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

cynic you may have to replace your burnt shorts!

maybe .... it's not huge exposure and shall leave it for now

Just for a change the FTSE is under performing the DOW - particularly since November.

having broken 13125 with some impetus, dow is now likely to keep going north, but a bit early to bet yet - i think .... anyway, my shorts are closed out for no enormous damage, and easily offset by my other long positions

Just had a small short @13,140.

GB Claimant Count Change 7.2k v consensus 6.5K previous 6.9K


GB Unemployment Rate 8.4% v consensus 8.4% previous 8.4%

JP Morgan thumb their nose at the Fed about time our banks did the same to the BOE/FSA.

Short Dow @ 13,218

Approaching the end of the tax year and also the spring/summer lull. Tempted to reduce my portfolio and try and pick up some bargains in July/aug. I see cash ISA interest rates are improving very slightly, though barely keeping pace with inflation!

APPLE
i would start a thread for this absolutely cracking stock, but unfortunately the price cannot be followed on MAM.
3 good broker upgrades today and sp has reacted strongly
if you have IG's L2 platform then assuredly you can follow AAPL, and i'm sure that would be so elsewhere.

US Unemployment Claims 351K v consensus 357K previous 362K

Wow. no stop to the rise then?

.

we have not broken up yet.

skinny - US Unemployment Claims 351K v consensus 357K previous 362K

It's continuing claims I'm wondering about; how many people have used up their unemployment fund and can't continue to claim?

Cheers,
KidA

GBP Public Sector Net Borrowing 12.9B v consensus 5.2B previous -10.7B

Fortunately my house is worth less than £2m, I don't smoke and am not yet drawing my pension! It seems I can continue to drink, have children and earn my first £9205 tax free, but of course, should I die, HMRC will still tax my assets on which I have already paid tax! Possibly not worth getting rich or old at present........or dying!!!

Ah, apparently booze duty has gone up, so that's off the menu!

Important point is that the weather improving, population is increasing around the world so demand is increasing, and companies are making money like never before.

The move by all governments is positive for companies, so they benefit the most.

ignoring the fluctuations is the best option.

USD Unemployment Claims 348K v consensus 353K previous 353K