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

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!

I agree with you there Skinny - but I just thought your limit might get hit in reaction to tonight's news. I got stopped out by 1 point this morning, when I'd set too tight a stop on a long(!) FTSE from 6155.

How's the casserole btw?

I'm still largely short, although I've been nibbling away as and when.

Procrastination being the thief of time - I'm doing the casserole tomorrow now, as my son has decided he would like some!

Merv the swerve speaks shortly I believe.

Didn't know Merv was about to pronounce - should we expect a dip in the market??

I doubt it - he is a spent force now -

Mervyn King to call for more action to boost economy

US college alert amid 'shooting'

A college in the US state of Texas is on lockdown amid reports of several people injured in a shooting.

I don't know how they will ever sort out their gun culture over there...

Time for me to go and relax - had a busy day! I've set a short FTSE at 6210 in case it gets there by morning!

Highest so far is 6200.0 - currently 6192.2 - 6194.2

Don't rely just yet on the " correction" shorts are finger burners

GOOG figures beat all expectations and shares have rocketed after hours, though looks overdone to me

It has for a while. Oven gloves?

Ouch - stopped out and FTSE is still rising at 6220.

Maybe I will stick to what I know