Leaders at the Bell with Alejandro Cardona, CEO, Seminario Creando Riqueza, April 23, 2026

Alejandro Cardona visits the NYSE floor during a moment of heightened market volatility triggered by renewed hostilities in the Middle East. Despite the turbulence, Cardona reflects on recent trading opportunities that emerged from sharp market corrections, particularly following the late March downturn. He describes how he employed options strategies during that period, achieving a remarkable 1500 percent return over just two weeks by purchasing call options when the S&P 500 reached a medium-term floor. While traditional equity positions in companies like Meta, Apple, and Nvidia delivered respectable gains of 15 to 20 percent during the rebound, Cardona's disciplined approach to derivatives amplified returns significantly. He emphasizes the importance of risk management and controlling greed, explaining how he and his students systematically scaled out of positions to lock in profits before the subsequent pullback.

The conversation addresses investor readiness and the learning curve required for speculative instruments. Cardona draws parallels between mastering options trading and learning to drive or ski, acknowledging inherent risks while stressing that proper training and gradual progression can mitigate them. He advocates starting with small capital allocations and building experience over time. Looking ahead, Cardona remains optimistic about market structure despite geopolitical tensions and elevated oil prices, noting that institutional buyers continue to treat corrections as entry points. He identifies support levels tied to key moving averages and reiterates that downturns represent opportunities for disciplined traders prepared to act on technical signals in both rising and falling markets.