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

actually nice to see the mkt makers are up to their old tricks and chopping some of these quotes off at the knees from their earlier highs and massive spreads. The tricks never chance as there is always an endless line of sheep to be slaughtered

If I wasn't so cynical.....

I'd have to say it's lucky this is happening on witching day....

Oh. Hold on. I am cynical!

In my opinion.

Strawbs.

If it's any consolation DD even doing a trade on Barclays was slow..must be general higher volume today slowing platforms down.

its annoying thats it wasn't done on sunday for a change, as clearly they don't want to be predictable. Was planning to get in big on Friday night. But feeling the same cynicism as strawbs i guess i would be pulling my hair out as the platforms would crash and I couldnt sell like many of you are finding. For once pleased to be a spectator. BB. has dropped 50% from the high I commented on 10 mins ago. Ouch

little compensation I'm afraid Stan. Lost alot of profit the last 15 mins.

As soon as I can get my money out, Selftrade are sacked.

Stan/dealerdear: I've got Barclays and it's not 'slow' it's impossible!

I felt the same and did the same as you think now a couple of years back and have never regretted that decision.

I accept not being able to get prices in these mkts for the first couple of mins but not for a system to crash for most of the day.

I figure most of these wild moves are just more market manipulation. The same manipulation market makers have always used to move prices around when they want to encourage buyers or sellers. As usual the private investor finds it impossible to take part in these moves, either because of slow systems, lack of transparency or access. Maybe the FSA should look at leveling the playing field next.

In my opinion.

Strawbs.

Not if you give it time DFBPBJ and persevere.

Strawbs,
I view this as a time to get any "profitable" positions sold. and nothing else as I believe we are heading further down.

Same problems on TDW trading platform, unable to trade live but it is accepting limit orders.

Thats how I got out S43.

ED: Sorry DFBPBJ I should have said in my post to you that I managed to get out via a limit Order.. i'm using them for a lot of my trades these days.

Unfortunately you can't even get into your account on selftrade and the phones are down so we're doomed. Sorry to carry on, won't mention it again.

... nice weather .. for this time of year ..

dealerdeal---------I can't access my selftrade A/c either bloody annoying, my halifax A/c is ok though.
2517

I agree, dealerdear. Selftrade have been poor this last week. Login page down & phones on permanent hold. Am going to set limit sells on my stocks over the weekend & see if they trigger early next week.
Am already a Barclays customer, so might see if they are a better bet.

Does anyone know if the short selling rules affect market makers? It might explain the large rise in the financials. Huge demand with market makers only able to match sells with available stock, rather than short selling and covering later.

Just a thought.

In my opinion.

Strawbs.

I've always stuck with a traditional broker with phone contact. It costs more but every few years with a week like this it pays for itself in one trade as you get your deal done.

greyhound do you have to pay a management fee for the service or is it just i higher fee for the trade