I’m going to say something that might make some people uncomfortable: 2026 is gonna be a really tough year for stock picking.
The market’s going to throw curveballs, and trying to call which stocks go up or down all year is playing a game where the odds aren’t in your favor. Strategy selection is gonna be way more important than stock selection, especially in a year where increased volatility is kind of the name of the game.
Stock pickers are facing an uphill battle, but option sellers are staring at a year full of potential. I just read recently that the CBOE is looking at its sixth year of growth, and they’re expecting 2026 to break all volume records. More volume and more volatility mean higher option prices if you’re an option seller, and that’s exactly the environment you want to be in.
Income generation is the name of the game this year — more than stock picking. We’re all on the same mission to try to build ourselves into a reliable income-generating machine.
The Strategy That Works No Matter What
If I were making a New Year’s resolution list right now — and it had anything to do with finances or the stock market — here’s what I’d put at the top: Learn the strategies that pay you regardless of market direction.
It doesn’t matter what the broad market’s doing when you’re running a wheel. Up, down, sideways — you’re collecting premium either way. That’s the beauty of it.
Stock pickers need to be right about direction. Option sellers just need to be disciplined about the process.
If you’re not sure where to start, focus on these core skills:
- Selling cash-secured puts
- Running covered calls
- Executing the wheel strategy
Why Volatility Is Your Friend
Most people hate volatility. It scares them. They want smooth, predictable moves. But more volatility means higher option prices if you’re an option seller.
When everyone else is panicking about the chop, I’m pricing puts on names I’d be happy to own. When premiums spike because fear’s running hot, that’s when I’m getting paid the most to take the same risk.
If you’ve been watching from the sidelines or if you’ve been burned trying to pick the next big winner, maybe it’s time to shift gears. Learn the mechanics. Understand the risk. Start small. But start.
Because the traders who figure this out now are going to look back at 2026 as the year they stopped gambling and started getting paid.
Trade well,
Jack Carter
Jack Carter Trading
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*This is for informational and educational purposes only. There is inherent risk in trading, so trade at your own risk.
P.S. Don’t Miss This Crucial Tesla Briefing
Graham and I have already opened the room for today’s Critical Tesla Briefing, and we’ll kick off at exactly 3 p.m. ET.
Our goal is to walk you through why Tesla will be climbing up the ranks of stocks I’ll trade frequently in 2026.
If you tune in, you’ll see:
- Why Wall Street’s 2026 market forecast favors Tesla.
- Exactly what to expect from Tesla in 2026, including our price target.
- A special cash flow strategy for trading the stock that’s been crushing it so far
- And a lot more
Granted, I can’t make absolute guarantees on the market…
But opportunities on Tesla are already opening up, and not only will we show you why trading them is a good idea…
We’ll show you the best possible way to trade them.
So if you’d like that, log in to the room now.
