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

Don't do it.

i think you're right ...... when in doubt do nowt :-)

Futures haven't really moved at all today. Surely a DOW punt before the open is a 50/50 gamble?

Well done Alf.. now about that fiver you owe me -):

cynic , i myself would be more likely to go long FTSE and be out with any decent points.

That last statement does not contain any investment advice the FTSE can go down as well as up .

Up it is then today Chaps.. early at least.

Big Bounce . Had to happen but for how long ?

Indeed.

i did nothing, which was actually the sensible thing, but it's always annoying when you find you have guessed right - and keep very quiet when the reverse!

how big a bounce remains to be seen, but longer term the outlook remains grim

I agree medium to long term not looking great at the moment.

I'm not hanging around here any more ,you lot are all doom and gloom ..

Steady man.. stay resolute.

are you bullish the jimmy?
if so, i'ld be interested to know your reasoning

No i suppose i'm not at the moment . However i don't think we are looking at a meltdown similar to before.
Oil will undoubtedly rise again that i'm sure of .

When Opec are satisfied that they have stuffed the Fracking industry enough in the States.

meanwhile iran is about to open the taps wide, and though there has been a minor recovery o'night, crude is still quite easily below $30

Opec was on the verge of claiming victory over its North American rivals last night after its strategy of squeezing out the shale industry by flooding the markets with oil appeared to be vindicated. The oil producers' cartel said that falling prices would force lower production from its rivals by the end of this year, with American and Canadian producers particularly affected. - The Times

Be interesting to see if the ft holds the +100 mark and advances when the Dow opens today.