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

Lots of questions, guys, but definitive answers would be appreciated before I invest!

definitive like what? ..... no guarantees in this game, that's for sure

Definitive like: 'Yes, it's a dcb, so wait' or 'Yes, the gains can be held, so pile in now'. Stuff like that! ;o)

oh that's really definitive and def from God's mouth!
the brave man would have bought Dow or even FTSE last night when levels were "definitively" on the support levels - but i for one sure wasn't brave enough

So what sort of consultancy fee were you thinking of paying HC for such valuable guesses.. opps I mean answers? -):

000's and 000's!

LOL!!!!! Perhaps a few of my GOO or VOG shares as payment would be appreciated!

you want MONEY for those??????

Sorry HC, cash is king.

Technically you should be most highly leveraged in bullish/bearish mode at key support resistance levels especially when hit the first time. They are good to lean against however counterintuitive that seems with the false breakouts testing stops, meaning stops need to be a bit further than the norm

Most miners now turned negative again after a strong start. DCB looks to be correct.

Stopped watching at noon.....came back now and it's a right how do you do : -71 points.....can't take anything for granted in this market.

.. and if you refer to the AFR thread, that is precisely my point.

Well that's the 'crucial' point (5175) breeched.
2517

Down 115 points on the DOW, so far.
Not good for the 'morrow.

"Not good for the 'morrow." generally no, but there could be some exceptions.

some much needed cheering economic news from US just out

The U.S. economy grew at 5.7% annual rate in the fourth quarter of 2009 -- fastest pace of increase in more than six years.

Good news though may mean less stimulus/liquidity and more imminent interest rate rises, or so the market seems to perceive it when it takes it's fancy.

Dollar Index at it's highest since last August, if it continues is this good news for stocks in view of what happened in November? Be interesting Indices don't seem to concerned at the moment.

I read the other day that a key pivot point for the FTSE was 5190. Should it finish below that level, further downside was expected.
Are you still in touch with your Guru, Cynic, to confirm or deny that?