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

explosive - I take your point about not using a stop/loss in volatile markets, but I can't stand starring at a screen too long, It's also no good for my nerves, so I like to use them and limit prices so I can do something else.

bhunt1910 - Sorry to hear about the missus, sounds scary

Each to their own Spitfire, when I play the equities I set stop losses so not as though I do it often. Just makes the point for any newbees reading the thread.

Does anyone also play the markets online at Ladbrokes, for large moves you can odds of 28/1 and the only risk is your stake. You can bet 5mins, 1hr or daily move. I've had some very good wins on Ladbrokes and have to date withdraw much more than I've ever paid in.

Slow night on Wall st, buy 12569 sold 12589 for 20 points, mind you 20 points in 15 minutes, moderate bet easily covers the weeks shopping. Looks to be pushing up considering open trade to 12270.

Wall st again back in 12559 buy, 12599 sell another 40 points since last post, moderate bet again..!!

Coming down again

Trying to break 12600 then to the next level

Just closed 3rd bet on Wall st buy 12615, 12600 broken fairly easily sell 12667 anoter 52 points, moderate bet again.

Looked like it was going for 126700 then fell to 12610 in final minutes.... What a night gland to be out, 3 solid gains so very happy...!!

after hours GOOG announced weak figures .... stock hammered by $41.00.
however, GOOG is Nasdaq and surely London must open strong in the morning ..... mustn't it??

well - I had a tentative punt on the FTSE this morning bought at +78 and sold @ +110. Then sold @ +102 and hoping it will drop back to +78.

So far so good but struggling with Stop Losses on City Index - how to update them after I have set them initially.

Is there a limit as to how many one can do ?f

Morning all..... Big swings on Wall St last night, today should be interesting expecting to see a rally from the start but saying that will have to keep a close eye on news. FTSE was just as volitile as Wall St on the spreads last night so not sure what will happen today 5900 hit many times and a fair price I think so unsure if it will push much further on.

Just In case not mentioned, It's not Farm payrolls from the US today..always good for a move one way or another. Be careful today.

Thank you Stan - as a novice - I think I will do dummy cfd's and see what might have happened.

Thanks again to those of you who take time out to provide advice and guidance.

Markets do appear to be bullish (tempoarily) and money coming back, but jobless data may put a spanner in the works later... I feel the markets have perhaps climbed a bit too fast and there is room for a breather, or pull back...

difficult calls at the moment ..... if trading, much as Mr Bolton may choose to despise such activity as a way of attempting to make money, then one needs to be very watchful and nimble

as i write, Dow indicators show +112 ..... it seems to me that is putting an awful lot of hope in the employment figures to be announced later today ..... i suppose the counter argument is that the horribleness is pretty much discounted as was already known by Fed when latest rate was made .... even so, we have seen as pretty dramatic recovery over the last few days and don't forget the w/e is ahead, so many positions are likely to be closed off tonight.

Thank you to whoever it was who suggested use of stop losses. Got stopped out of my sell on the FTSE with a small profit - which I would have missed as I was away from my desk when the index started to rise again.

Staying out now.

also stopped out a minute ago, shame, missed a profit earlier on, and only came down to make a cup of tea...!!!

i am now short Dow, with guaranteed stop in place ..... i have guaranteed it because, on announcement of the employment figures, the index could move 100+ points in a literal second, thus stopping one out much lower than intended