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

6512.5 closed at 6496.8 for +15.7, 6483.3 short still in play.

US Jul New Home Sales -13.4% To 394K; Consensus 490K

6384.4 FTSE closed -1.1 pts

Just over two weeks to the St Leger. Lets hope things get a bit more active on the stock market. All a bit dull atm.

U.S. economy grew at 2.5% annual rate in second quarter, faster than previously reported by Commerce Department.
so will the markets perversely now run scared?

You'd think so Cynic, any tapering will cause concern that growth might stall.

Debating going short on the FTSE, already been short once today and closed at profit, looking for above 6500, 6520-6535 shows resistance

6506 short

6462 closed for +56

FTSE 100 Daily Below, tempted to go long but will wait and see what happens this afternoon.

Rate decisions are due from the Bank of Japan, the Bank of England and the European Central Bank Thursday, along with the U.S. ADP employment report, while nonfarm payrolls are out Friday.

I have sadly sold all my CSR shares after a terrific run; there's a buying opportunity for someone here :-)

FTSE short 6540

6491 FTSE position closed +49 pts.

Well done Shortie - I was short @6,532, went out and left a limit in for 6,507 (+25)!

10 min FTSE below.. Awaiting the potential rebound.

Skinny +25, at least its a profit, well done..

Thanks - sods law - it never seems to work the other way round!

I've been short more than long of late based on the Syrian situation, but it looks like the markets are starting to ignore it for now.

Can't see the Syrian situation having much effect on the FTSE, I think gold and oil will see the biggest shift if soemthing develops.

Anyone fancy gold?

Small gold @1368.95.

Gold 4 hr below, worth keeping an eye on as the recent trending has been long. I make 1348 the first downward stop if going long.