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

its not doing anything. I have made a small fortune today trading between 30 point ranges. It takes intense concentration and constant vigilence but pays off. i wouldnt be surprised if it rose a little further then sold off in the last hour tracking the stronger $

The demand in the far east is outstripping any possible savings by ourselves penny pinching by not driving so much...not enough to go around....Saudi reserves declining etc...apart from the BG. discoveries in Brazil and possibly later the Falklands, no big discoveries....so here we are...like I said before : 2 worlds of Oil and Gas stocks going ballistic and the rest slumping...this could lead to nationalisation of certain Oil stocks in risky countries !

think i'll go hang myself! .... def a case of, "When Cynic decides to sell, it means buy and vice versa" .... hey ho! ..... i've had 6 positive weeks on the trot, so a reversal had to happen sooner or later .... just infuriating to do so primarily through lack of discipline

is anyone trading on IG ? They have kicked me out of the system and won't let me back in. Being a of the cynical time i think it was because i was making too much money today or do they have system problems

i have traded on IG for several years and still do ..... IG are delighted if you make money ..... that part makes no odds to them at all for they make their money on volume of trade and the commission .... give them a ring

I did so panic over. Ive traded about 50 times on oil today and the thing fell over. Fortunately up again. Thank goodness its Friday as I am knackered. Not looking good for the FTSE on Monday unless the dow turns around. The fear was if large selling volume comes at the end of the day we could be in unchartered territory.

having managed to totally screw up Dow today - how could i be such an arsehole - am now totally out ..... would like to think there will be a strong recovery but i have my doubts and am not prepared to risk yet more dosh to find out ...... shall wait for close and just may then open a position on FTSE for Monday, but common sense should probably say, "Don't do it!"

at least i have running shorts in SOLA and WPP, but that will be scant solace if tonight turns into a total bloodbath, and i then shudder to think what monday will bring

For my part i have been busy closing equities as protection, but failed to open any shorts as a direct hedge, still trying to get myself out of a hole im in with Nymex...

have just opened a short of FTSE at 5674.5 .... 5675 is meant to be a support, but i cannot see that holding on monday morning with Dow closing at 11890

Cynic from your recent posts it sounds like you would be in consideration as NUFC manager!

I know you lot are all shorting but from my point of vue...I need this bear market to end !

It wouldn't surprise me to see a bounce. I've noticed an interesting pattern repeat on the FTSE chart which suggests the possibility anyway. Bounce or not I think you'll see 5000 before too long, and then lower still over the next few years. I've no doubt people will continue (misguided) in the belief that the Fed and Co. can still make a difference. Personally I think this mess is way beyond any kind of rescue by now. All we need next is a collapse in commodity demand (or at least a bursting of the speculative bubble) .......

In my humble opinion.....

Strawbs
Watching from the sidelines......

On a long term view, see it as a good buying opertunity... wider market holding up so far, expect 250/350 to catch up...

It could be an even better buying oppertunity in around 18 months time...although probably longer than that.... ;-)

Follow the trend and wait for the first higher high before you start to buy.........

In my opinion anyway. :-)

Strawbs.

might be a better footie manager than backing the right index direction in the last couple of days ..... (almost) a total tosser though alleviated some pain by the odd correct call and would be very surprised indeeed if my FTSE short does not bear fruit

Bought some sugar yesterday. Recent 10% drop chart turning up, well so far anyway. Increasing Asian sweet tooth, cutting of eu subsidies for sugarbeet, high crude prices meaning Brazil shifts more sugar production to automobile use, questionable efficacy of sugarfree products and the usual rough weather and higher production input costs. Next Fed decision on March 18th. officially though no telling when they might next step in!

did you buy milk and coffee too?

I'm pleased to see the pain you suffered on the dow hasn't dented your sense of humour Cynic - and hope the pain will soon pass also.

Having played with my IG demo account, I went 'live' on Friday and nearly scared myself to death on the dow as it suddenly turned in the wrong direction! Luckily it came back and I made the tiniest profit. Will have a look at what the FTSE has been doing before Monday opening.

Couldn't afford milk and coffee. How about Brian Ashton's job cynic? Sure to be a vacancy soon.

no kidding .... what a totally inept display by both sides .... awful game and wales/ireland was little better