Well, half-term ended up being great fun. Lots of laughs and good times.
Christopher went back to school today which is weird as everyone else seems to be on holiday now.
But it was great him having half-term while others were at school as it was nice and quiet about the place...
I was delighted to see a happy, jolly child going to school today. Unlike me who was fearful as a child as unfortunately for me my father was a drug addict/alcoholic. I'm determined my child is going to have a proper childhood.
We didn't go away in the end - with BA strikes around we decided not to travel and just enjoyed things around the home area.
Once or twice it was just warm enough to head to the outdoor pool. We also did playcentres, museums, shopping, and entertained at home. We've played football, loads of games and he's entertained us so much too.
A few of Christopher's friends came for a BBQ and I also took some of them swimming. In fact between us, Mrs NT and myself have given him a pretty darned good time. Those chicken sticks were especially good.
No video games or much TV just lots of fun and games which I think is how it should be. I find him even more of a delight every day and even more happy I don't have a job.
I see fellow dads in the neighbourhood who leave for work at 7am and don't come back home till 8pm - and I think they really miss out on seeing their kids developing. I know there isn't an answer to this and not everyone can be as lucky as me.
However interesting talking to some of them who are thinking of earning less money and working less. It's a very tricky balance.
There was one surprise in our week.
My big sister who owns 5 West End Theatres invited us to the opening night and after party of All My Sons, a revival of a famous play by Arthur Miller.
"This one is really good," she told me, knowing about my low attention span!
And she was right. What a show!
It got amazing reviews in all the national press and the actors got a standing ovation. "Profoundly moving" said The Telegraph for example.
It stars "Poirot" David Suchet who plays Joe, the owner of a factory which sent 21 troops to their death in the Second World War by supplying faulty equipment.
It's all about deceit and how us humans are so great at denial - denying dark truths and burying them away.

And also about our moral standpoints. And, really if we do something wrong, the longer the truth stays buried, the harder it gets.
As it was the opening night everywhere you looked there were famous faces - top actors, TV personalities abounded.
We went to the party afterwards for a bit though had to get back for the babysitter. My sister is an amazing host and knows everyone in the world of the theatre.
We met some very interesting people as usual. Of which the most interesting had to be a delightful theatre goer in her 90s, Victoria. Sharp as a tack. Goes to all the shows and has done for decades.
Victoria first met my sister a couple of years ago at one of her shows. During the interval of that show Victoria slagged it off to my sister. At the end of the slag off my sister said: "Thanks, I produced the show!"
Since then however Nica has warmed to Victoria and ensures she always gets a good seat and gets to the after parties!
"It's absolutely fantastic being in my 90s," Victoria told me. "I've never been happier...."
"Why are you so happy?" I asked.
"I haven't got a future to worry about!" she replied.
Not quite sure what to say to that but I see what she means!
"For example, climate change... what do I care about it?" she added. She also reckons we've gone mad over the last 20 years with debt and she thinks we are all doomed because of it and the chickens will come home to roost. "Not that it's going to bother me!" she grins.
Victoria has a big red walking stick. She admitted to me she doesn't really need it. She uses it for leverage.
She uses it to get the best-looking bloke around to help her... and indeed to get freebies!
Good for her: she has some fascinating stories to tell and look forwards to seeing her again at the next opening night.
In the interval we were in the VIP room where I met someone who has bought a few shares in his time, but talking of time I'm running short, so I'll save that for Friday's update!
As I said the play has had rave reviews so go along and see how good my sister is at producing great shows for her theatres!
To see all the shows on offer at her theatres go to www.nimaxtheatres.com. And if you're coming to London sometime do book "All my Sons" - at the Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue.
Those of you coming to the June 25th seminar, I sent you all venue details yesterday... if you think you are booked into my seminar on that date and did not get the details please let me know!

If you think you might be interested in spending a day with me and live markets on Friday June 25th there is still space at my seminar at Heathrow. Beginners and improvers welcome!
If you're interested in details, mail me with "June seminar interested" in the subject line at robbiethetrader@aol.com.

There is still a decent early booking discount though not for much longer so grab it while you can!

If you mail me I will then send you details and a full agenda of what is covered. Also more details below somewhere.

