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

cynic - below 13000 ? 13280 on the spreadbetters at present.

P'raps a tidge too much of the '96 plonk, cynic? ;)

cash indicator is currently 13289 ..... but its 250 or a bit below that that could prove a nasty trigger

there's prob quite a lot of money to be made in the markets at the mo, primarily on a short tack - e.g. NRK, AL. or even RTN and SOLA...... however it is still quite a brave call in that the markets can suddenly reverse.

in some ways, the indices are an easier call provided you can watch like a hawk

Dow trying very hard to hold 13250, so keep your fingers crossed .... have actually closed my short for a little profit

Missed the action today, played Golf in the sun.
I was waiting to short FTSE at 6340, but it never recovered to this before I went out.

BOE are due to report interest decision midday this Thursday, I saw an interveiw with chairman of ECB who said it was unlikely that they would cut rates, and most articles I have read seem to think the BOE won't cut either.

Thursday could be a very important day for financials with the RBS trading update due, anything worse than 2B write off's would have a very negative impact.

Dow is very quiet and dull, though in some ways that is no bad thing .... would have liked to see index finish above 13000 but i doubt that will come to pass .... just hope there is no last minute sell-off

Rate cut in Jan, me thinks, BOE doesn't want to encourage extra festive spending if they can help it... also should be a good time for a drop to support house prices as Christmas will be forgotten by then...

The FTSE seems to more optimistic of an interest cut tomorrow, hoping that the pmi service sector news due today will be weak putting more pressure on BOE to cut. Two former members of BOE are also urging for a cut. I still can't see them cutting the rate yet.

In the mean time what to do today, will check the charts again. Tempted to go long on any dips.

BOE should try to get ahead of the game like the FED. Big problems looming with the housing market slow down. Inflationary pressures will ease as the economy slows. Interest cut of .25pct would not make any difference to Christmas shoppers intentions.

My bet would be no change to BoE rate.
DOW futures currently +64 so trading today looks encouraging, but may see a sell off before tomorrow's announcement, imo.

Global Insight says BOE rate cut likely following housing figures and PMI decline.

I'm in long at 6388 a little rash but I will give it a go.

Agree the BOE should cut rates ahead of the game, but I still can't see them doing the right thing.

stopped out at 6393, for 5 point's at least it's a profit. Moved stop/loss up to close. Try again later.

am currently long Dow at 13320 and more at 13368 .... shall watch carefully

sold 50% at 13425

Good call Cynic

Missed out today on very large rally, thought the FTSE would go up but not by that much. I was a bit tentative today, still learning and there is always tomorrow.

Any thought's about trading tomorrow.

just been stoopde out of the other 50% at 13415 .... do i care? ..... not a bit .... may have a further little dabble around 20:00

tomorrow? ..... no idea at all; i don't even know if Dow will finish above 13400 tonight

The following tomorrow:

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS
Royal Bank of Scotland Group

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
BoE Interest Rate Decision (12:00)
Industrial Production (09:30)
Manufacturing Production (09:30)

FTSE direction will be dependent on these, imo.

did in fact "have a little dabble" later on; sold some just after official Dow close and have just sold balance all at some profit ..... i really really do not trust these markets and as a precaution have also sold some IEC and PMO to bring those back into line rather than being heavily o'weight ..... when US opens may also sell my holding in Google which has produced an acceptable profit in the few days i have held.

i still think Google is an ace investment, but i foresee Dow (and Nasdaq in its wake)taking a battering following Fed announcement on 11th(?) even if rates are cut 0.5% .... the market has already discounted this