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

very short term, it has to be a racing certainty that there will be a "sticking plaster" solution passed ..... thereafter, we of course go back to the usual knock-about slapstick that the amis alone think makes their country and it's political system the envy on the world

with regard to commodities, don't forget they are actually used for making stuff and not just for trading like cases of blackmarket sardines!

I guess Obama's 'fallback' plan will save the day and procrastination will rule for the foreseeable future.

US Congress in final push to reach 'fiscal cliff' deal

Given the problems Europe and in general Euro faced, I think the world has no choice but to continue using $ as reserved currency. So, American will not face any serious problem in the next ten years. They can simply print more money, like other countries in the world.

I think commodities have more value than they are priced right now, especially that Chinese are getting richer every day and consume more and more. They do not talk, they simply ACT.

Consider the speed of building new high-speed rail (1400 miles)... and a compare it with the UK or America. They spend more time for making decisions resulting in price rise etc... and complications.

The question is Cynic, what type of sticking plaster will be applied, increased tax to counter increased spending or neutral tax and a reduction in spending? Of course reduced tax and increased spending is what everyone wants but to achieve this the debt ceiling will need to be raised. I think the US will opt for neutral tax rises and spending continuing its QE policy for another year. Its the quick fix policy that keeps everyone happy, the US will no doubt deal with the fallout of its increased money supply later when pushed to do so the way it deals with everything. Iraq should start paying its way in 2013 for the USA increasing tax revenues so you never know...

did you notice how big china is relative to UK or that America does not even have a coordinated rail system?

are you aware that building high speed rail has been one of the causes of Spain's financial plight and that the Dutch are less than impressed with theirs?

finally, leaving aside cost and environmental impact, what has convinced you that UK even needs a high speed rail network?

Shortie - i not sure exactly what you mean by "Iraq paying its way in 2013" ...... certainly that country is proving a bonanza for the lucky few oilfield development companies like Halliburton and Schlumberger, though it remains almost impossible for others ..... however, i am fairly confident that the Kurdistan impasse will be resolved during the coming year and it is not entirely beyond the realms of possibility that Iran will start tip-toeing in from the cold.

Cynic,
I was referring to the rise of China (1.4 bln people) and many other Asian countries, more than half the population of the world, and that they have to keep USD as reserved currency.

Compass Point Research is confident the Senate will reach a fiscal-cliff deal today, saying, "The sides are simply too close at this point to walk away from the table." But while markets should respond positively, Compass Point contends any rally will likely be shortlived. It notes a new Congress is sworn in Thursday "and the battle starts anew. Markets will likely survey the remaining political and legislative landscape and quickly recognize that there is an inordinate amount of political risk concentrated" in 1Q.

I hae started to invest in some China company's . I hope it will be a good move ?

Surely it would be better to invest in European/American companies which have high exposure to China? Companies domiciled in China have a bit of a checkered history when it comes to their accounting procedures.

personally, i would not touch ANY chinese company (even with yours, as used to be said!) ..... they are totally corrupt as the many singed round-eyes have discovered to their cost

HCM & CTEK only. Happy new year all.

Lena Komileva, chief economist at G+ Economics, has drawn a conclusion on the argument that four years of record monetary expansion and $1T-plus annual budget deficits have failed to generate enough cyclical amplitude to close the twin employment and fiscal gaps in the US economy. "A midnight congressional deal on the US budget may avert an economic cliff, but it will not eliminate the political and economic reasons that have brought us to this point. This raises serious questions as to whether policymakers will act in the public interest rather than in their own self-interest as elected career politicians."

DOW short cashed in, now playing 10 minute charts..

sensible chap shortie .... should have been a good wad with which to start 2013

i recollect that 12940 is/was quite an important support/resistance, so perhaps a level to watch

I took 60 off the DOW on that last gasp surge - Obama due to speak shortly I believe.


Happy New Year.

12940 also rings a distinct bell with me.

And yes, Obama due to speak at 1:30 pm his time - 6:30 pm ours.

Happy New Year All!

i would expect him to be conciliatory towards the republican morons, but remind them and everyone else that there is a very long way to go - always assuming the morons do not end up throwing a total tantrum at the last second

=============

any thoughts on hilary clinton as next democrat presidential candidate?

i confess she has grown hugely in my estimation in the last couple of years, and with the "moron party" heavily into self-mutilation, i think there is a good chance that she could win the next election

I had hoped she would run for President too, cynic, but reckon she'll want to look after her health instead! - pity

she's one ambitious lady, so a bit of concussion should not stop her

================

foolishly caught the falling knife this morning and topped up Dow ..... have just encashed that one (+115 phew!)

================

and just stopped out of another tranche at 12985 for a modest loss, more than offset by the above

crikey ..... better not say what i did, but by golly last day of the year sure ended well for me .... lucky alphonse comme on dit!