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

just noticed that Dow dumped to 7550, which was meant to be a support, and has certainly proved as much, at least pro tem

Affirmative though only trade it from close preferably 805pm though Dow seems to have rallied so probably won't bother, will see in 10 minutes

Went long DOW @ 19:10

silly times innit! ..... i went long Dow too in a modest way at 7559 but shall close that out in a mo for a very useful profit considering the outlay

and gold up but oil down - strange strange

Well I stood watching that rally into close like a lemon instead of trading it like you sensible folk,not much of an overnight gap now.The last hour reversal, that old chestnut! Personally feel it's only worth trading indices in first and last hour as they get too confusing in between! Might put a cheeky ftse long order in overnight at 3830

would be happier if FTSE had held 3900, but maybe worth a punt with some sort of stop

Oh bugger, forgot about summertime over the pond. Can't close my long

:O(

stinky digit (especially) ...... depending on one's mindset, it could be argued either that FTSE is consiolidating with a view to breaking firmly through the 3900 barrier and onwards and upwards, or that 3900 is proving too tough a hurdle and that FTSE will fall back below the support of 3750.

on the basis of the last couple of days, my inclination is towards the first scenario.

Pony.

def a good day at the races today!

FTSE really is underperforming at the moment relative to Dow ...... Dow is currently +150 at 7900 while FTSE is staggering along barely +20 on the close ..... if Dow stays strong through close, the odds are surely ever shortening on a stellar day for FTSE tomorrow.

as i am my own master for the evening, may have a dabble on the Dow and try not to lose money!

Youve been saying that now cyners for the last 4 days.

My feeling is that politics have taken over the agenda for the City and it looks like our Gordon is going to have a tough time next week with all the World leaders, plus lets not forget we start the US reporting season starting monday onwards so it could be bad tactics to be top heavy going into next week.

Im sure all the City wide boys are aware.

Daily bets in the morning chaps, dont get caught holding the baby going into next week and being the wrong side of the market.

Of course I speak with limited knowledge of indicies as i have previously declared, but Ive just got this feeling after the last few days....

Perhaps you should go long ftse/ short dow, cynic

i made enough for a decent dinner long dow last night, which i closed, and have stayed long ftse

Dinner with a suitable companion I hope

unsuitable would be more fun

not around too much today so have banked some prudent profits ...... it seems to me that even if the markets are generally continuing north for the moment, this has been such a strong week that a reaction is due, especially as it is friday and very close to both month and fiscal year end

money (profits) in the bank are never a bad thing, and it leaves me nicely liquid should the markets fall to leave some useful buying opportunities

Yes cyners, thats a politicians summing up of youve got it wrong directionaly in past few days and youve taken your dosh off the table because you now think we are heading down.

Nice one.

We all get it wrong you know.

Rock on pineapple bonce.

Dollar strengthening today look out bulls!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/recession/5062625/FTSE-100-and-Dow-Jones-predicted-to-tumble-28pc.html