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 felt the same and did the same as you think now a couple of years back and have never regretted that decision.

I accept not being able to get prices in these mkts for the first couple of mins but not for a system to crash for most of the day.

I figure most of these wild moves are just more market manipulation. The same manipulation market makers have always used to move prices around when they want to encourage buyers or sellers. As usual the private investor finds it impossible to take part in these moves, either because of slow systems, lack of transparency or access. Maybe the FSA should look at leveling the playing field next.

In my opinion.

Strawbs.

Not if you give it time DFBPBJ and persevere.

Strawbs,
I view this as a time to get any "profitable" positions sold. and nothing else as I believe we are heading further down.

Same problems on TDW trading platform, unable to trade live but it is accepting limit orders.

Thats how I got out S43.

ED: Sorry DFBPBJ I should have said in my post to you that I managed to get out via a limit Order.. i'm using them for a lot of my trades these days.

Unfortunately you can't even get into your account on selftrade and the phones are down so we're doomed. Sorry to carry on, won't mention it again.

... nice weather .. for this time of year ..

dealerdeal---------I can't access my selftrade A/c either bloody annoying, my halifax A/c is ok though.
2517

I agree, dealerdear. Selftrade have been poor this last week. Login page down & phones on permanent hold. Am going to set limit sells on my stocks over the weekend & see if they trigger early next week.
Am already a Barclays customer, so might see if they are a better bet.

Does anyone know if the short selling rules affect market makers? It might explain the large rise in the financials. Huge demand with market makers only able to match sells with available stock, rather than short selling and covering later.

Just a thought.

In my opinion.

Strawbs.

I've always stuck with a traditional broker with phone contact. It costs more but every few years with a week like this it pays for itself in one trade as you get your deal done.

greyhound do you have to pay a management fee for the service or is it just i higher fee for the trade

i pay a management fee for my isa portfolio then plus the usual fees. I don't pay a fee for my non-isa holdings (at least I think I don't) but fees to hold in nominee account. I learnt my lesson late 80's/90's because with this volatility online trades get pulled first and you can't deal the volume you want. Something to bear in mind for the future.

That arguement works both ways though, Greyhound. Having an online broker works for most of the year & only costs 12.50 per trade regardless of the quantity. High street brokers charge a %age commission, which is unacceptable for the frequent trader. Yes, we are suffering at the moment, but over a period of time our charges work out less than using the high street.
Selftrade now working, albeit grindingly slow!

is anyone considering shorting the FTSE ? . It seems to me at its high but with the option expiry its a hard call. I think I will have small punt with a tightstop and lump on when it closezs for monday

Can you still short the FTSE? Surely it contains financials, so how does that work?

Strawbs.

sell on IG . I don't think it applies to spread betting

Oh. OK. Maybe the indexes are done differently.

Strawbs.