My seminars are designed for beginners, dabblers and improvers and deals with everything from how to look for winners, how to research, spreadbetting, level 2 use how to time trades and short, how to use advfn properly and run your portfolio without having to spend money on systems and tipsters.. and tons more.
A lot of the day comes directly from the live markets and I show you many of the tricks I use to get good prices live. And there might even be the odd live trade or 2!
Spreadbetting firm Tradefair Spreads has upped its offer exclusively to Naked Trader readers to a £100 credit. This offer is exclusive to me and not available anywhere else...
I've been using them for a few weeks to check that I'm happy with the service. As you know I don't take ads or allow referrals on the site unless it's a company I've used and I feel confident about.
What I like about it is it's easy to use, spreads are surprisingly tight on the smaller companies and interestingly an automated stop loss is applied to each trade - so beginners know what their max loss is from the outset.
Anyway they now offer a £100 credit as long as you deposit £100. You get the credit after you placed 5 trades (Terms and conditions apply)
If you'd like to apply for an account with Tradefair Spreads and get the freebie click this link:
http://www.tradefair.com/promo/spreads/nakedtrader100/

The number of emails to me is nearly reaching saturation point and I'm struggling! I'm getting 100s which is lovely in a way but killing me in another.
The main problem is the length of some of them, indeed some run to the length of novels, so, please, help save my eyes and please keep mails to under 150 words.. you can do it! It's close to the stage where I am going to have to say I will answer all mails but those over 200 words will get deleted. Keep them short and sweet, please!!
Also, it's possible the answer you seek from me is already in FAQ's. And do remember I can't discuss individual shares with you as it would be classified as investment advice which I'm not authorised to give.
Many of you enjoy the cheap advfn toplists bronze deal through me as do many of you with the cheap level 2. However many of you say you want a half-way house to include real-time share prices always on.
So I'm pleased to announce I've managed to seal a new deal with Advfn for its "Silver" service - that's always on real-time share prices for a good saving (Bronze toplists etc are included in this).
The deal is via me you can save £30 for your first year by paying just £138.06 inc vat via me instead of £167.47.
Just mail me for full details if you'd like it with "silver" in the subject line.

Those of you looking for some extra income could be interested here:

http://www.ei42.com/Nakedtrader/ then click "earn money" on the rhs.

So for free you can sign up and get this shopping site for yourself. What's brilliant is any product you want type it into the search and it will come up with it, which store it is at and where it is cheapest, then buy it and earn commission on your spend!
Everytime you buy anything yourself on your site you get commission.. So if you normally shop online anyway it's a no brainer: just use your own site instead of going direct and get some commission every time you shop.
Then you just get some friends to sign up and get their own site too - when they do online shopping using their mall, you get commission too. Simple as that.

They've just re-published "The Zulu Principle" by Jim Slater who's written a 2008 update at the beginning.
This is a brilliant classic book. Reading this is a real pleasure and it was a great idea to republish.
Jim believes like I do the best gains can come from smaller stocks and in an easy to read style takes you through how to evaluate smaller companies that are about to become bigger ones - he uses some excellent examples.
Really this is a must read for all more longer-term investors or anyone looking to grow their money... a number of you have also written to me about this book and praising it.
Here is the link to buy it:
http://books.global-investor.com/books/167207.htm?ginPtrCode=10453
Here's a very topical one: The Little Book of Bull Moves in Bear Markets by Peter Schiff.
The book is all about how to keep portfolios up in a down market. He focusses a lot on how to play commodities and win with some sensible advice especially on natural resources and precious metals. He is very much a realist and there is no rubbish here: some straight talking and some interesting strategies.
Everyone who invests should think seriously about keeping portfolios up in bad times so this book should be read.
Well worth picking up at this link:
http://books.global-investor.com/books/271958.htm?ginPtrCode=10453
To order my new book Naked Trader 2 for next day delivery click this link... or the cover of the book top right!
http://books.global-investor.com/books/27120.htm?ginPtrCode=10453
I've had heaps and heaps of praise from many of you regarding The Financial Spreadbetting book.
The book really seems to have helped a lot of you understand spreadbetting a lot more than you did. You say it's really helped you with ideas too. The writer deserves commendation. With the ability to go short so important in these volatile markets, it's a must read. To order click this link... http://books.global-investor.com/books/23307.htm?ginPtrCode=10453
Several people have asked me for a recommendation on a book which shows how to study accounts in a reasonably easy way. The one I like the most is http://books.global-investor.com/books/15717.htm?ginPtrCode=10453 by Robert Leach. Ten crunch questions to ask before buying any company.
It' s a decent easy-to-read book with several key chapters and it's highly recommended. It's one I keep and dip into from time to time. To order, click this link... http://books.global-investor.com/books/15717.htm?ginPtrCode=10453
The best book on charting and easiest read on the subject is http://books.global-investor.com/books/15618.htm?ginPtrCode=10453 by Alistair Blair. Click here -> http://books.global-investor.com/books/15618.htm?ginPtrCode=10453
Another good one is the second edition of http://books.global-investor.com/books/23792.htm?ginPtrCode=10453 by Peter Temple. Included in this one is how to use spreadbetting, CFD's warrants and trackers to reduce risk. And there are some decent trading strategies too.
This is an excellent book for new investors and also experienced ones. It explains all the things you may not be sure about in the markets and will explain the tools that are there. To order The Investors Toolbox by Peter Temple (new edition) click the following link for delivery in 24 hours... http://books.global-investor.com/books/23792.htm?ginPtrCode=10453

