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 don't disagree with the sentiment, but the actual or perceived implications for eurozone are much more serious .... that is primarily why (a) angela merkel told everyone that she saw no reason why germany should support greece's "lovely lifestyle" - for sure electioneering in there too and (b) why the other less insolvent eurozone countries will not allow greece to fold - not sure how a country actually does that, but i dare say iceland could advise!

banks only make provisions when default occurs and not necessarily the outstanding amount immediately.

Best thing imo is for Greece to have to fend for itself, if they are seen to be bailed out by stronger countries the other 'PIGS' will expect similar treatment, and therefore not impose austerity measures on their people, which is really what is needed. The UK faces similar measures because the Government is not prepared to cut our deficit yet, (election coming) but look out after the election.
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there are many ways to "skin a pig", we don't think the average guy in the street cares less about the pigs, unless of course they are partial to sausages.

George - that was exactly the essence of angela merkel's comment ..... she said, rightly in my opinion, that greece should be seen to be taking strong action to reduce its deficit significantly before any eurozone money should be pushed its way to help the process.

ireland has apparently taken such action, though it is not a story i have followed

One argument, therefore, in favour of a federal europe. One currency & one central government. Not in my lifetime, probably, but eventually, imo.

i don't see that that is an argument in favour, and certainly not a union of which i would want to be part

If national boundaries were dropped, there would not be a 'them' & 'us' approach (we are a well managed German entity, you are a corrupt, poorly managed greek entity). All decisions would be for the good of all & the more affluent states would assist the less affluent. Currently, disparate, unilateral governments are trying to look after themselves whilst sharing a common currency. Never going to work, imo.
As for a Federal Europe, like all change, it has to be slow & steady, but new generations will slowly forget the 'old' national boundary system whilst Bruxelles & the march relentlessly on!

how sweet! ..... do you really think it would work like that? .... it's bad enough being told by those obscenely greedy freeloaders in brussels what we should or should not do without handing over our entire freedom of thought

HARRY, would i hate to see that,,,a federal Europe dont like it as it is without going any further ,wish we could turn the clocks back..

Cynic, it's not a question of being 'sweet'. You are either in Europe or out. You can't be only a bit in Europe, otherwise the whole single market concept is unworkable.
Those people now being born who have never known the Franc, Lire, Peseta etc will just take the Euro for granted. I believe it's called progress.
As for freeloaders, we only need to look in our own backyard for them! (As the MP's Expenses thread demonstrates.)

Turnover seems pathetic today.
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harry .... matter of opinion ..... i see your progress as regress and for sure, even looking back 20 years, a good friend of mine laughed all the way to the bank when he got "employed" by EU Commission .... UK MPs misdemeanours are chickenfeed compared to those european hogs swilling in the trough

looks like a cracking start tomorrow for london .... dow closes +169

Looks good & hoping for the miners to have another blue day.
However, worth watching the U.S. as Forty-five companies in the benchmark gauge (S & P 500) for U.S. stocks are scheduled to release results this week, including Hewlett- Packard Co. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

we seem to be approaching a somewhat congested area and rather rapidly. I wonder whether this rally will hold.....

Splat - nicer with some coloured lines :-)

so it is :-)

short UKX @ 3500

I hope not :-)))