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

The next British government must take early measures to reduce the countrys huge deficit and stabilise debt, the European Commission warned today.

Why do the words pot, kettle and black spring to mind?

Ah yes, Dr Euro. Physician, heal thyself!

"Was that the answer you wanted?"

Indeed. When I saw those pictures from Athens last night I wondered whether that was a nation I'd lend my money to - but on the other hand, if it were not actually my money, but that of the people I work for, I probably would!

TP

5300....would you believe it ?.....it takes months to climb up and then over a cliff we go....there will not be any posssibility of keeping shares for any length of time if this trend of slowly rising followed by diabolical sudden drops continues....I will be changing my trading tactics from now on...it will take some time, but I will have to do it....

Why change now? If most of the worst is over, then the climb out of recession should be nice & gradual from now on. Two steps forward for one step back. Any stocks which you own should start paying a dividend (depending on company) & growth figures will start to improve.

I'm thinking along the lines of just keeping no more than half a dozen stocks and disposing of them easily as soon as the slightest incline towards a drop of any kind.....I have too much of a variation of shares at the moment : this is alright on the way up...but as these severe pullbacks now occur on a regular trend, 2 or 3 times a year, I'm thinking of a reduced quota.....more easily disposed of....

ftse
5400 was the target just a few days ago ..... it didn't touch the sides as it dropped through that


dow
initial target remains 10780, and that is only 70/80 points lower


on balance, i guess (hope!) we have pretty much seen the sharp but long overdue correction
whether the next move up will just be DCB or something more sustainable is, i fear, very much 50/50

required field - Bit dramatic mate! :o)

I'm surprised gold does'nt seem to be in demand.. everything seems to have headed south.

Edit - That remark was directed to your first post. 5185 is that not the norm?

Yep, I am with you on that one rf. I currently have 29 stocks - too many (Split 50/50 trade & hold), but I have to make notes to remind myself why I bought them & what my target is. However I see no point in taking any losses at the moment as most of them will come back to profit, I think! Makes it all very frustrating & exciting at times.

Lets not forget, we have had a spectacular rise.

.....With another lofty spike coming when the Tories get in!!!! ;o)

If....... crumbs....I'm going to have to wake myself up in the middle of the night to look at the results......

I wouldn't even bother going to bed!

Markets for UK futures and gilts will open at 1am London time on May 7 as the general election is decided.


A note from the New York Stock Exchange London International Financial Futures and options Exchange has revealed that markets for three-month short Sterling futures, short, medium and long gilt futures and also FTSE 100 index futures contracts will be available for trading at 1:00am GMT on May 7, six hours earlier than usual.

EMU - stronger $ = weaker bullion

Traders paradise, if like me rf shit at it, take a sleeping pill :o))

i have gone modestly long ftse at 5339 but shall consider taking profit at 5400 and shall almost certainly do so at 5435

Gold price zooming!

gosh, so it is ..... i wonder what brought that on? ..... further uncertainty about eurozone? ..... unlikely, or it would have happened a few days ago