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

Toying with the pivot now!!

6700.8 closed @ 6675.5 for +25.3

Well done Shortie.

Thanks Skinny, GBP/USD not looking too good though

Hilary is the one for that - not really my bag.

Here's the daily and my positions, think I'll just hold and ride it out for abit.

Zurich Classic, here's my fantasy team

After-hours buzz: Microsoft, Starbucks, Visa & More
Kate Gibson | @CNBCKateGibson
1 Hour Ago
CNBC.com






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Check out which companies are making headlines after the bell Thursday:

Amazon.com - The online retailer posted first-quarter earnings per share of 23 cents on $19.74 billion in revenue, compared to estimates calling for EPS of 23 cents on $19.43 billion. Its shares jumped in after-hours trading.

Read MoreAmazon shares climb after revenue tops expectations

Las Vegas Sands - The casino operator reported first-quarter adjusted earnings per share of 97 cents on $4.01 billion in revenue, versus estimates of EPS of 94 cents on $3.91 billion in sales. Its shares climbed in after-hours trading.

Microsoft - The software company reported third-quarter earnings per share of 68 cents on $20.40 billion in revenue. Analysts expected EPS of 63 cents on $20.39 billion in sales. Its shares rose in after-hours trade.

Read MoreMicrosoft earnings dip on slight decline in revenue

Pandora Media - The online radio provider reported a first-quarter earnings per share loss of 13 cents, excluding items, on $180 million in revenue, versus expectations of a loss of 14 cents per share on $175 million in sales. Its shares declined in after-hours trade.

Starbucks - The coffee retailer reported second-quarter earnings per share of 56 cents, excluding items, on $3.87 billion in revenue, versus expectations of EPS of 56 cents on $3.95 billion in sales. Its shares edged higher in after-hours trade.

Read MoreStarbucks earnings in line, but revenue trails

Visa - The card payment processor tallied second-quarter earnings per share of $2.20, excluding items, on $3.16 billion in revenue, versus expectations of EPS of $2.18 on $3.19 billion in sales. Its shares declined in after-hours trade.

—By CNBC's Kate Gibson.

I'm still holding my FTSE short and have gone long on RBS & WMH this morning.

I've shorted GBP/USD @ 1.68167 bringing my average on the 3 positions now to 1.67904.... Can't smell any burning yet, might have a dabble on the FTSE later if it gets back to 6700.

Peter Schiff: Reckless Fed may push gold to $5,000

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — Peter Schiff, chief executive officer of Euro Pacific Capital, has been known to make forecasts outside the mainstream, and his long-running belief that gold has the potential to hit $5,000 an ounce is no exception. Prices, after all, are struggling to get a grip on $1,300.

1.68167 closed for a small profit, have a good weekend guys

Well done Shortie.

U.S. readies more sanctions as Ukraine costs rise for Moscow

Thanks Skinny. Looks like golds ticking up also.

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FTSE / DOW

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Tempted to short the Yen this morning.

GBP/JPY 172.323 gone short