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

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

Hi Cynic, not easy searching for positions at the moment.

http://rt16.it-finance.com/FinSpreadsFlash/showimage.phtml?id=731d39a61ff9bb4c9f20a814d322bf1ec227f03a94d5fb05d9a2d9880ee9697e&type=png

Rio Tinto, set for a long position, one to watch as expect will need to trade on a March 13 future. Technicals look good, fundamentals and economics are reason for the lag.

http://rt8.it-finance.com/FinSpreadsFlash/showimage.phtml?id=8b2eb9a8b071183e4fb8fc2caddf953d887f35516005c5723f4f5721de9f125a&type=png

Microsoft could well be about to break long term support. I suspect this will be my best short bet, windows 8, lost market share, the negatives stack up to support a short position. Interested to hear your thoughts peeps??

confess i haven't followed RIO for at least 2 years

as an overview, and as i have posted several times, chemical shipments are rising, a
and more importantly, the Baltic Dry Index has jumped 50%+ in the last couple of months, all of which indicate that we are indeed coming out of recession worldwide

it follows that broad-based mining stocks should benefit - but when?

I take it you have seen this Shortie :-

Steven Sinofsky: Windows division head leaves Microsoft

Steven Sinofsky, the head of Microsoft's Windows division, has left the company with immediate effect.

His departure comes just weeks after Microsoft launched Windows 8, the latest edition of its flagship product, seen as key to the firm's future.

Microsoft did not give any reason for Mr Sinofsky's departure.

However, industry watchers suggest that the real reason could be an internal "war" between him and chief executive Steve Ballmer.