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

Some crazy yields on offer - AV touched 8% earlier.

comeback to 5012.. no drama..silence before storm or storm is over..

The thing I'm convinced of listening to Bloomberg and CNBC is nobody really knows why this is happening now.

To say economies are in a mess, well we've known that for a long time. Yesterday there was a story that a Euro bank had had an emergency loan; or is it forced selling; is it just fear we're going back into a recession?

Lots of questions but no answers. It is a little strange that all politicans seem to have disappeared from the planet during it.

witching!

Are we there yet.

Divergence on most (if not all) indicators on the DJI seems to indicate we may have a lot further to fall, lows of last year perhaps (9900 or even 9500) gulp :O

Futures currently 60 above the lows - which I know, means sod all!

Indicies are following two weeks ago bad Thurs/Fri/Mon looks like 1620 hrs Monday is the best time to buy.

Gold near highs at $1673.

Well most of the crappiest economics data does seem to come out on a Thursday or Friday!

I don't think there is any more of note (economically) today?

Just the witching to come in the states.

Are the like the KKK

.

Bernard - Options Expiry dates.

Looks like we could be in for another pounding then at 14.30

Have a look at Harry's post 6485.

DOW futures currently about -157.

clues in divergence,volume will save us.bungee rope effect.the last 8 quarters analysts underestimate earnings est. avg 5 % consistently, in 2008 last 6 quarters overestimate avg by 31%.

"I don't think there is any more of note (economically) today?

Just the witching to come in the states."

Probably just as well. The Philly Fed manufacturing figures yesterday were very bad.

That was the big sell at 3 when I closed my short. As I said, that must have taken out a good few stops. I'm less sure today - futures only -100 atm so probably a day to be long :-))