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

Maybe not then!

FRANKFURT--German exports increased in December as the 2012 volume of total exports hit a fresh all-time high of well over 1 trillion euros ($1.339 trillion), the federal statistics office said Friday. Trade was brisk with countries outside Europe, particularly the U.S., Asia and Latin America. The blockbuster result however, masks weak exports to neighboring euro-zone countries, although manufacturing orders data published earlier this week indicate that euro-zone demand is starting to recover. German exports in 2012 expanded 3.4% to EUR1.097 trillion, while imports increased 0.7% to EUR909.2 billion, another record high, the statistics office said. That makes Germany one of the world's largest exporters and analysts expect further gains this year. Germany's 2012 trade surplus came in at EUR188.1 billion, the second-highest on record. Germany's BGA federation of exporters and wholesalers predicts an increase in exports of "up to 5%" to around EUR1.158 trillion in 2013, while imports should rise, too. German exports in December recovered somewhat, rising 0.3% on the month after falling 2.2% in November, the statistics office said. The monthly data are adjusted for seasonal as well as calendar effects. But an annual comparison appears less favorable: German exports were down 6.9% from December 2011, as exports to all regions declined. German imports in December meanwhile, were down 1.3% on the month and declined 7.3% on the year. As a consequence, Germany's trade surplus in December widened to an adjusted EUR16.8 billion from an upwardly revised EUR15.6 billion in November, beating analysts' forecasts of +EUR14.6 billion. The current account surplus came in at EUR17.3 billion in December, below expectations of +EUR18.0 billion.

Those are strong figures from Germany! But I have read a few analysts suggesting shorting the DAX - however, I shall stay out of that one for now.

Thanks for the DOW chart, too. If you look at it over a slightly longer period, I see 13900 as the current support - and we dived below that yesterday; but of course I'd closed my short well before then!

I'd agree the DAX from a technical point of view is a short play, tempted to just go for it as those figures are most likely already priced in... DOW 13900 on the longer charts is the support point, but for daily plays we've seen the bounce at 13945 ish before which being the mid-point of a current 13900/13990 play is also worth noting.

Yes - thanks Shortie.

I might try and leave one short running for a while and see what happens, while having another to trade more short-term, bearing in mind the above. However, greed always gets the better of me and I snap up a profit when I see it!

Nasdaq Daily below, another tempting short play...

Better to snap up a profit early Toya than a loss. I've lost track of the amount of times I've changed direction this week playing 5, 10 and 15 minute charts for quick small gains.

The best of the bunch, SP Daily looks like it topping out, short future potential here I think..

VIX April Future - Not for me...

The S&P and more so the NASDAQ above, look to be in consolidation mode - short side looks like the better bet, but...........

OK maybe short S&P and long SMI looking at the below...

S&P short position opened...

Toya i should wash your longs..... well over due, and change your shorts..... ditry girl.,.

Don't forget guys: a massive Snow Storm is to hit New York this afternoon their time - I've just seen a clip on the internet to say schools in Boston as shut today. So: traders in NY will be thinking about how they're getting home for the weekend!

Hi BB - just seen your comment lol! I'm saving my washing :)

CAD Employment Change -21.9k consensus 4.5K previous 39.8K

CAD Trade Balance -0.9B consensus -1.5B previous -2.0B

CAD Unemployment Rate 7% consensus 7.2% previous 7.1%

USD Trade Balance -38.5B consensus -45.7B previous -48.7B

Thanks Skinny. The DOW has stayed pretty much where it was before that data.

Snow has begun falling in New York: The storm is expected to dump two feet or more of snow over a wide area stretching from New York to Boston.

Thousands of flights have already been cancelled or delayed, according to FlightAware.

I reckon it will be a slow day with the DOW so I'm just staying short and will get back to my marmalade-making.

Took a small profit earlier on my DOW 13950 short, and have re-set it; It's currently in the red - but never mind, it will fall back I'm sure.

Mistress T - if of any comfort, was wearing a sweater of some description most days - and every evening - in m/e

That is indeed a comfort to me cynic. A nice trip to the sunshine when the temperatures rise a little would be perfect :)

next trip is probably early May, but you'ld then complain it was too hot - especially with full burqua now required even on the beach!