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

both dow and ftse currently at very "interesting" levels
for further impetus, we probably need to see both breaking further north

whether or not there'll be some sort of sell-off following the news of the us rate rise tomorrow is a great unknown ...... and even if there is an immediate reaction (in either direction), will it just be a short-lived knee-jerk?

Personally think that the rate rise over there is already priced in, and that a quarter point rise will have no effect when confirmed, but we shall see.

on that basis, are the markets (still) o'sold, especially dow?

Yes they are , but we need oil to pick up to get the rally going

the markets are obviously anticipating some major fizz across the pond

cash DOW currently showing +115 at 17490 and dragging FTSE along on its coattails (+105 at 5980)

i shall be very happy indeed if those levels are held throughout the session ..... perhaps relieved would be a better choice of word

DOW
assuming the opening is not just a flash, then 17625 is the next level to hope for

Looks like we will be finishing on a high today which bodes well .

Told ya in post 19062 {19068}
wait for Tuesday

no you didn't .... you said monday :-))

DOW now trading in a very narrow range but finding resistance at 17580

answer below ...... convergence of 50+200 dma



17600 would be an obvious "round number" resistance, but if broken would also show the convergence well breached

chuckle
mentor would have been proud of my prescience, having called the above barely 2 minutes before the cork popped ..... we're now at 17,620 :-)

Predict FTSE down to 5935 until Yellin starts shoutin

Wounder if she will mention 'Sub-Primes' to dampen things a little

why do you predict FTSE 100 drop from now until later today?

Bloomberg thinking is that the recent indices bounce is due to Emerging Markets valuations looking very cheap and luring in speculative investors. The Fed decision (or not) is well telegraphed and is pretty much factored in. A 'No rate increase' would probably knock the market back a little.

Temp drop while peeps await decission.(plus would do me a favour, so I can buy more lower)
Janet's got a big plate of Salt Beef and salad before she starts Yellin an spittin an wind breakin :)

Would love to see Donald and Janet havin a fight when he becomes new big Pres.

i'm currently long FTSE and a little out of the money and ditto some DOW
haven't worked out the strategy, but i expect selling after the news, but where b4 and where immediately after?

I hope you make good today.B-)
I still say 6300-6400 by Xmas.( pos 6500)

i certainly wouldn't complain with that either, though that looks supremely over-optimistic :-)

meanwhile cash DOW flirting with the next resistance ~17,665
not sure how big a hurdle that might be