** My new book - about spreadbetting - has just been published, you can order it here:

http://books.global-investor.com/books/401334.htm?ginPtrCode=10453

Welcome to any new readers coming to the website from the new book, I would suggest you read the spreadbetting book in conjunction with Naked Trader, available here:

http://books.global-investor.com/books/27120.htm?ginPtrCode=10453

** Apologies, have cancelled the Aug 1st seminar as we want to stay on at the music festival for Mark Ronson, but have moved the usual autumn seminar to an earlier date, so the next seminar is now September 16th.

Sorry to those of you who'd already booked but I'll be in touch and hopefully you can move to the September date, more details below *****

**I have 1 seat left for a follow up seminar on July 8th at Heathrow for a smaller group, you must have already been to a seminar to qualify for attendance! Mail me if you are interested and you can spend a day with me and live markets next week!***

I'm feeling so summery lazy I don't want to write this update at all.

I'd rather lie in the garden with a good book than write todays update. You might be surprised it takes for ever. I have to look back through trades, sort it all out, it's a right pain.

Then I think: I used to update this site every day now it's once a week, how lazy are you getting?

Then I think, oh leave it till next week, just say you're too lazy to write an update this week. Who cares? You're the boss, you can do what you like!

It must be the coverage of the music festivals. I want to be lazy, sit in a field. Put beads in my hair if I had any, smoke dope which I don't. Wear sandals. Oh hang on, maybe not. Free love. Free shares (defintely not that's one of Nick Clegg's stupid ideas).

Doesn't Nick Clegg remind you of a supply teacher that the kids realise right away they can take the p out of? Hurrah! It's Mr Clegg, he's a pratt and we can walk all over him!

So yes anyway being having a wonderful time with the lovely sunshine while it lasts between the showers.

Except for last Friday when I was in a room all day at the seminar! But I did enjoy it. I admit this time I collapsed under the seat at 10pm! More on that later.

Anyway in the absence of sitting in a field I've had lots of visits to parks, football, picnics, pubs by the river, some lazing around.

And one scary bike ride during some sheet lightening when I was sure I was about to be hit and it was my last few moments on earth.

Then I thought, well what a way to go. Hit by lightning. Of course I know the odds are very low. But while I was on the bike I thought the odds must be a hell of a lot higher. Like from 10 million to one perhaps to as low as 100-1. Anyway I'm still here.

Lots of evening games of football with the young lad Christopher are wearing me out. When I say games, this involves him running at me with the ball and booting it into the back end of the park and yelling "goal".

However whenever I score apparently I'm either offside or I broke some rule he invented. I don't think he really knows how the game works in that you can't just invent rules so that you definitely win.

If I complain I get a yellow card. And last night I got red cards, indeed I got sent off three times. That's got to be a record surely?

So had another couple of golf lessons with the very patient Brian.

I know how to hold the club now. Just hitting the ball any further than not very far is the next job. It's a lot harder than they make it look on TV.

I reckon I can throw the ball a lot further than I can hit it. Maybe that's a good idea.

The driving range is full of people cursing. Desperate to hit some good shots. They're addicted.

I don't feel addicted yet. In fact quite glad when the lesson ends and Brian says kindly: "I think we will need at least double the time next time..."

I got an email (thanks) from a golfer who said don't bother with lessons. Just enjoy it.

Teachers just teach you to play the way they play, he says.

Brian, you are fired.

Just three weeks to go before I am supposed to be playing every day with my friend at the castle. Better buy loads of balls as goodness knows where mine will end up.

Tomorrow night it's a BBQ at Christopher's new school.

We're going to meet some of the parents in his class (Here's hoping). Best behaviour from me.

This school is on the other side of the river. So hopefully a few less bankers.

Bankers really don't like me. How come he has loads of money but doesn't have to go out to work, they think. It irritates them. Me? I rather like that. Nothing like annoying alpha males. Is that why I hardly have any male friends?

Great to meet so many lovely people at the seminar last Friday. And even better, I think, for me to see a lot of lightbulbs going off in people's heads - well, I think from the feedback anyhow.

And even better were the mini steak and chicken pies we had at the last break. Definitely have those again at the next one.

And thanks for that lovely feedback, it's much appreciated. I hope many of you go on to achieve some profits from the markets.

Congratulations to Oskar for winning the FTSE competition with an answer that was spot on, well done!

About double the amount of women than normal at the seminar which is interesting.

We figured that women take less risks than men and so are much more likely to cut losses fast before they grow whereas blokes egos get in the way and they hold onto losers for way too long.

I hope in particular some of my hints on market timing will really help and I really hope all of you who came to the seminar will from now on fully do the same checks I do on timing before buying or selling anything.

I really believe these things I showed you will over time really help.

One chap who came to the seminar mailed me to say -" the guy sitting in front of me said " I thought Robbie would be a lot bigger than he is in real life " Not sure what he was expecting probably the incredible hulk !"

Ah, well I suspect people think I'm a 7ft tall Scotsman wearing a kilt!

Hey but in real life I'm nicer and kinder than you might imagine (he says hopefully).

Anyhow once again thanks for coming. I presume you all got the notes - if you didn't get them for any reason by now let me know.

And the feedback is just brilliant. I thank you all for that because as you now know I put a lot of effort into them.

I get especially rewarded when I get mails from those who attended seminars way back who are doing well.

So if you missed this one, I've just booked the next date!
Booking is now open then for Friday September 16th at Heathrow. If you are interested, mail me at robbiethetrader@aol.com with "September seminar interested" in the subject line.

