Fake News Filter — Can You Tell What Really Moves the Market? Take the Quiz!

Why This Matters for Cash Day Traders

When you’re day trading with cash — no margin, no options, no futures — your edge isn’t in swinging for home runs. It’s in making precise, disciplined decisions, trade after trade. And nothing blows up discipline faster than acting on bad information.

Every single day, the market spits out headlines.
Some are pure clickbait, written to stir up retail traders and rack up social shares.
Others are true catalysts — the kind of verifiable, material changes that can spark real volume and directional moves.

If you can’t tell the difference fast, you’re either going to chase garbage or miss the real move.

The Real vs. The Ridiculous

Here’s what sets market-moving news apart:

Material change — Revenue beats, contract wins, acquisitions, policy changes.
Verifiable source — SEC filings, official press releases, respected financial wires.
Direct impact — Information that changes a company’s valuation today, not maybe in 5 years.
Timely — News hitting during hours that can actually move the market (or pre/post with confirmed liquidity).

What’s clickbait?

Rumors with no source.
Celebrity gossip, cryptic tweets, or “sources say” with no supporting docs.
Fluff announcements with zero impact on revenue or guidance.
Recycled old headlines dressed up like breaking news.

The Trader’s 5-Second News Filter

When you see a headline, ask:

1. Who said it? — Is it from a source with legal consequences for lying?

2. What’s changing? — Is there a measurable, company-specific change?

3. When did it happen? — Is it fresh, and during tradable hours?

4. Why should the market care? — Does it affect fundamentals, contracts, or sentiment broadly?

5. Where’s the volume? — If it’s real, you’ll often see abnormal, sustained volume right after it drops.

Your Mission

The quiz below mixes real headlines with educational scenario questions to train your eye and your instincts.
You’ll get instant feedback and a running score as you go.
By the end, you’ll know exactly which “news” items you’d ignore, and which would have you ready to execute.

Take the Quiz Now

After the Quiz: Key Lessons to Lock In

1. Not All News is Tradeable
Real news moves the market because it changes something fundamental or alters broad sentiment. Gossip, “what if” speculation, or unrelated fluff will rarely justify a trade.

2. Speed Matters, But Verification Wins
The best traders don’t guess — they verify fast. Have your trusted news sources and SEC filing feeds ready so you can confirm before committing.

3. Watch the Volume
Institutions have the tech to hit the market within milliseconds. If volume stays flat, odds are the headline is noise. Sustained abnormal volume is often the real tell.

4. Macro Moves Everything
Some headlines — like Fed policy changes — ripple through every sector. They can lift or sink entire watchlists in minutes.

5. Rumors Fade, Reactions Retrace
Even when unconfirmed rumors spark a move, they can reverse violently once the hype dies. Fading hype is as much a skill as trading catalysts.