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

If the government go for tax cuts, I think people would just use any extra money to save or pay off debt. Shoppers know that 2009 will be very hard, and have already made up their minds about spending.

Tax cuts are just too much of a chance on how people would use the extra cash. If the Government needed to increase national debt still further why not spend extra money on infrastructure which would give a boast to some sectors short term, but also benefit the economy after recession.

depends on the form of any tax cut ..... as gov't would want to increase spending, a (temporary) cut in VAT as mooted is certainly not out of the question

Maybe. Once people go into their shell though they often take time to come out of it again. I think it's one of those genetic responses we all have. If you've been close to losing your home or your job, you probably won't be tempted to spend spare cash due to lower interest rates or tax cuts.

Encouraging people to spend more (probably on credit) is not a great idea, and 0% interest rates did nothing for a decade in Japan. Don't be surprised if we get there too, and suffer the same fate.

In my opinion.

Strawbs.

I keep hearing people say we are going to have a bear rally for a few weeks.

As I see it the problem is that compared to the last few weeks the FTSE is relatively high already and a rally from here is going to put us over the 5000 mark.

The pull back this afternoon doesn't surprise me and I'm sure a lot of people have been burnt by it.

Keep any eye on the DJ Futs gap at 8930. It's probably going to fill it and may find support.

Dealerdear ..................... you're right there!

I well and truly got roasted.

Cheers
Amar

Apologies!

I was tempted to buy but just wasn't convinced enough by the rally.

so BoE is forecast to make further rate cuts in the near(ish) future ...... oh goody goody, but pretty much a fat lot of good that is when the banks will still not lend to each other and 3-month Libor is still about 1.3% above base rate, instead of a historical +/-0.4%

We've had 3 bubbles this year(at least) gold+ other associated precious metals, oil, and now the US dollar. Bubbles near their popping point according to Kahn when they feature repeatedly in the front pages and become popular dinner conversation as Joe Bloggs starts to accept the premise. They always have a degree of logic and go well beyond any accepted rationale. The dollar seems to be off to the moon on the basis that it is the reserve currency of choice, interest rates can't be cut much lower, emerging market redemptions and probable significant fund speculation. We shall see. Some would argue that the US will come out of this mess before others and their leverage ratios were mildly more conservative than the 1:60 that some have created but there does seem to be a small question of massive cash injections epic trade deficits and possible de pegging. Never easy to call a top to the bubble but on the look out none the less! If it does reverse it could fire gold and oil off again!

Dow down heavily again (7975)...... could be heading for 7800, even tonight uinless there is a smart about turn

Could be heading down to a new lower trading range 688 S&p 1030 nasdaq mentioned in live oscar

Dow back up to 8143 and moving fast. But ftse held up well today when you look at the 5% drop in Dow and 6% drop in Nikki before the open.

Seems to have rallied off 8000

Probably the most ludicrous rally I have ever seen 1000 points in 2.5 hours ! Even the woke up from its Mervyn depression

So the forecast for the FTSE tomorrow is....?

re these huge rallies or falls - the only explanation I can come up with is that the computer trading programmes are just playing follow my leader

Stay away?, you must be joking MD. Have a look at trading ISF on the up and XUKS for the down..I'll leave the timing to you -):

stan , just been on the traders thread and seen one of the guys has had his biggest win ever so I have modified what I have said. It must be just me but these 100s of points moves in minutes just scares the hell out of me.

timing is always everything .....one could have easily lost money on Dow last night as made it

Maddoctor, that was me.