**** BOOKING FOR FRI JUNE 25TH AT HEATHROW NOW OPEN**

(MaY seminar is sold out)
Fancy spending a day with me, learning all the ways I have learned over the years to find good shares and play the markets? Well, you can at one of my seminars!
Booking is now open for the next Naked Trader seminar on Friday June 25th
Price is £495 plus vat. But there is an early bookers discount!
That includes three course lunch, coffees, snacks etc. And most importantly it covers choc bars and fruit gums too.
The seminar is mainly aimed at beginners and dabblers though improvers are welcome too.
Topics covered using live market feeds all day include: Market psychology, level 2 - a simple guide to how to use it for better timing; how to value companies; finding companies that are about to rise. I will also cover techniques for handling events such as the recent meltdown and volatility.
Spreadbetting: How to use it to gain an edge and go short. Market makers - how they work and how to beat them; how to stop losing money and make it instead and plenty more.
How to plan trade entries and exits - how to research companies and understand reports, plus all those niggly questions you always wanted to ask. How to set stop losses and targets. Charts and how to use them.
Also covered: Market maker tricks: How to spot tree shakes and use them in your favour, How to tell when NOT to buy a share. I use live ADVFN all day with lots of level 2 and looks at all kind of live market data.
The idea behind the seminar is SIMPLICITY. I don't use jargon or fancy words - everything is in PLAIN ENGLISH! No question is too stupid and the event is held in a friendly relaxed and supportive environment.
The idea is you will come away from the event I hope a wise and better investor with lots of new ideas. I try and translate complex topics into easy bite size pieces. I also aim for it to be entertaining as well as instructive.
If you are interested please e-mail me at robbiethetrader@aol.com with "seminar interested" in the subject line and I will send you full details of the event including comments from those who have come to previous seminars and you can then decide whether you would like to come. See you there!
One seminar attendee Clare wanted to write a testimonial about her experiences at the seminar which follows now!
"I've just come back buzzing from one of Robbie's seminars. What a day! He's just brilliant, and manages to pack an awful lot into one day, and with his enthusiastic and humorous delivery the day just flies by. There are no gimmicks, no sell, no "˜get-rich-quick' promises, just his own solid, sound approach which he has learnt over the years and which works.
He shows you how to minimise the risks and maximise the profits and points out the banana skins on the way. Where the seminar really comes into its own is when he teaches using live level 2. Hearing him talk through his thought processes and reasoning is invaluable, and really brings home everything from the book. He has endless patience answering peoples' questions, and really seems to care that everybody understands.
On top of that, you meet some really nice like minded people and swap e mail addresses, you're plied with
chocolates and coffee all day, have a great lunch and spend the evening getting tiddled with Robbie in the
bar afterwards! You might even get to see the amazing crocodile boots . . . .
Don't worry about the cost, it's easily worth it, and you'll soon make it back with your new-found investment skills, and in what you're no longer losing. If you're thinking of going along to his next seminar, whether you're a novice or an experienced trader, don't hesitate ""just go!
Thanks Clare, did you want the tenner in cash, or will a cheque do?

