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

what would you like? FTSE or DOW

You choose :-)

1HR FTSE then as I'm working off it..

I have a limit in @6,488 - but may move it.

Just added a FTSE short...

Daily FTSE

30min Wall St

That "head above the parapet" on the DOW is asking for a sniper.

It does, not ready to breakout just yet. Market had pretty much already priced in those payroll numbers..

FTSE should head back to 6465 I think

FTSE 10 min

MARKET TALK: Time to Buy Treasurys, Sell Stocks?

9:08 EST - Today's bond selloff has eased a bit as prices bounce off session lows, and Jeremy Hill at hedge fund TF Market Advisors says time to buy bonds on the dip. He argues stock futures' rally on the jobs report isn't that strong, and that there is every indication that equities are being driven by QE. "The slightest fear that QE might be removed limits their upside. I do not like stocks here and actually think we can close down on the day. That seems insane when we finally get a headline job number that is good, but this market is far from normal."

FX CHAT: Fiscal tightening keeping payrolls cheer in check

Running theme across notes from economists in reaction to the payroll report: A solid reading that may not continue as payroll taxes and government spending cuts work into the economy. "The labor market was in decent shape before the sequester began and before the impact of the Jan. 1 payroll tax hike started to work through, but that does not mean these two factors--a tightening worth about 1.5% of GDP--will not reduce payroll growth in the months ahead," says Ian Shepherdson, chief economist at Pantheon Macroeconomic Advisors. Fiscal tightening is also a hurdle the Fed will want to see the economy pass before dialing down its bond-buying stimulus.

last one now - FTSE 3 min

Remember it's US DST changes this weekend, so there'll be 3 weeks during which everyone will be able to get into a mucking fuddle over news release times. :o)

Guess it might confuse the Yanks.

Sunday 10th March 2013 US clocks are moving forward an hour.

On Sunday 31st March 2013 the UK clocks will also move forward an hour.

Well have a good weekend all, I've closed FTSE short 6464 so am happy..

Steady!

Nice work Shortie.

Budget 2013: Osborne urged to focus on house building

It is understood that the CBI will tomorrow call for a new focus on housing in order to revive the construction and building industry and help boost gross domestic product.

In a boost for George Osborne ahead of the budget, which will be unveiled on March 20, it is understood the CBI will reiterate its strong support for the Chancellor’s desire to keep the country’s finances under control and pledge its continued backing for the Government’s debt reduction programme.

Construction accounts for 7pc of the British economy, but output fell sharply in January, down 7.9pc, according to government figures released on Friday.
The latest Office for National Statistics figures and the Markit/CIPS construction purchasing managers’ index survey suggested that the sector had contracted every month since last October.