rather than pick out individual stocks to trade, it can often be worthwhile to trade the indices themselves, especially in times of high volatility.

for those so inclined, i attach below charts for FTSE and FTSE 250, though one might equally be tempted to trade Dow or S&P, which is significantly broader in its coverage, or even NASDAQ

for ease of reading, i have attached 1 year and 3 month charts in each instance

now i'm stuck! .... don't know where to estimate the short-term bottom of this ..... arguably around 12940 i guess, but that implies a pretty sharp correction

DOW down 99 points, futures off a further 20.

U.S. "fiscal cliff" talks turn sour, Obama threatens veto

WASHINGTON | Thu Dec 20, 2012 2:28am GMT

(Reuters) - The conflict over the stalled "fiscal cliff" talks grew more heated Wednesday and threatened to become even more so Thursday when the action is expected to shift for the first time to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

In the absence of a bipartisan agreement, the Republican leadership of the House plans to move a bill of its own to the floor Thursday to avert the steep tax hikes and budget cuts set for January.

Under pressure from PM-elect, BOJ boosts stimulus again

TOKYO | Thu Dec 20, 2012 6:30am GMT

(Reuters) - The Bank of Japan delivered its third dose of monetary stimulus in four months on Thursday in a prelude to more aggressive action next year, as it faces intensifying pressure from the country's next leader for stronger efforts to beat deflation.

It also signalled setting a higher inflation target at its next meeting in January, when a new government will be in place ready to negotiate with the central bank.

FTSE stumbles on fresh U.S. budget concern

LONDON | Thu Dec 20, 2012 8:18am GMT
(Reuters) - The FTSE 100 index fell on Thursday as investors used renewed tensions in U.S. budget talks as an excuse to lock in profits.

The FTSE 100 was down 5.01 points, or 0.1 percent, at 5,956.58 by 8:06 a.m. British time, having closed up 25.69 points, or 0.4 percent, at 5,961.59 on Wednesday, scaling fresh nine-month highs.

Sentiment towards riskier assets turned negative overnight, hurting U.S. shares, while mining stocks and banks were pressured on Thursday as talks to avoid a "fiscal cliff" of planned tax hikes and spending cuts in the United States stumbled yet again.

I seem to lose all the profit I make on the DOW and FTSE because I mess up about as often as I get it right. I'm beginning to think that I'm wasting my time - though it is fun when things go right!

In my opinion, markets, (FX, Index's and shares) are the cleverest, most amazing and successful invention to part people with their money ever created, bar nothing!

The way it messes with your psyche and is programmed to do exactly the opposite of what our natural emotions tell us to do is incredible.
We are programmed to bank a profit early but run our losers further. Nobody likes to register a loser, right?
Even with a system, success breeds over-confidence and the likelihood to give it all back. Have 3 small winners in a row and then try not to increase the stakes, your 4th will be the bigger loser... (if not that one, the next 3 will be!)
Its a cliche, but discipline is the only way to win consistently. Without that, the market wins, (in the end)...

Hmmm - how very true!

Ahhh. Therein lies the difference between a man and a woman. You boys were clearly just programmed wrong in the first place.

No surprises there, I suppose. :o)

Well unless a complete disaster strikes I'll be ending the year nicely in profit. I suppose for every winner there has to be a loser so all's even in love and spreadbetting...

It's taken me a long time to think like a woman. But it works :-)

12 Images To Show You The Subtle Difference Between Men And Women :-)

I always knew you'd get there in the end, Floss. :o)

It wouldn't be unreasonable to say you had a lot to do with it - thanks Hils!

Or maybe I just got lucky ;-)

Daily FTSE100 above, support and resistance added.

i have often been told that i'm just an old woman, so i'm not sure where that places me .... anyway, as my IG L2 platform seems to be misbehaving, i have banked that nice little profit on my dow short opened yesterday afternoon

Lol - thanks guys for all your pearls of wisdom!

CAD Core Retail Sales m/m 0.5% consensus 0.2% previous 0.0%

CAD Retail Sales m/m 0.7% consensus 0.2% previous 0.1%

USD Unemployment Claims 361K consensus 358K previous 343K

USD Final GDP q/q 3.1% consensus 2.8% previous 2.7%

USD Final GDP Price Index q/q 2.7% consensus 2.7% previous 2.7%

EUR Consumer Confidence -27 consensus -26 previous -27

USD Existing Home Sales 5.04M consensus 4.88M previous 4.79M

USD Philly Fed Manufacturing Index 8.1 consensus -2.2 previous -10.7

USD CB Leading Index m/m -0.2% consensus -0.2% previous 0.2%

USD HPI m/m 0.5% consensus 0.2% previous 0.2%

Moved my stop on UKX short to entry, haven't got a clue where it's going :O)

That's me stopped out for nowt.