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

DP of IC today:
"There’s a distinct air of near-term bearishness about. Some 78% of IG Index clients are currently short of the FTSE 100 index, for example. After such a strong rally, they probably have a reasonable expectation that the index should give up some of its gains, if only in advance of renewed upside. I do not share their desire to be short at this moment, however. While the UK market has softened in recent days, the fashion in which it has done so has been unthreatening. This is the hallmark of a counter-trend move. Put simply, the FTSE and also the DAX are merely laying the groundwork for the next leg of their bull markets. I happen to see it coming sooner rather than later."

9:30am

GBP CPI y/y 2.7% consensus 2.7% previous 2.7%

GBP PPI Input m/m 1.3% consensus 0.9% previous 0.0%

GBP RPI y/y 3.3% consensus 3.2% previous 3.1%

GBP Core CPI y/y 2.3% consensus 2.4% previous 2.4%

GBP HPI y/y 3.3% consensus 2.1% previous 2.2%

GBP PPI Output m/m 0.2% consensus 0.2% previous -0.1%

Short FTSE @6317.5

DOW futures now in slight positive territory (from -28 this morning), so not sure about your FTSE short!

I went long on BARC at the open - only fair I give some back :-)

US Redbook retail sales positive, DOW to test 14000....

FTSE shorts in play also.

Mario @2:30pm

German WPI m/m 0.3% consensus 0.4% previous 0.0%

So much for my ideas of the FTSE falling further before it climbs back up. I'd gone short yesterday at 6315 thinking I'd got a good deal... And on top of that, I got whacked with some 'Short FTSE Dividend' fee - having only been in that short position for a matter of hours :( I've not had such a bad day in ages!

CHF PPI m/m -0.1% consensus 0.2% previous 0.1%

Mistress T - you clearly need some of my comfort food; rotten luck

Thanks Cynic - certainly need some comfort. Anyway, I'm getting over it and will live to see another day

perhaps i should turn out a spotted dick for you!

with cream???

Thanks chaps. I'm not so keen on the spots in the dick. I shall have my sticky toffee pudding (with dates) and custard

more likely to be pus-coloured custard

he always drags it down........lol

Mmmmmm slice of hairy pie....

Last nights DFT dividend on the FTSE100 was a biggie Toya, would have been paid to you however if you were long, I feel your pain as also got slapped with this...