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

It's dropping like a lead balloon - glad I went short earlier form 12780

Ah right - forgot Bernanke was giving a speech again this evening (our time) - hence the sudden drop of the over the cliff, as he was talking about The Cliff

From Reuters:
'Bernanke, in comments before the Economic Club of New York, said the Fed does not have the tools to offset the damage that would result if politicians fail to strike a deal to prevent going off the fiscal cliff... Bernanke said he does not believe the possible benefits of cutting the interest it pays on bank reserves are sufficient to outweigh the risk of trouble in money markets.'

"In the short run, we're hostage to the fiscal cliff. I think (Bernanke's) got to be really, really fearful that Washington doesn't get its act together and that creates stresses on the financial system," said Dan Veru, chief investment officer of Palisade Capital Management in Fort Lee, New Jersey.'

it's only a very modest position ... in any case, it's even shorter odds that fogl finding any hydrocarbons in loligo that the amis will cobble together a budget deal, even if at the 11th hour

That's all right then - you can go back to enjoying your wine :)

too late - i've finished it

Plenty more where that one came from!

It looks like the DOW is heading for a positive finish now Cynic - so you'll be in profit again in any case

GBP Public Sector Net Borrowing 6.5B consensus 4.1B previous 9.9B

USD Unemployment Claims 410k consensus 415K previous 439K

USD Flash Manufacturing PMI 52.4 consensus 51.2 previous 51.0

USD Revised UoM Consumer Sentiment 82.7 consensus 84.3 previous 84.9

Quiet here today, Skinny.

It certainly is.

Slow markets, the Yen currently has my attention.

The world grinds to a halt when the US goes on holiday: Thanksgiving tomorrow

Yes and shortened trading day on Friday.

I'd have got it all wrong today if I'd been trading - wouldn't have expected the FTSE to climb to current level today

I was tempted to short HP earlier, but it now appears to be rising.

Any views on the DOW, RSI ticking up.