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

Retailers 'facing critical financial issues'

Nearly 140 retailers are in a "critical condition" despite Christmas being their peak trading time, business recovery firm Begbies Traynor has said.

Its UK business solvency survey found 13,700 more firms were in distress, a 35% rise in the quarter to December.

It said many could struggle to meet their quarterly rent payment, due on Christmas Day.

That is a huge rise compared with last year! Looks like 2013 could be a good year for Begbies Traynor then...

what ho Mistress T ..... i take it that you not yet been washed away by a local tsunami ..... i'm keeping a watchful eye from afar on the state of the river at home, and hoping that we shall escape the the water table rising sufficiently to flood our cellar (wines already well off the floor!)

Hello there Cynic - luckily I'm well clear of the River Dee's flood plain, though we've had our share of rain here! I hope your cellar remains dry; best thing might be to invite some friends over and help you drain a few bottles, then you won't have to worry...

Happy Christmas All - see you in the New Year! Time for me to get my pinny on.

Like your style Toya, time he reduced his stock..... have a good one all.,.

we've managed a few bottles of good and interesting claret (the '78 was still surprisingly robust) + 1 x 1963 Croft's port (light, pale delicious) ...... trad lunch today means more claret - we thought burgundy would be too heavy - and a very ancient bottle of barsac with pud ..... this last may well not have anything nice left in it, but we shall see

Depends what meat you are having. Anything game related and the Bordeaux will be too light. Had partridge for the first time last night and have got pheasant today. Decided turkey was getting a bit dull. Happy Christmas.

would rather goose but no chance ..... partridge is delicious and should be fine with claret or even a light burgundy ..... in fact, am stuck with turkey, but have uncovered a magnum of 1994 Beringer - CA cab sauv

A tender, well hung piece of lamb from my local butcher plus 6 veg has left us well ...... stuffed.,.

a further strong sign of global economic upturn ...... FT advises that iron ore prices have hit an 8-month high

A self opinonated tit! just about sums you up cynic haha.

nice..... peace on earth and goodwill to all men.

what's up with that tosser?
must have swallowed a wasp

HALI - hope you had a good christmas
happily surprised to see TLW making a good recovery of late, but a long way further north required!

geithner is getting the amis twitchy, which is a bit dull, though assuredly all will be resolved to a greater or lesser extent ...... if dow falls to 12940, i think i shall be a buyer (of more)

Hilarious! you crack me up you really do you condersending bell end hehehe.

You seem to have a stalker there Mr C. Must be the season! Just this once I assume you are hoping a dog is only for Christmas!!

oh he's just some tosspot that appears on the scene occasionally .... if it amuses him to throw abuse, then it's water off a duck's back as far as i am concerned

Talking bollox over on GKP. you arrogant wanker hehehe.

Cynic if DOW falls to 12940 then I'd be going with the trend. Still short FTSE and DOW and both positions nicely in profit.

Boxerdog, if you have a bone to pick with Cynic regarding GKP please do it on that thread.

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