In the UK the FTSE 100 was down 48.3 points at 4,464.1 on Wednesday after the latest US economic data fell short of expectations and US markets where down in early trading.

However when the Federal Reserve announced the expected rise in interest rates by 25 basis points the U.S. stocks closed with moderate gains.

The move, which brings the rate to 1.25 percent, was the central bank's first hike in roughly four years. The language of the Fed's accompanying policy statement will now come under scrutiny as it left the 'measured' pace phrasing in place with regard to the degree and timing of its tightening in the face of inflation.

'With underlying inflation still expected to be relatively low, the committee believes that policy accommodation can be removed at a pace that is likely to be measured,' the statement said.

The committee added that it would respond to changes in the economy as needed, and that it believes a portion of recent price increases were 'due to transitory factors.'

The Dow Jones Industrial Average added about 22 points, or 0.2 percent, to close at 10,435.48, while the Nasdaq Composite finished up almost 13 points, or 0.6 percent, at 2,047.79.

The indexes were mixed prior to the decision with the Dow down about 15 points, and the Nasdaq hovering just above the flat line.

The S&P 500 index rose 0.4 percent to 1,140.75, while the Russell 2000 index of small-cap stocks advanced 0.6 percent to 591.52.

All in all not very exciting and one wonders why the UK was so nervous.

Good Hunting
Anticlimaxed of Oxon

Martini

thanks as ever

"one wonders why the UK was so nervous" - yes but we should all be used to it by now! lets just hope that we get the resultant relief in the morning and open UP!

morning campers,

morning all:
Wonder if we are going to get clear skies, blue waters and mountain climbing today on the markets today after skiing down the slopes yesterday.

rgds
zarif

very poetic zarif :-)

Morning.

FIB getting whacked on CTM news. Ouch!

ROK nudging.

morning all,just sold cna,nice profit,looking to get some more sainsburys .umm dont you just love bottom feeding.

mornin all

poor colt telecom down 27%.

Where are my manners???


Morning all!

PLR moving in the right direction.

Nice One Big Al.

I am long on this and can wit a while too.

Werer you short on CTM?

Morning all,

I'm supposed to be away, but came back early, but this has meant juggling
things, so very short of time. (Can trade, but no time to post!)

Have to admit I was short CTM overnight! Closed +22 in the auction.
Now scalping CTM shorts.

sw - not short CTM, but long FIB, which got caught in the sector down move. Holding for now, but trade not pretty on paper!!

Well done, lw.

Welcome back BTW

Too much on today. Meant to say thanks Big Al as I was in and out of JKX last week and also made a nice little profit - I owe you a drink. Still holding DNX, not doing too badly. Hope you have recovered from jet lag - my experience of numerous trips to SFO was felt great on return, but deathly on third day!

Well done on CTM, LW.

I thought I had bought SBRY at its lowest possible point .........

JJ50

It appears DNX has had a breather and is now looking for the next leg north - lets hope so eh

jj - my pleasure. Just don't buy everything I do as I have my fair share of losers too - don't we all!! ;-))

On JKX, I'm minded to re-enter if it breaks out with a very tight stop or wait for the pullback. It is still to make up its mind whether this is a top for now or only a consolidation. Many in the sector are doing the same, but DNX seems to have retested the break and gone again. I missed it as was out. ;-(

Fundie,

Yes, was very tempted to sell but decided to grit my teeth and hope it breaks the next resistance level.

Thanks all

Its a pity I can't do this every day. I'd never have to work again!

SEY going backwards .. ASC doing well again though

You and me both lw!! ;-))

afternoon all, a nice buy on sbry 2.65, fair price allmost a year to the day since my first batch of sbry. any other buyers out there for this one.

Added to PLR

RR. starting to look a little weak.

Big Al,

Just in case you are becoming concerned, I have followed your lead with JKX and PLR mainly because I was share watching anyway on both counts.

With JKX watched it go too far,(I thought) before committing, you merely drew attention to it and reinforced my views.

With PLR, I was in the midst of researching it too, your chart again drew my attention that this may break out, it seems to be doing that albeit weakly so far.

In all cases I do my own research, but appreciate the support you gave in both counts to my held views.

I also hold SEY and am winning nicely there and HNR. Both favourites of mine.

Phew that was long winded, but I want you to sleep at night!

Don't have nightmares!!!

Ditto seawallwalker....always DYOR!

I am tempted to say who jinxed ANL but there again I suppose it
was pretty predictable that it would fall again short of some real
evidence of the potential bid from Spain...The sad thing is it would have been more convenient had to done so after it hit 529p...At which point bunny would
have exited stage left!!
Seems the bunny is destine to hold yet again for another day.....

sw - good! Don't worry, I always sleep soundly!! ;-)

Not knowing you that well I just wanted to be sure you were deciding on your own research/feelings/trading system. You'd be surprised how many don't! ;-)

We all work slightly differently.

Al

Stockbunny-forgive me for saying but what I can glean with your ANL you are on the escalator.You need to be getting in on a lower floor to PCA thus getting an overall profit at lower than 529p.

Torquay - I can take some sort of profit from 499p upwards, this covers
all costs etc on the deal. I just wanted to clear more as I have it
ear-marked for something else - but planning two moves ahead doesn't
always work outside of the chess board!
Don't worry, it will come good, if it takes a while, it takes a while,
I can hold for some considerable time if needs be - would prefer not to
but if needs must I can..
but I wont buy in further, even if technically I could then average down
my break-even figure by doing so, I really don't want to commit any more
funds to ANL as it was a 'gamble' in the first place anyway.
But thanks for the thought and technically you are right.

Stockbunny- I have been in and out of ANL 3x in past 10days,as a point of interest I worked in banking having taken early retirement from ANL.
They have been in a mess for sometime,having said that once they make inroads the share will recover or they will be taken out(share price will recover obviously dependent on market conditions).
On a seperate note I trade on a full-time basis,mainly all of the banks.
Good hunting.

Damned weird day that one.

Only added position was to top up on PLR. Seriously thought about cutting RR., but almost back in the black and it got b****xed! No reason to close and will see what tomorrow brings.

Apart from that, FIB got whacked courtesy of CTM (bad luck Rick), but still can't see a valid reason to take the hit. This opinion might change after I've sat down and had a glass or two of vino! ;-)

The rest done good or flat.

Have a good evening.

Al

ALL MINE A RED ,,BAR 2.WHATS WRONG WITH PEOPLE,,COME OM ,,AND GET SOME BOTTOM FEEDING DONE,,,TUCK THEM AWAY.

dave - I had several actually go up...........and they weren't shorts!!

oh right,halfords/umbro ,mine

managed a good short on the dow. Just getting ready to go to the yorkshire traders meeting at leeds.
rgds
zarif

is that the priest,

zarif,,make sure you take your crucifix,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,sorry i could not resist.

dave dazzlers - Yep its THE PRIEST and i think better with a chain of Garlic than the crucifix.
nah problem if you cant have a laugh than whats life for? ( as the actress said to the bishop!!!!!)

nite all

zarif

nice one zarif,,let us no what what it was like ha.