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

Toya - we skate on the surface of a very deep pool of data!

I can hear a pint calling me :-)

Yeah - like skating on thin ice!

i too have switched and switched about with both dow and aapl ...... now fingers x-ed, but i would not be at all surprised to see a very strong finish tonight as short positions are closed ahead of w/e

Obama speaks shortly.

probably quite well, though it's neither here nor there ..... the big bore (sorry; test) will be when it comes to the so-called fiscal cliff, with the self-serving congressmen just trying to score vituperative political points instead of working pro publico bono

Well, whatever it was he said, he seems to have upset a few people! Good job I was sitting by my screen!

he certainly doesn't seem to have impressed the market, that's for sure ....... out of aapl with a tiny profit, but guess i'll stay long dow for now

I've went short DOW at 12845 - and have closed it now, so I can get in the kitchen...

well that was a nice little profit anyway ...... currently in h'gate visiting a+e(lol) and latest arrival, though i'm not much one for babies i must confess

I take it the speech went well (not) then!

Obama to join "fiscal cliff" battle as showdown looms

WASHINGTON | Fri Nov 9, 2012 6:28pm GMT

(Reuters) - President Barack Obama will join the battle over the U.S. "fiscal cliff" on Friday for the first time since voters gave him a second term, setting the stage for a showdown with congressional Republicans over sharp tax hikes and spending cuts slated to take effect early next year.

Obama is to make a statement from the East Room of the White House at 1:05 p.m. EST (1805 GMT). His opening move in what is expected to be a tense negotiation to avert the so-called "fiscal cliff" was telegraphed Thursday by a top adviser, David Plouffe, who claimed a mandate from Tuesday's election victory to raise taxes on the wealthy.

Had me worried there for a moment cynic - thought you were in A&E and was impressed you were still trading! Enjoy being kept awake by your grandchildren :)

not that dumb! ..... staying elsewhere

congrats cyners.....more pressie's to buy at xmas.,.

thanks m8, but don't tell the press that it was anything to do with me

GBP CPI y/y 2.7% consensus 2.3% previous 2.2%

GBP PPI Input m/m 0.4% consensus -0.4% previous -0.2%

GBP RPI y/y 3.2% consensus 2.9% previous 2.6%

EUR German ZEW Economic Sentiment -15.7 consensus -9.9 previous -11.5

EUR ZEW Economic Sentiment -2.6 consensus 0.2 previous -1.4

Apple support confirmed... Narrow range so awaiting a breakout

http://rt8.it-finance.com/FinSpreadsFlash/showimage.phtml?id=78744c23f7fe3bb4ac109a104bdfdf5459ebb1e69657dcfeb42741d2a967788f&type=png

http://rt16.it-finance.com/FinSpreadsFlash/showimage.phtml?id=ab3387af723cac2813fb07adc1909f6c3651fa7caa95176dceced889abc666be&type=png

http://rt16.it-finance.com/FinSpreadsFlash/showimage.phtml?id=3779966d54c661cf7ebbe0c5676077784b8b0d538f136a0bd32762a78f3fcf52&type=png

Wall St support also holding, awaiting a breakout

concur with both the above shortie ..... am more optimistic about dow having a little rush of blood to the head

http://rt8.it-finance.com/FinSpreadsFlash/showimage.phtml?id=99b8d977976159d47c546b1b726b1d298690dc0f444fa0a9c5e5804247d6772a&type=png

FTSE100 maybe worth a short also if Wall St support breaks