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

Strawbs .... if you want to be that much of a tart, one could say the same of any economic cycle

Looking at the charts (Page 1) this looks to be the downward leg of the 2nd bit of the W shaped bottom. DOW chart is a little easier to read than the FTSE. Current blip up is not consistent with the general down trend. No doubt others will disagree, but would be risky to go long on the indices, imo.

am glad to say that, though with difficulty, managed to sit on my hands today other than to top up on TLW.

where from here?
hard to say, but for sure we are not heading for the elysian fields and there will be plenty of shocks and horrors to come ..... if anyone watched Freefall last night, you will understand the meaning of being nimble

Didn't see it - had better things to do. But I gather it drew a good audience

I assume these are not the fields you are referring to: "In the event of the untimely and unfortunate demise of your companion pet, pony or horse, Elysian Fields Pet Crematorium can offer you a dignified and caring pet cremation service. ... www.elysianfields.co.uk" but these ones: "Elysian Fields were the final resting place of the blessed chosen by the gods"?
Not sure where this fits in to the great scheme of things in the investment field!!!

More likelythinking of this Harrycat:

http://www.elysianbrewing.com/Fields.html

once one is brain-dead, it's hard to say really

Hope you're not quite that yet - though you do seem to be a bit bored this evening! Praps you should get yourself off home early for a change!

off to hospital visit now

?? Are you feeling that bad?

I suppose I could be a Strawberry tart....

Not all recessions are the same, you have U shaped, V shaped, W shaped and probably a few other shaped ones too. My question was is it a U/V shaped one and the bounce is the start of a new bull phase, or a W shaped one and the bounce is just the middle of the W.... I remain in the later camp for now....

Strawbs.
Still trying to find a way out of the underworld.....

Apparently thee is also a Susan Boyle shaped recession if you follow Daily Mash

using 200 dma and 233dma on ftse the 200 crossed up through the 233 for the first time for a very longwhile. it happened only on friday,so i suppose this post is timely. can it hold? maybe we shall see some whipsaws? but can it hold? price itself this last week found support on Both of them, having penetrated and then rallied and recovered.thus proving their value in respect of support/ resistance. these two dma have not been so close since circa dec o7 or so, so please dyor. i am still net long but still long term bearish. still trying to adjust these bins of mine. many suggest we cant go up until we have re tested and confirmed the low, so maybe we cant go lower until we have retested and confirmed the high? as always just my opinion so please be sure to dyor and be carefull. many of the smaller bombed out stocks may/ will retrace 50% of their falls. by which time bullishness is likely to be at its all time high , with holders on profits not only being unwilling to take them,(since they are not real profits, but simply and in reality recovery of losses ) but actually adding more, such will be the conviction that the recession/ bear market is over.
Never Ever average Down. Only Ever average Up.
just my opinion as always dyor
regards
jkd
edit. to be more simplistic what i am suggesting is Doent add to Losers but by all means Add to winners.

Nicely over the 9000 level (9084 at time of posting). Strawbs, where are you? I feel the time is approaching! ;o)

To invest or run for cover? :-)

Still here. Still missing out on the ups.... and the downs....

Strawbs.

Don't let em rattle you S, stay firm we all know it's only a bear rally -):

Anyway look forward to seeing your band in London in early August -):

Dow drops 60, FTSE drops 15 or less.

Looking at the charts I think it's getting pretty close to "make or break" time for the bears and the bulls. I suspect there's plenty of money sitting on the sidelines at the moment wondering if this rally can be trusted (mine included). A good move up through resistance, and a hold above it, will probably bring new money in on the long side. I dare say a number of bears will give up their positions too, which might also help a rally higher. If the resistance holds, then perhaps we could see the reverse, with profit taking and new short positions driving the market down again.

It will be interesting to see who wins the battle.... Hopefully the markets will have a conclusive answer by the time I get back in August.....

In my (perhaps getting a little more bullish) opinion. ;-)

Strawbs.

DOW at a new high for 2009, let us hope it continues or at least holds this position.

Where are you going then Strawbs? Somewhere useful I hope. South America you could check to see how GOO are getting on, Falklands to see how DES & RKH are progressing, Middle East there are lots of Co's which need a bit of 'on the ground' research or if China, then a quick trip to SOLA would be much appreciated. Endless list, but not wishing to spoil your trip...............;o)