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

Now have a look at the hourly

I've also posted this elsewhere.

By Nathalie Tadena Apple Inc. (AAPL) sold a record nine million of its latest iPhones in their first three days in stores, selling out of the initial supplies of the more expensive model. The company also said more than 200 million iOS devices are now running on its new iOS7 system, the fastest software upgrade in history. iOS7 is the first major design overhaul of the mobile operating system Apple first introduced in 2007 that gave rise to the booming apps economy. Apple shares jumped 3.6% to $484.20 in premarket trading. Through Friday's close, the stock is up 13% over the past three months. "The demand for the new iPhones has been incredible, and while we've sold out of our initial supply of iPhone 5s, stores continue to receive new iPhone shipments regularly," said Chief Executive Tim Cook. The company didn't break out the sales by model. Apple two weeks ago unveiled two new iPhone models but didn't stray far from its traditional form factors and pricing. The new flagship iPhone 5S includes a faster processor, a better camera and a new fingerprint scanner. A second, less expensive model called the iPhone 5C repackages much of the technology from last year's device in a new colorful plastic case. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that demand for the gold 5S was so strong in China and Hong Kong that Apple already has asked its suppliers to increase production of that model, citing people familiar with the matter. As the world-wide market for smartphones has increased, Apple has lost market share, particularly outside the U.S. and among first-time smartphone buyers. On the low end, competitors have been able to come in far below Apple's prices. On the high end, rival Samsung Electronics Co. has attracted customers with varied screen sizes and increasingly more impressive features, such as a pen to draw notes, and more advanced camera systems.

except AAPL is +$22.00 today
meanwhile in uk, everything looking very soggy ..... even ASC has dumped nearly £3.00, though XEL has pretences of moving ahead (+4 today)

Looking 'gappy'.

Thougt this was interesting...

Argos, eBay to Trial UK Store Collection Service

LONDON--Retailers Argos and eBay Inc. (EBAY) Tuesday said they are offering on a trial basis a new collection service, enabling U.K. consumers to pick up products purchased on ebay from Argos stores. The trial service, which will last for six months, will enable consumers to pick up products from about 50 selected eBay merchants at around 150 Argos stores throughout the U.K. The collection trial is not expected to have a material impact on the financial performance of Argos' parent company Home Retail Group PLC (HOME.LN). Home Retail shares at 0845 GMT were up 2 pence, or 1.2%, at 167 pence, valuing the company at GBP1.34 billion.

As Drax goes exdiv tomorrow (Drax Group PLC [DRX] (8.7 p)) I have bought a long DTF for no other reason than to try and work out the dividend payment on it..

Ex-divs will take 1.7 points off FTSE tomorrow.

Well Drax goes ex-div tomorrow at 8.7p per share, I'm running a £1 long just to work out what this will pay as a spread. Could probally just call City Index and ask them or look it up but thats no fun.

It will pay £8.70p.

(100 * 8.7p = 870p = £8.70)

That was the same calculation that I read Skinny, 100p = 100 shares. I've never tested it before so thought I'd do so to confirm the payment.

Its exactly the same as if you'd bought 100 shares- its certainly the case with other SB companies (I've never used City).

Edit - posts overlapped.

We shall see, have to say I've only ever held dividend plays within my ISA never on a spreadbetting account so a new play for me.

I quite often do on a Tuesday - if only to partly mitigate a FTSE short - the best recently was CLLN - bought on 3rd September - I received the dividend and it is currently 25 points in profit.

Today's punt is CNA.

This looks good also, that was my exact thinking Skinny to hedge out the charges on a FTSE short.

Yes I saw that - I chose CNA.

It all helps but its yet something else to be monitored/checked.

Spot on with that dividend calculation Skinny for Drax.

The CNA dividend play was 'millibanded' - managed to get out @390 and just bought again @382p

DRAX didn't fair any better.

You lost me there skinny!
Oh the freezing of power charges. OK