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

Gotta admit, expected it to bounce back by now, certainly looking comfortable under 12200 at present, although i dont think there is sufficient bad news today to cause a big drop, i'm well aware the triangle has closed up, and 12200 prior to today was considered the bottom of the consolidating zone, when it goes i think it will go quickly but prob not today....

I have heard that the S&P manipulates false break outs to trigger stop losses spitfire so probably the Dow too!

So would it work if you opened a position say long on Dow by CFD and hedged with short by spreadbet, then when direction clear, close the losing option...?!

Been playing the range over 12200 down to 12175 and back up, seams to have really narrowed now, anyones guess which way this will go..

Just got another short on at 12201.....

while 12200 is certainly important, it would be a fall below 12000 that would really get the alarm bells ringing

*nods head*

Closed out 12163.... Debating on a long

*Damn* its addictive, cant believe its the weekend... *Damn*...!

12219 gone short again

chocks away... 12230+

very strong rally, may regret that last one..

A good illustration of the wonders of the market, i cant reproduce the graph, but to follwers, (but non traders), its like a rocket just took off... 12311 and that was two minutes ago now...

Tell me about it, went short...... oooouuuucccchhhh...

Just shorted 12386...

That just wiped out my days profits, a measly 87 up today I'm left with..... Any ideas what caused that??...

Only thing i can find...

A CNBC commentator noted that a bailout plan for bond insurer Ambac (ABK 10.01, +0.78) could be announced as early as Monday or Tuesday next week. The report has given way to refreshed strength in regional banks (+1.0%) and multi-line insurance (+1.0%).DJ30 +7.65 NASDAQ -7.51 SP500 +1.26 NASDAQ Dec/Adv/Vol 1753/1122/1.93 bln NYSE Dec/Adv/Vol 1632/1473/+1.10 bln

undeservedly Lucky Alphonse here got very lucky and out of jail, clawing back about 60% of losses suffered earlier in the evening, but scary nevertheless

missus cant believe, i've blown 3 grand this week, that's her tit job down the swannie, im in the spare room....

*damn*