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

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12800 is now my key figure and stop loss point. Have taken to minimum bet with more than enough money to finance it through to 12800... This day to day trading or hourly betting has the potential to wipe out funds very quickly, the long play shall provail I hope. Looking at the chart playing a long term bet should work out very nicely as long as 12800 isn't breached.

market cant decide which side of 12500 to go, doesn't seem to want to give it up at the moment... almost like watching paint dry in comparison to recent days...!

closed out for small profit, may have been too early, but another day and 12500 could be good support, for me, i'm just trying to practice guessing peaks and troughs and guage sentiment, cos ultimately thats what will make me money...:)

Good in theory Ted, practice is a little different though. If 12500 - 12600 becomes a temporary support line then I'm happy. Ultimatly though I'm looking for the downward trend to continue. My outlook is to sort with the bigger picture in mind, as long as it falls a little more each month than it rises I'm in the money. Financing for the rolling bet is very little so this shouldn't a problem. Its quick calling thats causing me trouble at the moment, the sp changes direction to often too often for my liking at the moment.

20th December was the last time the DOW gained for 4 days consequtively. Since then 2 day gains has been the norm. I'm hoping that will continue and give us a down day tomorrow...

as it stands, upwards is prob the momentum, but somewhere around 12750 is likely to be the top .... even so, it is almost inconceivable that that target will be reached without some sort of retrenchment en route

I agree the longer term can eventually be the bigger winner, i'm talking long term trends, 4 years ago euro was parity with the dollar, nearly 5000 point gain since! Gold has been a similar story.... would love to open a short at 12750 and watch the dow test new lows shortly after!

the shorting concept is sound, but then don't get too greedy

excellent to see Dow finish solidly above 12500 ..... F/E must surely be very strong o'night and London should break through 5900 barrier with something to spare

Funny you say that, cos i was about to open a FTSE long just before close, but chose to do it on paper to see if it comes good...

Wall St is eating away at my profits 3 days now... GBP/JPY looking interesting at 215 or above thinking of shorting also... Wall St 12524 so under 400 points before we should see it turning... A small up/down day tomorrow would be a blessing as waiting for transfers to complete to fully fund me spread betting account...

Next move will probably hinge on Bernankes comments later, if he backs up the treasury secretary's view that the US could avoid outright recession, we may see some serious blue...

Have just taken some modest profits inc in my longs of both Dow and FTSE

Had penciled in a rise on FTSE to 5970 + 90 today, and plan was to buy on the dips, but after the initial rise by 50 points it doesn't seem to have the appetite to rise. Even though the cac and dax are more positive. Conclusion = Confused.......

Lots more reading today, not sure how market will react to question time later, but can imagine a push higher, however surely this is defying the odds now, i think sentiment could change quite quickly to the downside with any poor updates now, after 3 days of gains (dow) and i have to say i feel the real sell off is still to come.... not trying to be a doom merchant, but reckon the states are very very far from being out of the woods...

Financials are still very weak, they seem to be effected by negative sentiment to BB. and poor figures from UBS with another $12bn writedown, I also saw on Bloomberg thet the German central bank are actively rescuing one of there banks, can't remember the name of bank.

Would like to place a longer term short on FTSE and try and follow it down with stop losses.

Was looking at an entrance at 6050, because I still see a further sell off, 5300 is a figure I would be aiming at. Sorry if I look like a doom merchant, it's just the way I see it. I'm normally an optimist by nature.

don't know about a massive sell-off being imminent, but confess i think the odds of Dow having another upward day must be getting quite long ..... i am inclined to place a modest short, though will assuredly close it regardless before i leave the office as am taking Beloved out to dinner

Good to see your still treating the lady properly, even after all these years, Rich... lol

well she lets me play golf pretty much when i choose!

My other half had Golf lessons and now accompanies when I play, thinking about it I missed a trick today. I should have taken her out for a romantic game today, instead of a meal out tonight.