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

6680.3 FTSE gone short

I thought you'd gone home shortie.

just finishing up, couple of trades to carry over.

FTSE closed gain for +5.

Apple announces increase to stock buyback program, dividend. Will split stock. Earnings, sales also beat forecasts.
sp +7.55% after hours

Facebook profit triples on mobile growth
Facebook reported solid mobile advertising growth in its first-quarter results Wednesday.
sp +1.64% after hours

skinny earlier you said....." I haven't even looked at the TALK thread for months - it currently shows over 6900 unread posts.".................ends

where did you find this????

Im looking at it and its showing nil???

Admitedly it covers more than its fair share of politics(and arguments), but its up to the individual to set the agenda at anyone time on the thread re- subject.

Their are a big % of us on there that like politics, but that doesnt mean any other subject cannot be debated.

How about the demise of Man Utd GF?

Yes that aswel Chris which you already have started earlier this week and the thread stretched to another 7 posts, which just goes to show if theirs interest in your subject it will get debated.

Good point made.

GF - if you look at the thread list, it shows the status of each thread for you - so the NOWT thread (for me) shows Total posts 39888, unread 6988.

skinny it says under unread 3 now at the moment. can you explain further, cant see what you are meaning, cheers.

Those numbers are relevant to you - here is what I see.

Thats strange, is that because you have a premium subs????

and why should they be different to free subs members?.

Deep breath!.........this could take a while! ;o)

No its the same for each individual - it just shows how many posts on any thread that I have read or are unread, your view will show the same for you.

Unread for me now shows 6990, so one new post has been made that I haven't read.

This bloke's a few cans short of a six pack as well.

Cheers skinny i see harry hasnt changed........poor lad.

Just that your post from yesterday comes over a little misty to regular readers of that thread.

Anyway no probs. We are all individuals and although some detest politics others thrive on it.

I see John Burko in a similar situation is wanting to stop the noise and arguing in the commons on PMQs because a handful of female MPs dont like it.

I say NO sorry Burko Quit, we the public like it as it is and wouldnt watch it if it werent competitive. He makes the most noise anyway.

That your husband Hilary, 1 pint short of a crate, he he.

Went short FTSE first thing 6700, still running my Cable short also.

Mario speaks @10.