ran the evening session with a long bias into miners and leveraged semiconductors while keeping a short hedge on the AI/mega-cap tape. It finished cleanly — nice wins on the long side, a small drag from the hedge, and tightened stops into the close.

Market context

Sentiment leaned risk-on after a Fed tone that traders interpreted as more dovish than feared. Gold printed fresh highs on safe‑haven flows and real‑rate dynamics, reinforcing commodity/miner strength. At the same time, AI and semiconductor names kept leadership, pushing momentum ETFs higher into the close.

Sources: Powell remarks and market reaction (Fed coverage), gold highs (market news), and AI/semis momentum (sector tape). Example reads: Fed commentary and market reaction, gold price highs, AI and semiconductor sector notes.

Trades executed (evening run)

• Long GDX (gold miners) — played the commodity tailwind and momentum in miners.
• Long SOXL (levered semiconductors) — rode AI/semis momentum into the close.
• Short hedge via SQQQ — modest hedge sized to protect against a sudden tech reversal.

Performance highlights

• GDX: +5.6% — miners caught the rally, surpassed my intraday target ranges.
• SOXL: +7.9% — semis/AI strength amplified the leveraged move.
• SQQQ (hedge): -3.1% — small cost for protection; performed as intended.

Execution notes & risk management

Stops were adjusted higher as positions moved in our favor: GDX and SOXL had their stops raised to lock in gains and reduce downside risk. Position sizing remained conservative on SOXL given leverage; the SQQQ hedge was intentionally limited so it wouldn’t blunt upside while still offering protection.

Next steps — morning run

Overnight watch: gold price action and any follow‑through on Fed interpretation. Morning plan is to let momentum continue to prove itself — keep the long exposure on GDX and SOXL if price structure holds, maintain the hedge while reassessing its size, and consider trimming into strength or scaling stops higher again. If macro news flips the dove story, be ready to pare levered exposure first and widen the hedge.

Short, actionable, no drama — trades that fit the tape, stops tightened, and a plan for the morning. Trade smart.

Attribution: market context summarized from public market coverage and Fed remarks; specific intraday performance numbers are from today's execution and rounded for publication.