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

There's a rumour going round that ECB's Weidmann is to resign.... A similar story did the rounds last summer, but he had a 'change of heart' then.

If this story has got any legs it'll seriously dent the markets imho. DAX and euro are already coming off quite hard on it.

I wondered what caused the dip in the last half hour!

It's a fave old chestnut for a bit of manipulation, Skinners. I doubt there's anything in the rumour but, if you want to buy the market, you just tell the world and his wife that Weidmann's resigned. :)

Such realism cynicism in one so young! :-)

Well at least you got the young bit right... :)

thanks skinny .... rather bears out what i thought and am glad i manfully resisted the siren call to get back into NMX3720 yet again - it's served me well to date ...... looks as though we are heading for a quick consolidation sell-off, so i'll try to get my timing right for the next foray, though prob into NMX2350

Hils Lol!

Off topic, just nipped to Morrisons for red wine for beef casserole - Hardy's Aussie Shiraz @£3.99 - now the dilemma!

Thanks for the explanation Hilary - I, too, wondered what was going on... closed my short while I could do so in profit.

Skinny: save some for later!

Just seen this rather more 'official' explanation for the earlier nosedive:

' European stock markets struggled for direction in early trade on Tuesday, as investors digested the latest policy decision from the Bank of Japan, which said it would introduce open-ended monetary easing and a formal 2% inflation target.'

Mistress - a successful w/e cooking ..... dinosaur casserole very yummy and rib-sticking; marmalade good and bitter to match my personality

Ah good - thanks cynic. What time should I come round to sample your culinary delights?

you can come when you like as well you know - or even as often

:-)

Slightly 'stable door'

German ZEW Economic Sentiment 31.5 consensus 12.2 previous 6.9

ZEW Economic Sentiment 31.2 consensus 14.1 previous 7.6

GBP 10-y Bond Auction 1.90|2.9 previous 1.80|1.7

Spanish HPI q/q -2.2% previous -2.4%

GBP CBI Industrial Order Expectations -20 consensus -10 previous -12

Thanks for dragging yourself away from the cooking Skinny, to keep us posted!

USD Existing Home Sales 4.94M consensus 5.09M previous 5.04M

USD Richmond Manufacturing Index -12 consensus 4 previous 5

Dipping my toe back in with a short at 6188 and a SL at 6205

bhunt - I have a limit in @6200.35 - I hope we are both lucky!

IBM and Google are reporting 4th quarter results after close of the US market tonight - if they're good (and I've read some positive estimates) then the FTSE will follow the DOW up overnight - so watch out!

Toya - I've had a dabble with FB today - I think maybe the torch (google) is going to be passed on soon!