I'm knackered.
But I'm not doing anything different, or working harder on the markets or anything, it's .. oh yes... HALF TERM!!!!
The lovely lad is full of beans from 6.30am to 8.30pm and there are only two of us here (the cat's not much use and we don't have any family nearby to help).
Though it's tiring it is lovely too and ultimately more rewarding than anything else. I feel me and Christopher have such a lovely bond.

That's worth more than anything material like money. Though true it is nice to have some.
First thing is because of this there is no update this Friday but I will be back as usual next week.
Friday is earmarked for a day out at London's museums, probably the Science and History as he's into dinosaurs. So sorry and all that but you're second in the pecking order right now dear reader. Or maybe third.
Anyway we have been having lots of fun. He got 12 reward stickers so his reward is the amazing Lazer Shark inflatable for our swimming.
I'd never have bought it if I'd known it was going to take me about a day to blow it up (it is some big mama of a shark) or that it had the evil water gun attachment.
Of course immediately the shark hit the water I got bombarded with shots from the gun. But it gives us plenty of fun. In fact now he's strong enough to catch me in the pool I can't remember laughing so much - we were both hysterical.
I'm terrible when I get the giggles and find it hard to stop. It happened last year at a large dinner I was attending causing some raised eyebrows - let them raise, I say.
Also been to the playcentre which Christopher gamely scooted to (about 3 miles) while I cycled. This time I remembered to bring the ear plugs. I could see other parents looking at me thinking, why didn't I do that?

Or maybe they were thinking: "That guy looks like a real prat with those earplugs in." Take your pick.
Christopher has discovered how to get my attention. Yes he knows how to turn the computer off. Shows what a long way he has come. Two years ago he'd have chucked my computer mouse down the loo instead..
I'm a bit worried about the aged cat and how long she has left. I looked up cat/human age on the internet and discovered she is about 87 in human years.
Yet she doesn't look it at all - she looks about 25 human years.
Which got me to thinking: Wouldn't it be interesting if we lived till 80 or 90 as we do now but our skin didn't change from 25 so that we all look about the same age?
I was wondering how different things would be. Men would still whistle at 80-year-olds. Would that be fun?
Now I'm thinking this scenario would make a good film script. Hey, don't steal it this is my idea!! Whoops, too late.
Talking scripts the spreadbetting book is nearly finished!! Honestly? I've hated having to write it - it's been tougher to do than I thought.
I'm desperate to start writing fiction so once this book is done and dusted (maybe another 2 weeks with a fair wind) I can get going as I have some ideas. It'll be for fun only - if it got published that would be a bonus, I wouldn't expect it.
In fact you know what? I'll publish it here chapter by chapter, over a few weeks once it's done to get some reaction. ("Stick to writing about finance, Robbie, your fiction stinks!")
Those of you booked into my March seminar should have had full details of venue, the day itself and how to get there in an email over the weekend.
If you didn't get this mail please let me know asap! Might be worth checking spam folders first of course.

Thanks for the continued feedback from the last seminar, some lovely mails, much appreciated because as you know I put a lot into it.
My next seminar is on Friday March 19th at Heathrow so if you couldn't make the last one maybe you can make this one.
If you're interested in coming then email me at robbiethetrader@aol.com with "March seminar interested" in the subject line

I'll then send you details and a full agenda of what is covered. Also more details below somewhere. There is a decent early bookers discount available.

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! E-mail me for details.
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.
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 2 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/
MF Global offers a free £2 bet on the FTSE to all readers.
To take up the offer either click the MF banner you should find somewhere on this page, or cut and paste this link into your browser and you can sign up online:
http://tinyurl.com/c524ku
Terms and conditions obviously apply
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 MARCH 19TH AT HEATHROW NOW OPEN
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 March 19th
Price is £495 plus vat. However right now there is an early booking 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 "New Year 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 2 spreadbets (terms and conditions apply)
To get the offer, click here:
http://www.tradefair.com/promo/spreads/nakedtrader100/

Oh dear. That interview with Gordon Brown was embarrassing and depressing. He should never ever have done it. The British public isn't stupid. We know why he did it.
He was supposed to be a serious guy/politician and here he is, stooping so low to be interviewed in a showbiz style.
We don't really need to know about a PM's personal life. Do your job and please stop throwing money at stupid projects. Please.
Inflation's up to 3.5% - interest rates are half a percent if you're lucky.
Yet again the people who were prudent and saved are being penalised because of the people who ran up the big debts.
I especially feel sorry for the over 65s who in the main saved for their older age and now get little return on their savings while their capital is starting to get bitten away by inflation. Sad state of affairs.
I'm getting fed up with the news. Especially the BBC ten o'clock one though ITV is no better.
Why does each report have to be so ... well... dumbed down? Why do we need flashy graphics, words picked out and out in large letters on the screen.
Why talk to a reporter "Live at Heathrow" about a plane accident that happened 6 months ago?
I could go on with a longer rant on this but lucky for me the brilliant Charlie Brooker sums it all up in this hilarious report spoof!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHun58mz3vI
Good eh! I've an idea.