Exclusive One Point Spread, £250 Cashback Offer

Still a massive response coming in for the sensational 1 point indices spread offer plus £250 cash back on losses - my mail box continues to be full of enquires - don't miss out!
I have arranged a deal with a spreadbet company that gives you just ONE POINT spreads on all the major indices and very tight spreads on everything else. A one point spread is just amazing and you can use it on the FTSE, DOW, Nikkei etc...
Not only that, I can offer those of you interested a fantastic £250 cash back on any realised spreadbet losses made within your first 8 weeks. That means you get back any losses up to £250 which could come in extremely handy.
If you'd like the details of this offer just mail me at robbiethetrader@aol.com with "£250 cashback offer" in the subject line. This really is a great offer which will have a limited lifespan so if you want it, get cracking!

I've started using Tradefair for spreadbetting - I like the auto generated stop losses which help to maintain discipline and that's good for beginners I think. And exclusively for Naked Trader readers they upped the offer to £100 credit.
So there's now a £100 credit on offer for anyone opening an account via me. You get that after 5 spreadbets (terms and conditions apply)
To get the offer, click here:
http://www.tradefair.com/promo/spreads/nakedtrader100/

Capital gains tax has become a hotter issue than I thought it would. I actually think this tax should simply be abolished completely.
And if it was I think people would be really surprised - it would make little difference to the tax take but would create tons of new jobs, boost the economy, and allow people to keep the money they made through hard work.
Of course the tedious guys who run the show will never consider anything radical which for me would include legalising prostitution and soft drugs.
Surely Conservatism is all about simplfying and lowering taxes not raising the worst ones. CGT is a penalty on anyone who invested carefully, put away savings and managed their money responsibly.

How come the lazy and the greedy who get into big debt can get away with it and those who are responsible have to pay for everything?
CGT raises little worthwhile money - just £2.5bln - I bet by abolishing it a whole lot more would be raised by those in new jobs paying tax.
Most economists agree raising CGT is just a political thing and doesn't stand up. And remember the reason CGT was lowered to 18% was to make things simpler and do away with the taper relief which was very complex.
Perhaps a compromise would be say shares would be CGT free after being held for 5 years.
It's very disappointing that our governments don't look back in history and realise raising taxes never makes that much extra revenue and just stifles initiative and private enterprise and those that create jobs.
I wish for one year they would abolish CGT and reduce tax to a flat 25% for all. I bet you after a year we'd see a more robust economy, more jobs created and a new enterprise culture. And I also bet the tax take actually goes up.
One interesting idea I saw recently was that all income tax should be abolished but VAT raised massively instead. Haven't thought that one through.
But all in all governments hardly seem to deviate from the norm or come up with anything new or interesting. Such a shame.
I still can't get into Junior Apprentice - it just seems so weird and I couldn't really get interested in which teen could sell more cupcakes. Sorry Lord Sir A.
Britain's Got Talent is such a great show - it shows us how many youngsters are actually hard-working and putting effort into realising their dreams. And not just taking drugs and knifing each other as the media would have it.
To see the effort some of these dance troupes must have put in in their spare time is marvellous and humbling.
Christopher indeed has suggested him and me go on stage. Trouble is I haven't got any talent for anything - if I had I would!
I think it's between Spellbound and the doggie - probably first and second. I would like doggie to win because he's just amazing as is the relationship between him and his owner. Just fantastic.
The English team performance has been woeful. I'm in a dilemma as I just don't think they are good enough to win and a good business decision would be to back against them on the spreads.
But then of course it would be nice if they won! Tricky one! Heart says back, head says lay.

I'm planning to do a bit of betting on the World Cup, it makes it more fun - I generally spreadbet and enjoying backing teams not to win! I did quite well last night and will try and post some bets.
I came across a brilliant book which is a big help: The Essential World Cup Betting Guide 2010. It's written by a full time football punter and has all the stats, betting tips and hints to actually make some real money out of it - it really is brilliant and under £7! Do get it and read it if you intend to do any betting, link is here:
http://books.global-investor.com/books/459897.htm?ginPtrCode=10453
And the spreadbetting firm I use is here: via this link they offer a pretty generous £400 free bet on goals. The offer is if you open an account and place 5 bets they offer a £200 freebie, place a further 5 and you get another £200. If you could find a match with lots of goals that could pay off. Please check terms and conditions
http://www.sportingindex.com/?tpid=6755
Do remember if you do bet you ought to treat sports spreadbetting as entertainment - and expect to lose! Also with spreadbetting work out what your max loss could be and make sure you can afford it! In other words if you say backed the favourite at 15 for a fiver and they come nowhere your max loss is £75.

