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

U.S. gains 217,000 jobs in May; unemployment 6.3%

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - The U.S. added 217,000 jobs in May and the unemployment rate held steady at 6.3%, suggesting that a spring-induced economic expansion shows little sign of letting up, according to government data released Friday. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch had expected an increase of 210,000 nonfarm jobs. Employment gains for April and March were little changed, the Labor Department said. In May, professional services, health care, bars and restaurants and transportation added the most new jobs. Yet two key sectors that pay well, manufacturing and construction, only gained a combined 16,000 jobs. Average hourly wages, meanwhile, rose 0.2% to $24.38, and they are up 2.1% over the past 12 months. The average workweek was unchanged at 34.5 hours. The labor-force participation rate was also unchanged at 62.8%, which matches a 36-year low. The government said 282,000 new jobs were created in April, down slightly from a preliminary 288,000. March's gain of 203,000 was unchanged. So far in 2014 the economy has gained an average of 214,000 jobs a month, about 10% above the 2013 pace of 194,000.

Dax is too fast to comment on right now, have taken first profit and looking get back in over 9987

The result of QE.... I'm wondering if this will break right now...

being of nervous disposition, i have banked a couple of adequate profits on longs of C+M Index and HG+HC Index

both the above are very volatile, and i really can't believe that dow can keep powering north ..... if there's profit-taking later this evening, which would be very nice(!), then both the above could open sharply lower on monday

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shortie - south or north?

Shows as very overbought on every chart upto the weekly which is also now tipping so I'd have to say south... Problem is there's no resistence at these uncharted levels. 17000 is the next big number but who knows it could well be broken... I'm running the 5, 10 and 15 min charts for small shorts then betting big to effectively profit points and cover the unrealised losses this is generating, a rather dangerous game. Pissing against the wind, this is more like shitting in a hurricane!

Dow 30

only IBM and Pfizer below 200MA.

Shorting here is brave I must admit

Theres a European wall of money moving into equities right now. Why lend when equities offer a better return and are potentially less risky. Also the ECB has undermined its own currency with this weeks actions. Interest rates need to rise now to cool both equity markets and property. The only question is who will go first and risk a negative growth figure.

Once "The Wall of Money" has found a home it will be time to take it off them.

CD - things are never that logical, for else we'ld all be tax exiles

Ex-divs to take 8.24 points off FTSE 100 on Jun 11

LONDON, June 9 (Reuters) - The following FTSE 100 .FTSE 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 8.24 points off the index. Name RIC Dividend (GBp) Shift JOHNSON MATTHEY JMAT.L 45.5 0.369724784 VODAFONE GROUP VOD.L 7.47 7.8693775 Among FTSE 250 .FTMC companies going ex-dividend are: BOOKER GROUP BOK.L GBp 2.75 BR EMPIRE SECS BTEM.L GBp 2 BIG YELLOW GRP BYG.L GBp 7.4 EDINBURGH INV EDIN.L GBp 8.5 F&C COMM PRP FCPTL.L GBp 0.5 INTERMEDIATE CAP ICP.L GBp 14.4 LONDONMETRIC LMPL.L GBp 3.2 SHAFTESBURY PLC SHB.L GBp 5.2 SCOT MTG INV TR SMT.L GBp 7.6 VICTREX VCTX.L GBp 11.39

I've taken a position in Johnson Matthey as a divi hedge.

I bought MER last week (6.3p) and may also buy VOD (7.47p) or CNCT (3.1p).

You and VOD Skinny...

Intermediate Capital Group doesn't look a bad shout.

I've just heard that Rik Mayall has died.

Deep pockets required!

so long as they are eventually filled :-)

£/€ at YTD high earlier.

UK economic output will get near 5 percent boost from data changes