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

US Markets trying to improve

a very good recovery all round

Dow finished down over 2.8% tonight won’t help things again tomorrow.

FTSE 100. I think 7000 is possible in January.

Currently Long.

FTSE 100. I think 7000 is possible in January.

Currently Long.

On what basis C/D?

Some stocks are oversold. I think oil price will recover a bit. That should help BP Shell as they are the largest cap.

Then again it could all turn to custard

Shares in Ambrosia it is then

Premier Foods for Ambrosia.

10 Year chart on that one is a spilt dessert.

the markets are completely bonkers - even more so than usual
who would have thought that after last night, that today would see the virtual recovery (at the moment) of that mighty plunge?

NFP exceed estimates---312K might have something to do with it------recession what recession.

another mindset would have collapsed the market further due to the growing likelihood of a rate increase

Gradually improving.

Another scintillating day on the market.

Looking better :)

Unless your short.

WHERE ARE THE MARKETS HEADED
is the current rally in both usa and europe just a short-term bounce, or the start of a more meaningful change in sentiment?

concentrating initially on europe .....

brexit
parliament has made a complete mess of this, the only thing carrying a majority being an unwillingness to allow a dramatic no-deal
that in itself is a positive for business confidence, but the ultimate implications remain totally unknown


2nd referendum
this is more likely than it was a few weeks ago
whatever one's personal view on this, the result, whichever way it might go, will leave the country no less divided (splintered) than it is already


general election
this would totally unsettle the markets, and if the result was corbyn and the far left in power, both the markets and sterling would collapse
i have no idea how an early general election would or could now be triggered


trade war
it is looking more likely that the trade war between china and usa is indeed drawing to a close
of course it's in the interest of both parties that it does, but trump is such a loose cannon that he could easily screw things up at the last minute


chinese economy
assuming the trade war is soon settled, and it is already known that the chinese gov't intends to give its economy a kick, then this is all very positive for the markets


conclusion
on balance, i am now swinging towards a more positive frame of mind, though my inclination would still be too to favour investing in non-european stocks, usa being the most obvious

Target hit and closed out at 7000 on FTSE100 Long.

The vote (if it goes ahead) could give some spikes either way next week.

Yes could be some interesting volatility in the coming weeks.

But still prefer to fence sit until it settles down excepting that it could be some wait until at least this Europe situation is settled at home.

US holiday has made it a dull day for me. Which way tomorrow is the puzzle!!