GOOGL – Jan 2 Thoughts (15m first, then what’s controlling priceAlphabet Inc.BATS:GOOGLBullBearInsightsLooking at the 15-minute chart, GOOGL already told us a lot before the session even ended. We had a clear CHoCH, followed by a BOS, which broke the prior bullish rhythm. After that, price didn’t collapse — it slowed down. That’s important. Instead of continuation, GOOGL slid into a tight compression around 312–313, holding just above the last structural low. This is usually the part where traders get impatient. Candles get small, indicators stop helping, and everyone starts guessing direction. But this kind of pause after structure damage usually isn’t random. Zooming out one layer — this is where GEX explains the behavior On the GEX side, GOOGL is sitting almost perfectly at 312.5, which happens to line up with dealer support / gamma balance. A few things stand out immediately: * 312–310 is a meaningful put support zone * Below 310, downside opens fast toward 307.5 → 305 * Above price, the largest positive NETGEX / call resistance sits around 315 * That puts GOOGL in a very clean support–resistance gamma box Once you see that, the price action makes more sense. GOOGL isn’t trending because it’s not supposed to right now. Dealers are positioned to absorb movement, not chase it. How I’m approaching Jan 2 As long as GOOGL holds 312, downside pressure is likely muted. As long as price stays below 315, upside is likely sold into, not expanded. That creates a very specific environment: * Slow moves * Failed breakouts * Better scalps at the edges than in the middle If 312 fails with acceptance, GEX suggests a quick rotation toward 310 → 307.5. If price pushes into 314–315, that’s where I’d expect supply, not celebration — unless gamma positioning changes. Why this matters The 15-minute chart tells you structure broke. What it doesn’t explain is why price refuses to go anywhere afterward. This is usually the missing piece for traders who feel like: * “The setup was clean, why didn’t it move?” * “Why does price keep stalling at the same levels?” * “Why does this feel heavy even on green candles?” That answer often isn’t momentum — it’s positioning. Bottom line GOOGL isn’t a trend play right now. It’s a range-controlled, positioning-driven stock going into Jan 2. Levels I care about: * 312 as the pivot * 315 as the upside cap * Acceptance or rejection decides whether this stays controlled or turns directional No rush here. Let price show whether it wants to leave the box first. Not financial advice — just how I’m reading GOOGL heading into the first real session of the year.