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

Ends at 12272, well thats only a small loss, sell off coming so would rather a rebound at close than with hours to go. See what tomorrow brings, 12200 down side test several times today so expecting lower....

Possibly a little bit of a respite next week, as I can see no release of any critical data from the U.S., except for final results from Coca-Cola & IBM on thurs.
Sorry to see you shorters taking a bit of a hammering, but for us equity holders next week may see some blue for a change.

DOW bounced off one of my support lines today, right on the button. Haven't been trading it but I rather expect more upside than down in the near future. Having said that the DOW is difficult to predict and often best to trade what you see rather than what you think.

Morning all

ftse seems stuck at about 5791 + 67, it's a hard call today from here. Would say ftse will mostly be in positive area today, wanting to regain yesterdays loss, DOW was slightly up last night supported by bargain hunters. Might see the same here this morning.

Too hard to call - so sidelined for now.

Closed my position on Wall St. before markets opened... Got caught on the upswing last night however broke even closing before markets opened....

Slow tonight...

My start to CFD trading has been predictably negative, so switched to writing down decisions in a book since last night, only placing small risks per point but have had 6 successful trades to one where i was stopped out, currently 446 up and with a long running on dow at 12120, prob close out in a second as around 50 points up as i type... and all on paper... sheeesh...!!!

I should point out, i'm not generally long of the market, quite the opposite, however, i dont see 12100 being broken downwards without some bad news or report, therefore while negative sentiment is pushing the market down, i still feel it will try to head back to where it started the day...

Can't win them all BigTed and looks like you've been very unlucky. Won't post my wins to losses over past week but am happy.. Interestingly you now talk about 12100, does this mean support at 12200 has been broken? If so was 12200 a support line or just somewhere the sp stalled..??

I was going on what i read, although the bounce back after going through 12200 apparently redefines the triangle, not sure which one, Bermuda, possibly?! Am told to watch 12100 down short term and 12400 up... Obviously i'm finding it hard to sit on my hands, (for one they are quite big) but it is like a kid with a new toy...!!!

I know the feeling but patience and picking your moment is the most profitable way.... I've spent hows waiting for my price only to find the stock markets closed and I've missed it in the morning.... I've wasted entire days waiting with nothing to show but red eyes, back ache and being bloody miserable... Your time will come as long as your patient... Careful what you read also, everyone seams to have an opion but very few can back up their written jumble with evidence of sucess...

What made you choose a CFD account over a Spread Betting one?

I will be totally honest, no reason at all, couldn't even tell you how spread betting works... lol

Main difference I've always thought is CFD's are contractual investments so profit liable for tax. Spread Betting however isn't considered an investment but a bet and so along with the local bookies not liable for tax... They both work pretty much the same so I gather, choose your stake, fund your margin then buy or sell. If your buying and share price goes up you earn your stake for every point made untill position closed. If it goes against you owe that amount. I assume a CFD account works in the same way?

Indeed it does, and just closed position for 12211 (on paper), now i'm really hacked off!!! but learning loads all the time, to be fair its easier to see the bigger picture when on paper, when position is open i find your more likely to take a smaller profit, so it at least is teaching me to remain calm and keep remembering why i opened the position in the first place... looks like my prediction is coming true, Hindsight means nothing in this game, foresight is everything...

Just sold 12210 and bought 12180 for 30 points. Keeps pushing up out of range and falling back quite quickly..

good choice...

3:30 pm : According to the volatility index, VIX, market volatility has moved sharply higher this week. The VIX is up more than 18.0% since last Friday.

The stock market remains in negative territory, though off session lows. The Nasdaq is residing along the unchanged mark.

Stocks have had a challenging week, pulled lower by the financial sector, which has lost some 9.0%. All ten economic sectors are on pace to finish the week in negative territory.

As we knew a shorters market, high volitility so not looking to change in the near future.

Have a good weekend bloke..:)

First week spread betting over and i took a hammeing on the dow. Stayed up until 5am Friday morning to close out at only a low 3 figure loss. Will stick to playing in my own time zone and play hong kong amd FTSE. Its impossible to second guess these markets. Best to do your research in the morning a trade with the momentum. Taking positions pre market is a mugs game.