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

here you are .....

"Economic growth slowed late last year," the Fed's committee said in its statement, noting that the job market had improved.
In a widely expected decision, the Fed's committee also decided not to raise its key interest rate. Just a month ago, in December, the Fed raised rates for the first time in nearly a decade.
Despite its worries, the Fed stopped short of saying that the volatility in January will change its plans to raise rates at least four times for the rest of 2016. The committee noted that it's "monitoring global economic and financial developments."
It's worth remembering that after stocks tanked in late August, the Fed didn't raise rates in September. So far, the Fed hasn't indicated it is is changing its mind.
U.S. stocks fell after the Fed's statement was released. The Dow, which was up about 10 points before the release, tumbled over 100 points.

==================

i'm sure the fed's response was right
had there been an indication that rates wouldn't rise, it would (or at least could) have been interpreted that things were even more dire than published

btw, worth noting that despite its tumble, DOW is holding above 16,000
check same at close

also
WTI is $32.50 =scarcely changed and BRENT is $33.80

DOW has now dumped more than 250 which i think is nuts, so have had a little dabble

i agree with the IG analysis per below .....

Markets got the more dovish tone they were hoping for, with the Federal Reserve noting slowing economic growth and tipping its hat towards the idea inflation won't rise towards 2% as fast as it thought in December. This doesn't mean a March move is out of the question, but the reference to global economic developments means there will have to be plenty more improvement in the US economy before one is a definite possibility.

With the risks to the economy no longer seen as 'balanced' this is a Fed committee drawing in its horns. It was never going to admit that December's move was a mistake, but today's statement acknowledges it is not time to get carried away with rate hikes.

The market reaction was muted but it seems the way is clear for more upside for stocks and FX, while the dollar will struggle to make much headway given the trimming of expectations for rate hikes. The rally, it seems, has more life left in it.

You staying long overnight cynic ???

no .... i'll certainly remove half at a small profit, and maybe all

Maybe smart ,their seems to be no rhyme or reason at the moment.

You can say that again.

You can say that again.

No trades yesterday. FOMC day normally get a lot of movement whıch ıs fıne ıs your goıng ın the correct dırectıon. Wıll ıt go lower stıll from here.

What again? Dow's up the ft's down, the Dow's down and the ft's down.. what happened to form then? -):

Up a nadge on the open and enough to trip my long out with a bit up at last.

DOW
what i said turned out to be on the button, and certainly and perhaps just for now, cash is rocketing away (now +130)
nevertheless, i wanted to sleep last night(!) and though i could have bought in just after 07:00 when indication was only +29, that too would have been pretty foolhardy, even if correct

Just watching this one http://uk.investing.com/commodities/real-time-futures

Clarification needed chaps, is it the Brent or the US one that makes a difference over here and that I should be paying attention to?

Ed: Oil price I mean.

WTI has more international influence, though i think saudi checks against Brent :-)

as WTI is the lower priced, it is probably better to watch that one with a view to the $30 level

Thanks.

Amazon & Microsoft figures to come this afternoon......for you guys trading the DOW.

i wonder what's spooked DOW as it's now in negative territory and FTSE down nearly 50

haven't been around to trade, but jimmy and others could (must) have been having a field day

Not me ,too erratic .

slightly puzzled by FTSE dilatory performance, especially with crude on the up
am inclined to go long

any thoughts jimmy?