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

I think the markets were also concerned last night about the result from UPS, which paint a rather gloomy outlook. The likes of UPS and FedEx are reckoned to give a pretty good indication of what is happening in business generally.

And then of course there's the continuing Europe Saga...

As for my gardening attire - I won't be needing too much of that, if the sun keeps shining!

you must show us all now that you have managed to abandon the galoshes at least

This may cheer the markets:

"European Central Bank Governing Council member Ewald Nowotny said there are arguments for giving Europe's permanent rescue fund a banking licence."

Nowotny heads Austria's central bank - we Austrians have some sense!

German Ifo Business Climate 103.3 consensus 104.8 previous 105.3

GBP Prelim GDP q/q -0.7% consensus -0.2% previous -0.3%

US new-home sales fall 8.4%

one way or another, considering TLW took and even worse and unwarranted pasting than AAPL, it wasn't too bad a day

cynic - hopefully AAPL fall a bit overdone? (off the lows atm @579).

Not sure what caused that spike.




Maybe mario has saved the day!

Spain not mulling seeking further EU help: sources

MADRID | Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:20am BST
(Reuters) - Spain is not considering seeking immediate help from the European Union to ease its spiralling borrowing costs, two Spanish sources said on Thursday, although the euro zone is eyeing possible action for later this year.

Weak lending adds pressure for ECB action

FRANKFURT | Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:53am BST
(Reuters) - Lending to euro zone firms and consumers fell in June, feeding fears the bloc is set to return to recession and adding to the European Central Bank's list of concerns as it mulls its options to get the ailing economy back on track.

i see FB has been absolutely slammed on its results ..... dropped 8.5% during hours and a further 9.5% after hours with the numbers

Maybe a bit of an overreaction though Mr, C?
Facebook Inc. (FB), reporting its first results since selling shares to the public, posted a narrower profit margin as sales and marketing costs surged -- a sign that the company is chasing growth through higher spending.

Facebook Inc. reported a net loss of $157 million, or 8 cents per share. Facebook rose to as high as $29.02 in late trading after the results were reported.

Operating margin, excluding certain costs, was 43 percent in the second quarter, a decline from 53 percent a year earlier. Second-quarter revenue rose to $1.18 billion, Menlo Park, California-based Facebook said in a statement today. That compares with an average estimate of $1.16 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Profit excluding certain costs was 12 cents a share. Shares slid in late trading.

it's friday lest you hadn't noticed, and strange things can happen over the pond ...... watch very closely for 13005 being breached with impetus ..... if it is, then look to buy dow

So 13,000 then?

you may notice that it keeps stalling at that point .... stay patient but watchful

Facebook taking another bashing - currently down 12.3%.

I've left a cheeky DOW short in @13075.

Skinny, all it will take is one word from the Fed. :>)
I am hoping that it never comes as I'm short the FTSE from 5630, and my Aug entry for the ftse comp is 4812!

i think a short may prove expensive

It will not be expensive whatever the outcome with sensible stops I'm pleased to say.