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

Thats the GJ shorts now closed..

FTSE short now averages 6733

just read the article attaching to that link, and may re-read

however, stainless steel (s/s) prices are currently very depressed, which is a reflection of both iron ore prices and probably nickel too - an important and expensive element in s/s production

i know that our industry provides just a very small element in s/s demand, but there is no question that demand for tank-containers is very strong indeed, with certainly the last remaining south african manufacturer in that field (SA was world leader from the mid 80's, but that is another story) has sold out the whole of his 2014 production

that being the case, it is further proof positive that the chemical industry (and demand for same) is on a strong recovery course, with all the obvious implications that that brings in its wake

with that in mind, i repeat that i am much inclined to buy into BLT (as it happens) which is a quality company with a diversified portfolio - not sure if it has any nickel assets, but most certainly iron ore and copper

from the above article ......
Thus, a rebound in China's metal imports along with improvement in global manufacturing will push iron ore prices upward. Furthermore, iron ore prices will be supported by increased demand from steel markets in India, Japan and South Korea.

i've just checked the BLT web site ..... its portfolio includes significant assets in all the "interesting bits"!

BLT isn't a share I'd be looking to get into not whilst metals prices are where they are.

i'll let you know if i've been a smartarse :-)

OK, but it that support line keeps on being tested I may well short the stock. Have a look at the Traders Thread on Charles Stanley today for a quick overview..

2 more futures bought in UK Commercial Property Trust.

I wonder if we'll see a return below 167?

.

very very glad i have a little selection of short positions .... tomorrow threatening much blood

And what a beautiful day (hey hey)
What a beautiful day
And nothing is impossible
In my all powerful mind

Skinny, any idea what the dividend payment on the FTSE is tonight for shorts held over?

It's 3.39p

Thanks Skinny.

One I've been watching - down after lowering its guidance pre-market.

About to break out of the 2014 range or simple short??

I'm short (as ever), but I guess we are at the vagaries of the US reporting season over the next couple of weeks or so.

From the IG email.

Amazon.com Inc, expected 9pm on 29 January 2014
Cisco Systems Inc, expected 9pm on 13 February 2014
Citigroup Inc, 1pm on 16 January 2014
eBay Inc, 9pm on 22 January 2014
Goldman Sachs Group Inc, 12.30pm on 16 January 2014
Hewlett-Packard Co, expected 9pm on 21 February 2014
IBM Corp, 9pm on 21 January 2014
Intel Corp, 9pm on 16 January 2014
JPMorgan Chase & Co, 12 noon on 14 January 2014
Microsoft Corp, 9pm on 23 January 2014
Twitter Inc, 9pm on 5 February 2014
Yahoo! Inc, expected 9pm on 28 January 2014

SSYS - was half tempted to buy along with DDD; thank goodness i didn't, nor DDD as it happens