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

Closed a short @6838.3

Was it the 6880 one? if so well done.

Thanks - no - from today @6871.3.

Missed quite a few opportunities today - still having a few connection problems, which is annoying to say the least, especially as it affects the TV (youtube, Iplayer) etc.

BLT
worth a punt i think as sp pops back up through 200 dma ...

5.5 points off of the FTSE tomorrow.

LONDON, June 2 (Reuters) - The following FTSE 100 companies will go
ex-dividend on Wednesday, after which investors will no longer qualify for the
latest dividend payout.
According to Reuters calculations at current market prices, the effect of
the resulting adjustment to prices by market-makers would take 5.47 points off
the index.

COMPANY (RIC) DIVIDEND (pence) ESTIMATED IMPACT

Associated British Foods 9.70 0.1340
National Grid 27.54 4.0729
WPP 23.65 1.2635

Among FTSE 250 companies going ex-dividend are:

RIC COMPANY DIVIDEND(pence)

Alliance Trust 3.74
Bank Of Georgia 2.00 (GEL)
Brewin Dolphin 3.65
Cineworld 6.40
Debenhams 1.00
Evraz 0.06 (USD)
Greencore Group 1.76
Grainger 0.61
Keller Group 16.00
Laird 7.90
Murray Inc Trust 7.00
Pace 2.19
Pepretual Income & Growth 5.60
Synthomer 3.60
Taylor Wimpey 1.54

cash dow tumbling - currently -51
at least i'm short already, albeit at the wrong levels!

I've just bought NG. @876.50 for the 27.54p dividend tomorrow - I may regret the move, but they have fallen 20p (2.2%) today.

Same here

Well we both might as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb!

I meant same here to Cynic's post Skinny... I'll absorb the FTSE divi tonight as already taken profits in excess of it.

So just me then to hanged for a sheep as a lamb!!

"The boy stood on the burning deck
Whence all but he had fled;
The flame that lit the battle's wreck
Shone round him o'er the dead.
Yet beautiful and bright he stood,
As born to rule the storm;
A creature of heroic blood,
A proud, though child-like form."

That chart looks very familiar Skinny, I make it 6740 for a downside break otherwse it'll maintain bullish sentiment. It gets very nervous on any run up to 6900 though, what do you think, testing 6800 support right now?

Sorry Shortie - just seen your post.

Yes 6,807.82 stamped earlier.

I agree, although I've missed quite a few opportunities recently.

I still have the short (my top yellow line) in place, but haven't traded it today as yet.

A bit miffed with NG. - especially as I have a reasonable share holding.

NG.
bloody hell; that's been a stinker for you chaps notwithstanding there's a 27.5p divi in today's dump .... no logic i take it; just that the MMs saw you buying i dare say

Oh dear, just had a look at NG. Was looking rather overbought.

The ADRs are faring slightly better.