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

More on Merlin Group, worth a read if your considering buying.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/investing/shares-and-stock-tips/10421860/Why-you-shouldnt-buy-shares-in-Legoland-owner-Merlin-Entertainment.html

Shortie,
Questor doesn't mince his words does he. But I must agree his comments appear to be well thought through and compelling.
Maybe Merlin is a short from the start then?!

Merlin isn't for me despite my childhood love for Lego. I'll wait for direction before making a play... Twitter yesterday, a loss making company with half its registered users inactive and a obvious short is a great example of how illogical markets can be..

A week later than originally scheduled, but it's Jobs Friday as US economic data continue to catch up following the shutdown. Because of the estimated temporary impacts from that on the federal workforce, October's job growth is seen being muted--and that's compared with the ongoing slowdown that's been seen all year. Thursday's GDP report may have fanned some taper fears in the equity market (something always needs to be blamed when profit-taking happens), but it's not likely the employment data will provide Bernanke & Co. with much to feel that upbeat about regarding the labor picture. With the Dow industrials having undid Wednesday's rally yesterday, futures are up 13 and the S&P 500 gains 4.

i may well short TWTR this morning, depending on what the employment numbers look like and market's reaction

meanwhile have taken a few small profits on some trading positions in uk shares, merely as insurance against a few days retrenchment

U.S. economy adds 204,000 jobs in October - well ahead of expectations; Unemployment rate steady at 7.3%.
markets, being contrary beasts, didn't like this for all the usual nonsense reasons
imo, it will have no effect at all on any tapering decision, so have added back (cheaper) the long dow i encashed this morning

The big upside surprise in jobs growth caught bond bulls off guard. Long bets are unwinding. "It is a very strong report no matter how you look at it. Taper in December is definitely back on the table," says Jason Rogan, managing director of US government bond trading at Guggenheim Securities. Rogan says the 10-year yield likely rises above 2.75% in the coming week as the market also faces $70B in fresh debt supply. The 10-year note is 31/32 lower, yielding 2.727%.

even so, the numbers are a good indication that the economy (been saying this about worldwide for ages and ages!) is picking up, which surely cannot possible be a "bad thing"

QE was only ever meant to be medicine for the sick
tapering will for sure only be gradual as and when it happens, and should not have a negative effect

fed government closes down=improving economy!

It depends on just how much easy money and a full time running printing press has had to do with the 'recovery'... Either way FED Taper and end of easy money should cause markets to fall.

wait and see, but cash dow has now recovered to b/e

I'm weighted long on the FTSE so I'd prefer a close above 6680 to confirm bullish sentiment still in play.

TWTR
i'm surprised to see that most trades seem to be only in 100 shares, which is <£3,000, with just a smattering at 3/500

was about to have a little play, but IG don't yet have stock available to borrow, so currently shorting through that route not possible, though apparently it should be some time next week

Shortie, if you are interested :- Ex-divs to take 11.6 points off FTSE 100 on Nov. 13

Cheers Skinny, I was wondering...

Well thats me short divi payment made and a little extra..

likely to be a shaky day today following a bad night in f/e

.

I like shaky, could well see the FTSE bullish sentiment reverse by close of play. If we close well below 6680.

6643 was last weeks low so first support should be around here.