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

Got up too late today - my short running away from me - but still open for the time being - sentiment seems to be driving FTSE forward - but not with any confidence - so might just hang on a tad longer

Well done spitfire - wish I had the discipline to quit when I am ahead

with the indices I'm doing OK, no emotion and I just follow a trading plan.

on the other hand I can't do it with positions on individuel companies, I seem to jump in at the wrong time, or take profits too early. I entered a position short on KGF, and just closed for a loss, on reflection I didn't have any signal on the charts to trade, I just wanted to trade for the sake of it.

Very stupid !

Will do some more homework before next position.

I have closed my short at 6190 - and its too nice out to sit watching this for the rest of the day so I am out. Zero profit - but no loss either

good job as FTSE now 6240

Looks like I timed my exit right - but missed the rise - never mind 0 its too nice out there to be playing the markets

I note DOW has broken up past 12800 level, 12850 at the moment, if this holds overnight it should be a bullish start in London am.

Quite agree Spitfire. And Dow even briefly reached a high of 12905 this evening.

I am short on FTSE at 6245

Looks like this is bouncing so out at 6240. Small profit - but a profit nevertheless

if FTSE drops back to 6200 (psychological round number) or 6175 (200 dma), suggest going long again with a view to an upper mark just over 6300

I had placed a long earlier at 6247, but just closed out for 3 point loss.

We have inflation figures and housing and mortgage data due at 09:30, this could give some guide to ftse.

took my own advice and gone long at 6157

went short again at 6200, moved my stop loss down to 6160 to protect my gain - but chickened out at 6155

.

Have followed you in on a long cynic at 6159 - but with a tight stoploss. Dont want to risk losing my gains

Have to go out for a while - but able to set my sl at 6160 - so should not make any loss on this now

Looks like I have been stopped out on this - still a 5 is a 5

shame .... it was a good call .... FTSE now 6180

Looks like the US markets like what Bernanke has to say - the Dow is rising even as he speaks. Oh to have such power to move the world!