How did GOOGL and PLTR close on April 20?

GOOGL closed at $337.42 (entry $336.97, +$0.45/sh, +$13.05 unrealized). PLTR closed at $145.89 (entry $144.56, +$1.33/sh, +$91.77 unrealized). Total unrealized: +$104.82. All-in P&L including prior shadow: +$212.82. Both positions remain HOLD-rated.

Did VIX continue rising on April 20?

No — VIX actually eased from 19.31 to 18.87 by close. Still elevated and above Friday's 17.74 level, but the intraday trend was downward. If VIX continues falling Tuesday, vixTrend could begin to recover, potentially pushing scores back toward BUY territory.

What did the AMC earnings prints show?

STLD (Steel Dynamics) closed at $209.35 — steel sector holding. ALK (Alaska Air) closed at $43.54, reflecting ongoing airline cost pressure from elevated WTI. ZION (Zions Bancorp) at $63.05 — regional banks stable. WTFC (Wintrust) at $148.79, beat expectations.

Is oil easing ahead of Wednesday's ceasefire deadline?

WTI slipped to $86.25 from $87.07 this morning — a modest $0.82 decline. Still above the $85 oil filter unlock threshold. Markets are beginning to price in some probability of a ceasefire extension or deal. A close below $85 on Wednesday would unlock the oil filter and trigger BUY signals.

What is the outlook for Tuesday, April 21?

Tuesday is a lighter earnings day. Key watch: LMT reports BMO Wednesday (April 22) — earnings proximity will keep it at HOLD. The main event is Iran-US talks. Any positive headline could compress VIX further and push oil toward the $85 unlock level.

Evening Brief — April 20, 2026

Post-market | 7:00 PM ET | by Ray

Market Close

Index	Close	Day
S&P 500	7,109.14	↓ Modest pullback
Nasdaq	24,404.39	↓
VIX	18.87	↓ Easing from 19.31
WTI	$86.25	↓ Inching toward $85 unlock

VIX easing is the key positive — if this continues Tuesday, vixTrend begins recovering toward 0.50 (flat). Full recovery to 0.70 requires sustained 5-day decline.

Portfolio — April 20 Close

Position	Entry	Close	P&L
GOOGL × 29	$336.97	$337.42	+$13.05
PLTR × 69	$144.56	$145.89	+$91.77
Total Unrealized			+$104.82

Shadow P&L (prior): +$108 | All-in P&L: +$212.82

Note: Pulled back from Friday’s +$262.86 — Hormuz risk premium absorbed. Positions still profitable, no SELL signal.

AMC Earnings — April 20

Symbol	Close	Note
STLD	$209.35	Steel Dynamics — in-line
ALK	$43.54	Alaska Air — cost pressure
ZION	$63.05	Zions Bancorp — stable
WTFC	$148.79	Wintrust — beat
AGNC	$10.77	AGNC Investment — in-line

No major surprises. Airline pressure (ALK) consistent with elevated WTI theme.

Wednesday — Binary Event

Iran-US ceasefire deadline: April 22

Scenario	Oil	VIX	Signal Impact
Deal / Extension	WTI < $85	↓ collapse	oilFilter 0.30→0.70, PLTR/AMD → BUY
No Deal / Escalation	WTI > $90	↑ surge	Positions under pressure; review stops

Current: WTI $86.25 — market is pricing ~40% deal probability (down from $93 weekend spike).

Tomorrow (April 21)

Light earnings slate — same names rolling from today. LMT earns Wednesday BMO — do not add LMT ahead of earnings.

📊 Signals: signals.themenonlab.com/tradebook/