How about Ten O Clock news on BBC1 for the braindead as it is now and a news for anyone with a brain (nearly all of us) on BBC 2? (On the new news Robert Peston would automatically be banned from any report whatsoever).
I was waiting for PMQs today - and there isn't one - so they get half term off as WELL as all the long holidays they already get? Pah!
Would someone please ask Vernon Kay to stop sending me text messages. Sometimes enough is enough... Get over it, Verne, I'm not available.

If you press "Sports" there is a preview of the weekend's sports betting action and a look at the weekend games.
Get to grips with sports spread betting by opening an account with Sporting Index. . Click the link below to find out more.
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.

Michael writes:
I wish to thank you for a really fantastic seminar. Compared to the average newspaper pundit//broker/analyst you're worth your weight in gold. Sorry, even better, make that platinum not gold!

It was great to be able to witness you at first hand going through the actual nuts and bolts of your methodology, your thought processes even. And then, watching you trading and giving us access to your real time trading accounts as you trade. You're a very inspiring, generous, accessible and completely down to earth bloke. All in all, that seminar was a masterclass.
Thanks Michael - good to meet you and good luck.
Dan writes:

A big thank you for the seminar, you're an absolute trooper to keep
going to such an unsocial hour, especially with the last bunch of us
propping up the (closed) bar! It's a new record for you, although I
think I'd keep that one a secret otherwise your next seminar might be
a 24 hour bender!

It was a great day, really informative and yet strangely relaxing! Met
some very interesting characters and now just hoping I don't get a
case of amnesia, and forget the whole lot before I start trading. If I
do I know where to come.

Hope we didn't drain you too much and you get some TLC and chill out
time with your lovely wife Elizabeth and Christopher over the weekend.

I'll keep you posted should my trading take-off otherwise if you never
hear from me again I've probably packed it all in, and emigrated with
a lovely Swedish girl to live in a log cabin!

well, I hope you get to that log cabin and you and Swede will end up happy together...
Andy writes:
It was great to hear how much you all enjoyed South Africa as it brought back some good memories. I went in '94 to see a friend who was working in Cape Town. I had 4 weeks there and enjoyed every minute. We spent the first and last week in and around Cape Town, plus two weeks on the 'Garden Route'.

I agree having someone to show you around is a huge bonus. Some of my favourite things were: Drinking Mitchell's beer at the Waterfront, which is made using a combination of bitter and lager yeasts (later we visited the brewery in Knysna), catching the train down to Simonstown & visiting the Naval Museum, seeing the Penguins at Boulders Beach, drinking at the Brass Bell in Kalk Bay, driving scenic Chapmans Peak drive, wine tasting at Stellenbosch vineyards, the botanic gardens at Kirstenbosch, climbing the Lion's Head, canoeing on the Breede River, camping at Addo elephant park, driving over the Swartberg Pass with Massive Attack on the stereo, visiting the Kango caves, whale watching at Hermanus, chilling out at Tsitsikamma National Park ... and so much more. No wonder you're going back next year!
Hi Andy you remind me I can't wait to return but have to wait till December!!
Barry writes:

Barry writes:
Just great to here how much you enjoyed your holiday in South Africa. I sold up my investments in 2007 after making good profits using the knowledge I gained from attending your seminars and reading your books and of course spending many many hours on research and monitoring prices via ADVFN.
The proceeds I used to buy a piece of land and having a 2 bed roomed thatched bungalow built on Gondwana Game Reserve a 5 * game reserve near Mossel Bay, on the garden route in South Africa. I think that all investors must have a purpose to their investing, whether it be educating your children, a financially sound retirement or upgrading their home. This was always my dream which I have now achieved.
So many thanks for that. Having worked very hard at making some profit would you mind if you could give a plug to Gondwana (www.gondwanagr.co.za) in that we have some great offers on at the moment for visitors this summer and still about 7 plots left of the 96 plots in the 11,000 hectare reserve. Some of these plots can earn an income being part of a rental pool where the homes are used as hotel accommodation.
As I sit on the management committee then your readers can contact me direct barryvernon@btinternet.com to get the inside information and the best possible deals for their holidays or investment opportunities

I think we can safely say, Barry, plug done!!

