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

4 Hour Wall St. long play I think for tonight here.

FRANKFURT--Economists once again cut their growth expectations for the euro zone for this year and next, according to a European Central Bank survey published Thursday, citing weak demand at home and abroad. Forecasters now expect euro-zone economic activity to contract by 0.6% in 2013, down from a previous prediction of a 0.4% contraction, made just three months ago, the ECB said in its quarterly Survey of Professional Forecasters. Survey respondents blamed weaker than expected domestic demand in the first quarter as the main reasons for the downward revision in 2013, but also noted "disappointing data from key emerging economies such as China and Brazil implying a lowering in the expected contribution of net trade to growth in the near term." Euro-zone growth is subsequently expected to rise 0.9% in 2014, down from a previous forecast of 1.0% in May, before accelerating to 1.5% in 2015, also downwardly revised from 1.6%. The survey results come despite welcome signs that the euro zone is returning to growth after six straight quarters of contraction. A recent surge in German growth, evident from an unexpected jump in industrial production, has fueled hopes for a modest recovery in the monetary bloc. An upbeat survey of purchasing managers in the euro zone last week and signs of slowing recessions in Italy and Spain have also raised expectations that euro-zone economy grew in the second quarter, after a 0.3% contraction in the first three months of the year. The positive news is unlikely to sway the ECB from its accommodative stance, however, as ECB forecasters also revised down their inflation expectations by 0.2 percentage points to 1.5% this year. Inflation is expected to remain at 1.5% in 2014, mainly reflecting weaker economic activity and euro-zone labor markets. Economists increased their expectations for unemployment in the euro zone to 12.4% in 2014, even after unemployment in the 17-country euro area edged down in June for the first time since April 2011. Inflation expectations for 2015 were unchanged at 1.8%, and long-term inflation should reach 2.0%, the survey said. The lower inflation expectation underscores ECB President Mario Draghi's determination to keep official interest rates at or below their present low levels "for an extended period of time." The top euro-zone central banker issued the forward guidance first in July, stressing that the central bank's "downward bias" is based on a subdued inflation outlook over the medium-term.

Just closed a FTSE long - watching for now.

Same here, closed out my DOW long last night for a profit but not in any indicie at the moment. Have four long futures currently open in Avanti, Fortune Oil, Amara Mining and Griffin Mining.

My 'trading' positions atm are longs in ETI, IQE, SUMM, PFD & TALK, also shorted AV. earlier - now closed.

US unemployment claims at 1:30.

Gold on a mission the last hour or so.

I've just dipped my toe in a Apple short @ 46149

it may be quite brave, though i know you watch these things very carefully
it's been a strange old day generally, with the markets flat to open then up nicely, then wall street went from +80 to -30ish and now it's +35

I'm short FTSE @6,590.

Apple short closed Friday at 45486 for +663. Probably should have let this run but seeing I'd made a decent profit and wasn't at a computer all day I decided to take the money and run. No FTSE positions currently.

I'm still short - no real economic news due today as far as I can see though!

On edit - well done Shortie!

Thank you Skinny, AAPL chart below MACD cross has only just started to form on the dailys so one to watch if your looking for a short of offset a DOW long position.

Well I've taken +40.

No idea now.

i think it's just one of those nasty soggy periods triggered by nothing

FTSE100 30min chart, short term support at 6556 should stall and giveway allowing for a futher test of 6484 I think looking at the below. gone short of FTSE 6565.8

Looks like another test of support is immenent!

Skinny, well done getting 40 pts off the FTSE this morning.

Thanks - I opened the short late Friday as the US fell and we carried on climbing.

Nothing obvious atm for this afternoon, so perhaps a good time to enjoy the sunshine!

I think you might be right, although I'm stuck at work so no rest for me.

46644 shorting AAPL