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

ftes - me too but in a couple of points higher and very modestly ..... hoping for a decent bounce on dow this afternoon; it certainly wouldn't go amiss having rather screwed up there for the last couple of days

I think you need a 3D printing thread Skinny, I'm on the fence, can't see this will ever be mass market or if theres really a place for it other than as a DIYers novelty..

i think you're wrong shortie ..... i'm sure i read only yesterday that these printers are already available <$1,000

certainly Number2 Son who works for a certain very large organisation rates them as very important

I'm sure they will find a place within the market, maybe as a cheaper alternative to CNC or something, I'm just not convinced they'll find there way into homes other than the hobbiest or serious DIY'er... As earnings expectations already point to these machines requiring a massive market penetration I'm not willing to invest at current prices..

May I also add this is something that I know very little about, but after seeing some examples on youtube and make magazine (http://www.makershed.com/3D_Printers_s/245.htm) and having read a few articles..

what about industries of many types?

Such as what?

Food - I posted last week about the deal with Hershey.

Sweet! Hershey Partners To Deliver 3D Printed Candy

as i understand it, even car parts can be turned out via this technology
certainly NASA produced a model spaceship or similar in titanium using this technololgy for a little girl in USA only a few weeks back

I think where food is concerned its abit of a novelty... The main question of doubt in my mind is can it compete with mass production and can it compete on a cost basis... Sure I get the idea that you could potentially produce anything on one of these if you've got the time and patience to first design something to be produced on a computer...

like "Big Data" - Wandisco and similar - is of singular importance (sorry, but i can't think how to phrase this without sounding like a ramper!), i think 3-D printing is in a similar bracket

in both instances, it's probably a case of buying a few of your "chosen" and tucking them away

My work here is done! :-)

good article skinny, thanks.,.

Have a read of this...
https://www.thalmic.com/blog/3d-printing-vs-injection-molding-at-thalmic-labs/

Thanks Shortie - any companies in mind?

It might be worth investing in a 6 thousand year old technology! :-)

"Although many other factors could be compared between these two prototype procedures, the outcome is already clear. While 3D printing is extremely useful in the early stages of a product, injection molding is absolutely the best path to take when creating a more formalized and finalized prototype."

thanks Shortie - a very good and informative article that, to my mind, enhances the reason why 3-D printing is (will be) an invaluable tool with a great many applications already

A quick search comes up with Carclo CAR.

Nope, I wouldn't invest in injection moulding either... It just seams to make the point that this is the technology used for mass production, its here I'd imagine the money to be rather than in the prototype stages... I think this is a clear case of if you understand it then you'll invest, if like me your not getting it you won't..

Doesn't hurt to look though :- Injection Moulding Companies in the UK

The market for 3D printers and services is small, but growing fast. Last year it was worth $2.2 billion worldwide, up 29% from 2011

Thanks Hils.