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

Looks like China & Eire are the flies in the ointment:
Bloomberg - "Global stocks fell for a seventh day, the longest streak since January, and commodities slid on concern China will act to slow its economy and speculation grew that the debt crisis in Ireland, Greece and Portugal is worsening. U.S. Treasuries trimmed an earlier rally."

i keep trying to spread my portfolio into other sectors than commodities but really struggle ..... i like AIE (tuck away), WPP and CRDA, and perhaps UBM and just maybe MCRO are worth a dabble

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Engineering firms doing well at this part of the cycle, IMI, GKN, FENR etc. Am staying out of the major miners now, though potash & potassium look to be a growing sector.
Would expect retail to have a reasonable Xmas, so temporary good figures, but a thin Jan/Feb.
Looking at commercial property to become a winner next spring, but housing in the doldrums 'til late 2011.

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retail gives me the heeby-jeebies and i avoid or go short ASC (which just costs me money!)

as does this poxy system that has started to double and triple post again!

I think it might be your mouse, cynic. Try altering the click rate in 'Control Panel'.

I think I am right in saying that the utilities are going to see some action next year as investors seek income as inflation takes hold. Not a very exciting sector, but divi yield attractive.

only happens from time to time

Bit like sex then..........3 times a bit excessive though!!!

not for you .... you're still a whippersnapper!

Dow having a very nasty time - currently down 146 - but no real fret unless 10750 is broken

Silently kicking myself in frustration, long dow from 11072 and closed shortly thereafter. Seem to be suffering from closing far too early at the moment. Entry positions on most of my SB trades have been excellent but not maximising profits. Getting pissed off with it. Even more annoying as I've been watching the DOW very, very closely for weeks now and I seem to have developed some rules for entry, which thus far have proven pretty good (even if i do say so myself!).

i made a couple of shekels a few days ago when Dow was doing silly things, but i'm not sure if i am brave enough to go long again, even though Dow is now -180 at about 11000 ..... things are not feeling comfortable, notwithstanding last night's good rally off the bottom

It seems the macro environment is looking shaky rather than the home front. Eire, Portugal, Spain, China & Korea all weighing heavily on sentiment. But, as you have said before, it (market) can't continue going up forever.

I hope things calm down in Korea....what does worry me is that China will do something without warning......I expect them to take out the ruling class in North Korea ......or to invade without warning...might not happen tomorrow...but in a few months time......and frankly the North Koreans only have themselves to blame.....

Well, that's your card marked, rf! I am sure Kim Jong-il will be contemplating his next move after reading that! ;o)

Oh well...back to defending the Falklands then I suppose !......

The SM looks horrid to me and if that is a reflection of the economy or North/South Korea political situation, then god help us.