Oliver writes:
Thank you very much for what was a very informative and enjoyable seminar. In terms of value for money I don't think anyone there could possibly complain. Your enthusiam and drive were apparent from the off and it was impressive to see you keep it up for the 12 hour marathon session.
The day was everything I hoped it would be and with any luck I shall be back in the future for a refresher and a reminder of all that was learned last week.
For anyone who is thinking about self investment in shares then this is a fantastic way to start your education and even if you aren't a beginner then there is still much to learn from a man who is quite clearly at ease amongst the ebbs and flows of the stock market.
Thanks Oliver. I put the tenner in the post. It was cash you wanted wasn't it?
Dean writes:
Hi Robbie, I noticed that you keep getting emails about pills to make your "˜manhood' bigger.Well recently I have startdeaned to get phone calls saying that I can wipe out all my debts within 2 years and wondered if we should tell Gordon Brown to give them a call.

Maybe they can sort out the £950 billion we owe! I think it's the best chance we have of getting out of this mess.

Yes, Dean I think the UK should start borrowing on credit cards, transferring balances from one card to another at 0% and collecting various points along the way...

David writes:
Thanks for a great May seminar. It was just what I needed and particularly the understanding of level 2 and spread betting. Also your fast track analysis of company info was amazing and will save me hours of work over the coming months.

Don't know how you managed to keep up the pace til 10pm your stamina clearly better than most of the participants who like me were flagging . Well done and will certainly recommend the seminar to friends.

Thanks for that David. I must have been on something. I think it was the 7pm gin and tonic that kept me going...
Lalani writes:
I attended your seminar 18 months ago after reading your book and wanted to say thank you for:-
1. Talking in plain simple English. I actually work for an investment bank (not a trader I hasten to add) - and there is a lot of complex trading strategies, instruments, tools, terminology etc etc Your seminar and book actually helped me to understand the basics and I'm sure even helped me pass the IMC - a financial exam.
2. Making the seminar interesting and humourous - time flew by and it helped me solidify the principles in your book and gave me the confidence to actually have a go myself at investing in something other than index trackers. I'm particularly glad you value the importance of providing a plentiful supply of sweets, chocolate, coffee and a fab lunch too. Top marks in that area - and such variety too!
3. Putting a sparkle back into my marriage - yes - honestly. I recommended your book to my husband and he surprised me by actually reading it and finishing it (mostly on the toilet). He loved your book too and now we often have a good banter about the shares we like and whose portfolio is doing better! I am actually considering booking him on your seminars as a present.
4. Your website. It always makes me smile, and you write in an engaging and humourous manner and it's one of the websites I reguarly visit.
Thanks Lalani, well I never thought I'd be responsible for helping put a sparkle into a marriage... but if your hubby enjoys reading my book on the loo, that's great.

For me it's usually The Sun! Anyway thanks for the fan mail.

John writes:
Thanks for a great seminar last Friday, everyone I spoke to enjoyed it and marvelled at how you kept going so long; you certainly gave value for money.

If the seminar taught me anything it was how to trade in a more professional and detached manner. I realise up till now I was just playing at it.

Thank you once again for a fantastic day that will remain with me for the rest of my life.

Thanks John, though my wife sometimes complains I go on for too long.....

I have 3 great offers from ADVFN. First great deal: If you want level 2, though me it is only £299 for your first year including VAT!
This compares to £360 PLUS vat from ADVFN direct (£423) so this deal saves you over £100! ADVFN level 2 also includes all the live trades made through Plus Markets which I find invaluable.
To accept this great deal just e-mail me at robbiethetrader@aol.com with "Level 2 offer" in the subject line and I will tell you how to get it. Level 2 for only £299 for a year (including vat), or under £25 a month!!

