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

Absolutely H.

Where are you planning to go Stan?

Amar

Hiving read the FT from cover to cover, I get the feeling that the bears still have the advantage. However, the current bear market rally means that some of my stocks are in profit & the question is 'hold or sell'.
The article on page 23 is the best guide on what may now happen, imo, which, summarised reads "Investors are probably better assuming this is another bear market rally........given the improving backdrop Mr Garthwaite of Credit Suisse reckons the market could gain another 10% from here."
Of course this is just an opinion, but this guy should be well informed surely? After all, he works for a major international bank & Albert Edwards of Soc Generale agrees with him & he also works for an equally 'respected' bank! ;o)

May depend on isa take-up (hence the touting the bottom is ) and whether commods can sustain the rally,crude sitting at the top of channel. Dollar doesn't seem to be strengthening at the moment soI'm long ftse from Friday close may be just for the gap

why would $ strengthen, except arguably against ?

Risk aversion has seen the dollar strengthen in recent sell-off's. The aggressive QE may or may not have put a spanner in the works regarding this feature we shall see

was fully expecting london to open weaker and dow also to tick downwards once again, but pre-market indications are exactly the opposite

FTSE 3900 now hit ..... am inclined to short but shall watch and consider nefore acting

I think the US are due to unveil there latest bail out plan later which probably explains the bullish start. I don't think the markets have a good track record of responding favourably 'post event' though, but I guess it will depend on the substance of the latest plan.

In my opinion.

Strawbs.

actually agree with you, but there looks to be a heavy bear bear squeeze developing which can throw all sorts of things out of kilter for a while

I was a bit conservative with my limit which got hit far too early. Seems to be related to another US stimulus... buy on rumour/ sell on fact deal scenario possibly though I'm currently sidelined but surely worth a sell order at 4000, a big line in the sand

not sure we'll get that far on this present surge but we'll see ..... markets getting that dangerous feel of "kids in the sweetshop" - prices going up almost indiscriminately

Given we're close to the end of the tax year, I suspect a number of equities are rising because of short positions being covered. e.g. Taking the capital gain/allowance/profits etc. If correct (pure guesswork given the rises in an otherwise bleak backdrop) the moves could continue into the start of the new tax year.

In my opinion...

Strawbs.

Although a bit early to tell, DOW futures are currently +197. Might as well ride the wave, imo, so still holding my profitable stocks, but watching carefully.

but don't be afraid to bank at least some profits

You're right about the stimulus announced later today I think.
Last time the market crashed 22% after but as everybody is predicting the same this time, I'm not so sure. This rally may well continue IMO

My sell order at 4000 is on the cusp of being filled,already!

The question is when will bulls take profits?

Well,gone short ftse,dow,nikeii,got a bit impatient so under water already 805pm a good turning point perhaps.Will try and hold some at break even for the long term this time.Days like this sometimes provide turning points in the market (kangaroo's tail)etc unless they have re-inflated the bubble!

WOW! ...... went long Dow this evening, and of course totally lunatic .... have closed out with a very tasty profit and may go short o'night on the basis that rise is ridiculously overdone