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

time to watch the Dow carefully .... despite the nasty news from Freddie, the Dow has now inched into positive territory ...... however, there is likely to be (quite stern?) resistance around 11650 ..... i would expect this level to be challenged at least once this evening but would be moderately surprised to see it broken with any impetus, even though sentiment looks to have taken a definite turn for the better

i look to have called the first part of the forecast correctly, Dow having been up to about 11640 3 times ....... now time to watch and wait

Wait for what? DOW currently +40.

wait to see whether it holds above 11640/11650 ..... and it just about has ...... tomorrow could be interesting as opposing forces struggle against each other, but overall an encouraging end to the day

Not much on the economic front tomorrow. Interim results from Barclays about the only major influence on the FTSE, so could be a reasonable day, as you say.

B of E rate decision is pretty big I'd thought.

Certainly will be if they raise rates .. market will hate.

Ah yes. Missed that one! However, no change expected, much like the FED's decision.

As predicted, no U.K. interest rate change.
DOW looking bleak however. Currently -70.

US jobless claims poor.

rose 7000 to 6 yr high

Oil seems to have swallowed some viagra, wonder how quickly it will fade

Lets hope it's longer than the life of a little blue pill, otherwise my holdings in IEC, GOO, DNX & BLT are gonna take a pounding. (Metaphorically speaking of course, 'cos when the blue pill runs out then........................I'll get my coat).

Interesting that oil shares pre-empted crude's recent fall, will their recent rise pre-empt it's rise?
The dollar is doing a superman impression this week, wonder when it's going to fall flat on it's face?

At londons close dow was 1% down, and then finished 2% down, so I can't see ftse holding out with this sort of movement.

Important results from RBS tomorrow, with 6.0bn w/o forecast, and I have seen a loss of between 1.0bn to 1.7bn predicted.

Interesting day ahead.

Good luck..................

Looks like the viagra has worn off big time ! despite a war in Georgia

strong performance by Dow but still really struggling to break through 11640/11650 ..... mind you, if it does, then could be like a cork from a bottle

Gold at key support 850 and presumably 150 eurodollar ditto. Difficult to work out if it is oil or dollar driven

gold is $ driven ..... strong $ = weak gold in simplistic terms

25 point loss on ftse today, I called it correct and went long this morning, but timing off because s/l out. It feels like we could have some short term gains with markets wanting to advance. So I'm a short term bull for a change.

DOW showing +70 start, so might be a reasonable afternoon.
Thought there might have been a friday afternoon/bank holiday selloff on the FTSE.

With this lot due out today, surprising that the DOW is only -3 at the moment:
2:00 PM GMT US Consumer Confidence (AUG)
2:00 PM GMT US Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index (AUG)
2:00 PM GMT US New Home Sales (JUL)
2:00 PM GMT US New Home Sales (MoM) (JUL)
2:00 PM GMT US House Price Index (MoM) (JUN)
2:00 PM GMT US House Price Index (QoQ) (2Q)
6:00 PM GMT US Federal Open Market Committee Meeting Minutes
9:00 PM GMT US ABC Consumer Confidence (AUG 24)