What is the expected impact of the earnings release on short‑term trading volume and price volatility?

Short‑term volume & volatility outlook

Because ICMB will post its Q2 results after the close of the market on 12 Aug and follow up with a live call the next morning, the event will generate a classic “post‑close‑to‑pre‑open” trading catalyst. Historically, earnings that are released after hours trigger a 30‑50 % jump in the average daily volume on the subsequent open as market participants scramble to digest the numbers and any forward‑looking commentary. The combination of the delayed release and the scheduled conference call therefore points to a marked uptick in both volume and price volatility on 13 Aug, especially in the first two hours of trading when the market digests the earnings press release and the call transcript.

What to watch on the chart

Technically, ICMB has been trading in a tight 10‑day range around $1.12–$1.18, with the 20‑day moving average (≈$1.15) acting as a pivot. A surprise—either a beat or miss on earnings, or a shift in credit‑portfolio outlook—could break the upper or lower bound of that range, producing a gap‑up or gap‑down on the open. The nearest resistance is near $1.20 (the recent swing‑high) and support around $1.10 (the swing‑low). A breach of either level on 13 Aug would likely be reinforced by the heightened volume, feeding short‑term momentum.

Actionable take‑aways

1. Pre‑release positioning: If you are already long, consider trimming to a half‑size or protecting the position with a tight‑‑stop just below $1.10; if you are short, do the same on the upside side.

2. Post‑release trade: Anticipate a volatility expansion—the implied volatility of the nearest‑expiry options typically rises 15‑25 % after an after‑hours earnings drop. A short‑‑dated straddle or a delta‑neutral iron condor can capture the move regardless of direction, provided you respect the widened bid‑ask spreads.

3. Key catalyst: The conference‑call Q&A will be the “price‑catalyst” for any forward‑guidance surprises. Watch the first 30 minutes of the 13 Aug open; a clear beat‑or‑miss narrative will set the tone for the rest of the day, while a neutral read‑through will likely see the stock revert to its prior range.

In short, expect significantly higher than average volume and a volatility spike on 13 Aug, with the price most likely to test the $1.20 resistance on the upside or the $1.10 support on the downside. Position accordingly and use options to monetize the anticipated volatility expansion.