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

I think markets are rapidly becoming more for traders than long term investors these days (instead of the other way round). With such little confidence the temptation to book profits early, even for the bigger maket players must be greater these days.

Question is, do we test the lows before the new president takes over, then get an oversold new president welcoming bounce? Seems like a lot of points to drop in 3 days (I think Obhama takes over on Tuesday)......

Strawbs.

a good profitable week for those of us who are predominantly short ..... am inclined to buy DOW but am undecided as shall be flying for next 12 hours or so ..... shall sure miss that warm sunshine in Santiago (as well as some very pretty girls - lol!)

Can anyone explain why mar contracts for oil went up 20% this evening?

Texas crude that is

Steveo - prob cos Feb futures (Jan15) just expired

DOW futures currently +146. Will be interesting to see if this little rally runs out of steam by the end of the day.

The law of averages says probably not based on the fact that before yesterday, the DOW has dropped 7 sessions in a row and even yesterday only went up 20 odd points. I feel it could now be very volatile and ultimately may depend on the Government who are meeting this weekend to try to sort the UK banking mess. An announcement is expected next week sometime.

It's bouncing off 8370 resistance at moment, make or break?

It's Friday, yanks always like to finish off on a high.

where have you been for the last several months?
if you look back, you'll see exactly the opposite, though in this instance i too would expect Dow to finish up as even in a bear market there are plus days

Last several months? Can't remember, it's a bit of a daze, man.

can't remember yesterday ...

I guess I must have lost money though ..

Jeez, I'm relying on you airheads for 'in depth' comments & tips. Don't make me bite the bullet and defect to the other side!!! ;o)

Am I right in saying it's US holiday Monday?

so it is

Martin Luther King Day.

no holiday in southern states then!

DOW finished 8281 (+68) which is positive territory.
However sub the 8370 level, so where to now please Mr. Falcothou? I believe 8000 was your next support level??? Sub 8000 is then......?

http://www.signalwatch.com/markets/markets-dow.asp
These guys seem slightly bullish, however public holiday Monday, anniversary of Kermit Kerviel's antics that shed nearly 1000 points off FTSE so who knows. Seems to be a lot of twitchiness about credit cards, worth keeping an eye on dollar and yen as when they strengthen the market gets ready to tank and vice versa. Vix is about 45, volume has picked up so the big boys are back. Interesting headline on breaking views yesterday re. shorting ban having no detrimental effect on bank stocks, they had been trickling up until that point, before a herculean sell off at close. Interesting to see what happens to the re-birth of Lloy on monday di-worsification at it's best

a lot depends on the perception and ultimate actuality of this "toxic bank" dumping ground ...... the key, i think, is whether it will truly free up funds to be lent to house buyers on either/both siders of atlantic ..... at the moment, house sales are being crucified by the refusal of banks to lend rather than there being no demand.

though this "toxic bank" may be "bad" for the banks, i don't believe the general public will give a toss, and i am damned if i have a clue what the effect is on us all by having to notionally stump up 33k each for this treat.