Deal two is ADVFN's bronze subscription - normally £60pa - available from me for only £40! That's a saving of £20! You get access to the premium bulletin board which contains my discussion forum with direct access to chat to me and some very good traders.
Plus you get ADVFN's premium top lists which I talk about in my book and think are a must for finding great stock picks. That includes great lists like ex dividend dates, market maker buys plus chart breakouts and downs.
To take up the offer, e-mail me at robbiethetrader@aol.com with Bronze in the subject line and I will tell you how to claim the deal.

Deal three is ADVFN's silver subscription - for those of you who want all the benefits of Bronze AND always on real-time prices.. no more using the back button and getting frozen out!
The deal is via me you can save £30 for your first year by paying just £138.06 inc vat via me instead of £167.47.
Just mail me at robbiethetrader@aol.com if you'd like this deal with "silver" in the subject line.

Want to try out broker Selftrade superb trading system for no risk? You only have to trade once to get £50 bunged into your account! You get £50 and I get £50.
All deals are just £12.50 with no funny small print. They also charge £35 plus vat pa for all accounts. Follow this link...
http://tinyurl.com/57hp4n

There's been no let up in the crazy theme park ride which must have new investors wondering what they have got themselves into.
Some shares are so crazed with anxiety, fear and greed that they can move 10-15% in just a few hours.
I have seen this pretty much over the years so I'm pretty used to times like this so this time in particular the volatility seems to be the worst I've probably encountered.
We have Israel and N Korea troubles, and the BP spill which has really complicated things. BP is the largest constituent of the FTSE 100 so BP alone has been responsible for a lot of the FTSE fall but of course it affects sentiment. I'm certain many have been trying to catch the falling knife with BP shares - just not something I'd personally get involved in. It could just as easily go lower as higher.
Well, it's been a while since I last reported so quite a lot to get through!
I took advantage of the fall in miner Fresnillo (FRES) picking up 500 at 827.19 - target 1000 stop 800. Keeps being mentioned as bid target in the papers and gives me some more mining exposure.
One of my favourite ploys is to top up on shares I bought lower down. More often than not it pays off though not always.
Although I already have a ton of these picking up more shares as a price goes up can pay off so I secured another 1,000 Dialight (DIA) at 269.13 despite already having nearly doubled on the first lot I bought. It's now trying to clear 300, if it does 400 looks in play by the end of the summer. Some big buyers around mopping up in the 280s and 290s. Its LED market is in full flavour right now, and some massive director buying has been going on.
Same comment with Volex (VLX) where I topped up with another 2,500 at 135p. Great statement yesterday bodes well for a possible 200 later this year - already up 40% on the original buy.
I've topped up again in Dimension Data (DDT) - bought the first lot in the 60s and still holding those and recently I took good profits on a second lot. Time to get in again here so I bought 5,000 at 96.24. Target 120 stop 92.
And the last top up was in London Capital Group (LCG) where I got another 3,000 at 132.842 (wacky price!) As I said when I bought at 120, the volatility should be excellent for this spreadbetting firm. Target 180 stop 100.
Not sure why Scott began to tumble and with regret as Lord Sir A might say I got out at 87 to take a small loss of £178 . A shame as I was in a good profit there. But I was always going to take a small loss on that as I said when I bought. I just can't seem to play Hunting well at the moment and sold at 487.5 for a loss of £46 despite the fact I could have got out at 522 for a good profit.
After a great profit built up on Gem D it crashed violently towards the stop where I exited at 245 for a loss of £340. I have no idea why it kept on falling so I bought back at 215.4p. Target 290 stop 195. Figures still look fine. Maybe people are going to stop buying gems. Worth the chance it will bounce back.
I bought some Spice (SPI), 10,000 at 39.08 after it confirmed it has sold off the division that was causing it so many problems. I like the fact it is refocussing and could be a nice recovery play. Target 50 stop 33. Phew!
Holding my nerve and not selling what I think are my good ones has really paid off as the profits in many of them are tremendous now.
Xp Power came up with a tremendous ahead of expectations statement and trebled nicely there! Petrofac has risen solidly to confirm that one has trebled for me too, including the free Enquest shares that's a profit of just about £20,000.
As mentioned earlier good statement from Volex for a 50% rise on the original buy.
An excellent statement from Porvair this morning - it's motoring on all cylinders and up very nicely but seems overlooked by the market. Throw in the very good chance of a bid from Italy and it looks a great hold indeed.
Telecom Plus came up with the goods in its statement: it produced decent figures and growth looks likely with brokers targetting 380. It goes ex dividend soon so that'll shortly produce a nice income cheque of more than £5,000 for me. One would imagine at some point in the future it looks a likely target for Talk Talk.
My most recent buy BTG Group has gone well, up about 20 points higher than my entry price. Needs a good break up through 180 to get up to the 200 area.
PZ Cuzzons is trying to get above 300 today, and looks very exciting for a defensive and nicely up here. Carclo moves up nicely ahead of results next week.
All in all I'm happy I'm managing the volatilty - hanging onto the good ones has worked with some continuing higher and getting out quick with small losses on mistakes also works. However this summer will definitely test the mettle of all kinds of traders and investors and it's probably wise to have some cash on the sidelines.
I've been getting e-mails regarding my use of direct market access and who I use. I've tried a few and for me the easiest system for me is here:
http://www.igmarkets.co.uk/?QPID=1079&QPPID=1
Direct market access means you can place orders directly onto the order book bypassing brokers and market-makers with a chance to buy at the "sell" price. I would suggest you ensure you know what you're doing first but IG does provide much education with its "tradesense" educational tool which comes with it.
I also use its spreadbetting service too along with other firms like Tradefair because it now provides trailing stops which to me is a pretty sensible way of trading. Link is here: -
http://www.igindex.co.uk/?QPID=1078&QPPID=1
that also includes a pretty decent educational programme. As usual before opening accounts please read all the warnings on the sites. You can lose a lot of money if you're not careful so pay close attention to them and make sure you always understand what you are doing and what your potential losses are.

