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

Can't keep going like this can it ?

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DEFYING GRAVITY
everything still feels wrong with these markets
i don't think there's a pundit anywhere who disagrees but for now the markets have blinkers

i am virtually out of trading stocks and my sipp now has a good proportion of high quality, high yield stocks - eg BATS, IMPS and BVS

though the markets continue their merry way, i want to sleep at night!

Yes, I agree, though I still think it's worth being in a few stocks (Gold, diamonds, miners) as they are still going up. The nearer we get to May/June I will try and reduce my risk (Low Beta stocks).

I also agree, nothing much except daily bad news and the market go's up. Reckon they are trying to suck people in the market only for it to drop like a stone around May time and the rest of the summer.

I think the DOW/FTSE is a short for May June ,if it doesn't take you out first on the way up .

everything says it should be, but that has so for at least the last month or so

i think when it falls, it will do so sharply and with virtually no warning

FTSE must be the better bet to short if only because of the referendum, but best closed before the day for obvious reasons

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as an observation ......
in recent weeks, any sharp fall has seen an almost instant recovery, DOW being the easiest example

unless i'm much mistaken, that has given rise to higher lows and higher highs, which is always bullish ..... or at least it is until sentiment turns

...Exciting isn't it?

yes, but impossible to read

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FTSE
6,440 may be an interesting level at which to short

Generally yes but not all the time and as we think "if and when" it go's south we are ready to jump on for the ride.

Dow still going up.

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Looks like we might be carrying on upwards .

This is all a bit bizarre. Most of my screen is blue.......I am expecting a big correction soon, though happy to see profits increase atm.

In that case if your individual shares are in profit sell, take the profit and wait (with capital+profit in tact) for the slump then short the index and then whalla!..bobs your auntie.

Is that what you'v done Stan ?

Yep, sold PMO this morning and ready to sell PDL, though letting that one run for the moment. Even my POG holding is in profit, though not enough to get excited about!.......am nearly ready for the slump you promised!!!! ;o)

Yes JB. but I have already shorted the index (showing a loss so far) which is a bit disappointing but this rather odd continued rise cannot last I would have thought.

I agree ,to much uncertainty around .

Keep having to remind ourselves that the market doesn't usually go up or down in straight lines.. if it does then somethings not right.