As the market seems to be on course to challenge its recent highs, one of the more important developments underneath the surface is that several Mag-7 leaders are beginning to awaken and regain momentum, and that matters because these stocks can have an outsized influence on the broader tape. One name now showing a meaningful combination of renewed leadership and improving technical structure is Microsoft Corp. (MSFT), which has rallied sharply from its June/July lows after two consecutive earnings reports helped reverse earlier fears that AI competition could undermine its business. The recovery has produced a clear series of higher highs and higher lows, with MSFT now trading back toward its prior 52-week high, while its major trendlines have realigned into a bullish structure. What really caught our attention, however, is the rising On-Balance Volume (OBV) line accompanying the advance, because it indicates that increasing trading volume is being driven by buying pressure rather than the rally simply running on speculation.

🔔 Receive weekly Weekend Winners Alerts with the exact trade setup, entry, and exit plan—so you can trade with confidence and structure. Click here to secure access! ✅

For traders looking to participate, owning MSFT shares is one clear-cut approach, but at a stock price above $510, a simple call purchase can become expensive once the option’s time premium is factored in. A more efficient way to structure the bullish idea is an in-the-money call debit spread, which uses one call purchase and one call sale to reduce the upfront cost while retaining upside exposure through a defined-risk position. In the current setup we’re referencing, the spread could be established for approximately $680, with a 47.1% profit potential if MSFT is up, flat, or even down as much as 7.5% by option expiration, assuming the stated spread pricing and expiration conditions hold.

For traders who want more than just a stock symbol and a technical signal, our Optioneering Newsletter provides the complete technical case, exact trade setup and additional strategy guidance behind multiple actionable ideas every single week—and right now, the first month is just $1. If you’re looking to build another potential income stream while learning exactly how we approach these setups, this is your chance to start your $1 trial of the Optioneering Newsletter today and see the trades we’re watching.

Wishing You the Best in Investing Success,

Blane Markham

Chief Trading Strategist

Have any questions? Email us at support@markhamtrading.com

*Trading incurs risk and some people lose money trading.