I've also started using Tradefair for spreadbetting - I like the auto generated stop losses which help to maintain discipline and that's good for beginners I think. And exclusively for Naked Trader readers they upped the offer to £100 credit.
So there's now a £100 credit on offer for anyone opening an account via me. You get that after 5 spreadbets (terms and conditions apply).
To get the offer, click here:
http://www.tradefair.com/promo/spreads/nakedtrader100/

If you want to get the contents of The Naked Trader website into your mailbox instead of waiting for the update to come through, plus exclusively news on the progress of my SIPP from the old Sunday Times column inc new higher risk Aim buys made for that, e-mail me at robbiethetrader@aol.com with SIPP in the subject line for details of how to get it.

Want to quit the rat race? Try and start a new source of income so one day you can tell the boss to stuff it? You could do what I did to escape my grotty office job and become an independent distributor for the Utilities Discount Warehouse.
You get to sell great broadband, phone packages and energy to friends, relatives, contacts and anyone else you find and you get cash for each sale but more importantly you get a cut of their spend EVERY MONTH for as long as they are a customer!
It's called residual income and is a far better way to enjoy a ripe old age than relying on a pension. Because even after you stop selling the money STILL comes in!
I still get paid EVERY MONTH for sales I made back in 1999! Every time a customer uses broadband or the phone or switches on a light you get paid.
It's a great business and backed by a stock market company (Telecom Plus), a dedicated team of advisors.. and me to help you on your way!
Not only do you get paid out every month for each customer you can take on distributors. encourage them like I do and get paid on their sales as well.
One day, say you could made redundant, needed a year off or wanted to retire early can you imagine what joy it is to have the regular income coming in. It's wonderful.
You have to work at it, but if you do genuine repeat wealth could be yours. I did it. You can too. For full details, why not email me at robbiethetrader@aol.com.
An overview is also available at http://www.telecomplus.org.uk/fabdeal you can sign up directly there but do tell me!
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Trade tables follow! Trades are current open and recently closed trades. Closed trades feature the closing price and the amount I won or lost. All others are open. Trades get updated a little later than the narrative. Trading costs are ignored, however I also do not add in dividend payments and with the kinds of companies I buy, dividends tend to equal or outweigh costs. Spread rollovers ignored for web purposes. Tables as accurate as poss however a mistake or two can creep in and very occasionally if I forgot I sold or bought something it will be added at a later time.
Trades first reported Weds and Fri afternoons under "Markets" section.. afraid I can't do live trades as that would turn me into a tipster and I'd have to be regulated!