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

Well, it really is a good old fashioned ding dong between bulls and bears at the moment. The question is who is going to win??
The bulls think the markets are still undervalued, we are coming out of recession and everything is rosier than it appears while the bears think another massive tumble is coming mainly because everything is currently being propped up and it won't take much for the stick to be kicked away.
I don't make forecasts so don't ask me. If you had a gun to my head I'd go with the bears.
But the bulls have been in charge this week and it is nice to see the markets rise after a couple of weeks in the doldrums. Can it last though? Dunno.
OK onto some trades.
I'll kick off with oiler Aminex (AEX) topsliced some profts there recently and it wasn't doing much until earlier this week when suddenly buyers started to come in strongly, taking my cue from the buying I picked a new batch up, 25,000 at 13p. Stop 11, target 18. The buying might mean some good news is on the way. That adds to the holding I kept where I've doubled my money. However of course it is a risky one, if it makes a find could be worth a lot more, if not it might slump and market makers are enjoying moving this all over the shop as it's impossible to value.
I'm back in at Micro Focus (MCRO) where I took lovely profits recently too. Looks a good time to get back in after the profit-taking has ended. I got back in with 1,000 shares at 461.37 - this company still looks like it is going places and nice to get back in nearly 40p lower than when I took profits. Target 520 stop 445.
I've tried for a short in Imagination (IMG) again - took a small loss last time I tried to short it. While it's a great company with good products the value still looks overcooked so I've tried again at £20 at 258 which is about where I tried last time. Again I'll come out hopefully with a small loss if I'm wrong again but something needs to happen here surely to keep the price as high as it is. Target 210 stop 270.
I bought 5,000 Intec Tel (ITL) at 94.35 after it started to rise from a massive fall after a trading update. Target 105 stop 90. I've noticed this year if you have a share with good profits nearly every time it's profitable to take the profits or some profits the day before results. Because any even slight disappointment with results sees a savage markdown.
So I topsliced Intec the day before the statement and I berated myself on statement day. Why hadn't I sold the lot? Well, hedging my bets I guess. Anyhow I topsliced at 113.5 for a small profit and some on the spreads at 113, but left the rest which in hindsight was a mistake. Buyers have since come in and it's going back up with 100 now being pretty crucial. I suspect I'll sell some if they can't get over that hurdle but try and give it some time. Let's see if directors buy some.
I also topsliced some XP Power as they've been stuck in a rut for a while. Trebled on these and sold some at 419.2 for a profit of £892 on the last position. No real worry here exactly but the non move for a while means it's sensible to lob a few out.
Onto shorts and with the market rising fast I cut half the Wolsely at 1385 for a profit of £435 leaving the other one to run (might be a mistake given it's rising fast right now!). Also Next was beginning to soar but didn't really close quick enough there at 1928 for a profit of only £85. Shame as there was a much bigger profit there earlier this morning. Really should have taken profits way faster on those.
Elsewhere the portfolio goes nicely but the biggest surprise is PZ Cussons I expected this to be a slow steady riser and wasn't expecting such a big rise so quickly. I shouldn't be complaining I guess! Looks like this one is going to bring home the profit quicker than I expected.
SDL has really gone for it for me - with profits of nearly £1,500 in double quick time - nearing 450 as I write, it it can get above that it would be bullish for 480 which is what I was looking for.
Carclo has started a little rise and again I think this one is overlooked by the market. Still unsure with recent buy Batm and will take a quick small loss on it if it doesn't work out. Doubler Microgen reports tomorrow - wondering whether to topslice a few before the end of today just to be on the safe side.
Yet another contract win for RM. Good profits but a rise over 170 needed to go further. Dimension Data continues to look strong after its excellent statement and now up more than £3,000 already on the big spreadbet I have on it and more than £1,000 on the standard trade.
Alterian - well the jury is out still - needs a good close above 140 really and at the moment I'm not sure. Still, I'm so well up on the first lot it won't matter too much if this trade doesn't work out. Kentz is rising slowly but surely. Style is down on my buy but I'll give it a bit more time unless support goes.
My lovely trebler Petrofac is booming and has soared well back over 1000. Long-termer Heritage has been climbing very well and that's a trebler too.
The market volatility continues and the current upside surprises but most of us investors are not complaining about it! However, we can't expect an easy ride either and caution is still required. Still delighted with the splendid profits there on paper and that have been banked recently.
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 2 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!