Next Day Prep #216: Flat Close, Hidden Chaos: Navigating Geopolitical Volatility – Monday 3/2/2026

Episode summary

The S&P 500 closed flat but masked one of the year’s most volatile sessions, with U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran sending defense stocks surging and cruise lines cratering on the same day. The hosts break down why thin breadth tells a darker story than the headline index, which setups actually worked and why, and how to position for tomorrow’s ISM Services PMI with geopolitical risk still elevated. The playbook covers AXON, NVDA, COHR, and XLE with specific levels and scenario planning for both a hot and cool inflation print.