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

FTSE
aha! it's crept through 6800 for the first time in a a week or two (i think) so if it holds, then a quick surge ahead of the budget must be on the cards

FTSE
6868 on way north is likely to be a barrier as that is where 25 dma is met
i'm already long (6779) so showing a good profit, so may cash in anyway before the above hurdle

go to page 1 for chart

Missed the morning up tick on FTSE 100. Undecided at the moment.

prob best to leave it, though there may still be a few points to go ahead of tomorrow's budget

Strange session today. Dow Down. FTSE UP

Usually St Patricks Day gives a positive read in US.

apart from general volatility, there is now a fear that fed will raise interest rates in june
indications of this or otherwise are expected in the next day or two

FTSE
out at 6832 to bank a good profit
i had hoped for 6868, but it's rather battling the headwind from across the pond
also, my intent was always to sell ahead of the news (budget) as reaction to that is totally unpredictable

Where to now cyners, sell the news now or clench buttocks to test highs? Answers on a postcard :0)

my head says that unless wall street recovers its nerve - wait for yellen's pronouncements this evening - then i do not see that ftse can withstand the headwind created

I agree, down to Yellen to cock everything up or not. Tightened stops to lock in profits on stocks just in case.

US interest rates must assuredly rise sooner rather than later, but that is merely a reflection of the strengthening economy
however, there are a number of external international factors that rather muddy the picture

big cheesy grin for me on the DOW, but it must be admitted after a few palpitations and sweaty palms

in the wake of the surge of the DOW - has now breached 18,000 but will it hold it? - cash FTSE is up about 25 and is also at its all time high having burst through 6960 - but again, will it hold it, especially after such a strong day pre and post budget?

George and Janet.

Thank you

cash ftse has now fallen to 6950 so an interesting start to tomorrow

Last 10 days have been a white knuckle ride.

.

i've got lucky in that time :-)

as the dust from the budget and yellen settles, my inclination remains to short the markets
this applies in particular to FTSE with the impending election certain to unsettle

as i write,
FTSE is still a tad above the key 6960 mark, but it's not showing fresh impetus
DOW remains quite comfortably above 18,000 but is showing signs of small weakness

So close to 7000 again for FTSE.