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

Not goıng agaınst the trend. Just surprısed at the melt up. Stretched a long way from MA. My feelıng ıs the end of the month wıll see a change of dırectıon.

Lots of the big boys gone ex-divi today:
AZN, BARC, BT.A, EMG, GSK, HSBA, LLOY, RIO.

really boring day today, and even the cricket isn't grabbing the attention

perhaps
U.S. retail sales figures for July are being posted at 8:30 a.m. ET
will spark a bit of life

New Hıgh for DOW today.

what's suddenly perked up the markets?

I havn't seen a perking up ?

whatever it was only lasted a few minutes ..... strange

USA
Jobless Claims in U.S. Decline to Lowest Level in Five Weeks

We are all waiting for J Yellen I believe? Something to do with forecasts for Fed monetary policy!

the markets are likely to be pretty twitchy until after yellen has read the runes tomorrow
i just shade towards feeling that the markets will heave a sigh of release, but much of that effect will not be seen in uk until tuesday (of course)

Unbelievable that Uber lost $1.2 bn in the last 6 months, yet is now heading for an IPO. Still has $8 bn cash.
Why would anyone invest in such a loss making company? Great concept, lousy business model, imo.

of the same ilk as mike ashley i feel - ie totally and utterly screws the workforce whatever they may claim

US fed keep everyone guessıng about another rate rıse whilst we and others are cuttıng base rates.

USA RATES
Yellen says case for rate rise has strengthened

Arguments for a second increase in short-term interest rates have strengthened amid firm jobs growth in the US, the Federal Reserve chair said, in words that suggest a move is becoming likely in the coming months and potentially as soon as September

OPINION FOLLOWING JY'S SPEECH
The general takeaway is that a September rate hike is still unlikely, but the US Federal Reserve (Fed) would like to see the markets fully pricing in a December rate hike so it can come to pass with minimal fanfare.

On the back of that, it is predicted that gold will strengthen in the short term, so worth watching all of the gold miners / producers.

DOLLAR EARNERS
to state the obvious .....
quality companies that earn (predominantly) in $ must be the surefire winners in the coming weeks

for myself, i hold BLT, AAL, AMZN, GOOGL, RDSB, BATS and IMPS
i also hold a few HOC

Slowly pulling back from highs in US.

Markets got some movement at last.