There is a decent early bookers discount for, er, well, early bookers which you will be if you book at this time!

Beginners and improvers welcome! Come and spend the day with me, the markets and some lovely people - and of course, lunch!
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!

A final reminder for those who have been to previous seminars I am also doing a follow up seminar at heathrow on Friday July 8th. That's all about a refresh of the previous seminar and also all day live level 2, timing, research and trade placing.

Do mail me with "Follow up interested" in the subject line. It is for a small group only and there is only some small space left.

I get quite a few mails asking what magazines or news services I subscribe to etc. Well, hardly any!
However I do take (£8.99 a month though take the yearly option at 20% discount to that) a daily email which is my main source of news about such things as broker upgrades, main news items, analysis of stocks and markets, forthcoming company statements and events, stock recommendations and targets from the top brokers, what kind of earnings expected from companies and a whole heap more useful stuff.
I sometimes get ideas from this for companies to watch or monitor or even buy. And it's handy to get a summary of what the brokers are saying and looking at future earnings etc.
It usually arrives around 5ish every day.
I contacted the people that put it together and they offer a free 14 day trial of it to my readers - so you can cancel after 14 days if you don't feel it's useful enough.
Once you cut and paste this link into your browser, click "uk 14 days free trial" then I would go "yearly option" which gives a 20% discount making it just over £7 a month, as you can still cancel seems worth it. Hope you find it useful like I do. It's one of the few paid for news services that has really impressed.
http://bit.ly/eBPXuG

I do also get the Investors Chronicle delivered by the newsagent every Friday. It's always worth a read and brings to my attention things I may have missed.

An interesting email from a reader. The thrust of it was he was going to buy a share after doing a lot of research but then it went up 12% and he hadn't bought it yet. So he felt angry.
How does he stop/halt the feelings of anger?
Well, you have to take the emotion out of trading. Which isn't easy.
I suggested he should read this book.. by Jason Zweig
http://books.global-investor.com/books/256158.htm?ginPtrCode=10453
This is the one to read on psychology. Great read.
Fancy getting the naked trader updates direct into your inbox? And a bit before it gets updates on the net including news from my pension trades made from my SIPP?

All you have to do is take a phone or energy service from the Utility Discount Warehouse at www.utilitywarehouse.org.uk/fabdeal.

I get some commission and you get the service! On top of that you ought to make some amazing savings on your phone, broadband, or energy use or all! There's even an internet phone where you can make free calls from wi fi hotspots!

Prices are guaranteed lower than the top 6 suppliers but even better you can get huge discounts on your energy/phone bill if you shop at places like Marks and Spencers, Boots, Sainsburys and a whole load more. 5% of your spend comes directly off your billl. Many are saving a fortune from their energy bills.

So save a few quid, and get my stuff in your inbox! A win win? Mail me at robbiethetrader@aol.com with "mail service" in the subject line and I'll send you details.

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.

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
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 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 16TH 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 open for the Naked Trader seminar on Friday September 16th

Price is £550 plus vat. There is an early bookers discount currently available.
That includes three course lunch, coffees, snacks etc. There is an early bookers discount currently available.
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?

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/

Look, sorry Greeks. (My mum was Greek so I am allowed).

I don't think any of us are happy at bailing out a country where they can retire at 50, inherit pensions and avoid tax..

When we have to work a lot longer, get paid less, and have to pay our tax.

That is why there is little sympathy for them. And quite honestly I think the bail out is just going to postpone the inevitable. And that is the Greek economy does not match that of France and Germany.

Although a default may have been a short-term disaster, the pain may have got out of the way quickly now, I think further down the road the problems will be a lot bigger.

I just heard on the news there was some looting...

of, erm MacDonalds!!

Why on earth would you loot MacDonalds? Make your own burger and fries? Some free chicken nuggets?

So the head cheese of China visited, I turned on Sky News to see him and Cameron talking together.

As I turned on the Chinese Premiere said:

"I have some very good news for the people of the UK,".. then he paused.

ooh, better human rights, a fab new trade agreement? Lots of new money for us? A helping hand?

Um, well, the good news was...

"We are donating two new pandas for Edinburgh zoo."

Oh well. Have a nice day!

I think I am going to become a royalist for being not bothered about it one way or another.

Isnt the Queen amazing? And weren't Kate and Wills brilliant at Wimbledon?

I must be getting older. Come on, the Monarchy! Down with republics!!! In fact anything which means I don't have to listen to the ghastly Ed Millibore.

The right person got fired in The Apprentice.. well done my Lord.

By the way my lord yet again got in how wonderful he was and how at age just one he got out a wheelbarrow and sold.... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Anyway tonight it's inventing a new biscuit so we can expect lots of puns.

How's about Lord Crunch? "The Biscuit that fires you".

Dunking delight? The biscuit that's just right for dunking?

Something with jam in it? Jammy Bastard?

I expect one team will probably come up with a diet biscuit and one with a posh one. Whatever happened to "Nice" biscuits?

I think it is time to fire Karen Brady. She's a bit lacklustre and not bringing much to the series.

Try Four Rooms on Channel Four if you've not seen it and watch as the dealers push people to selling their stuff too cheaply.

What I find unbelievable is when a dealer asks someone "How much do you want for it?" And the punter actually tells the truth! Doh!

Worst spam mail subject line of the week

"Your best mould supplier" Yukkkk!!

Some great games at Wimbledon this year, been enjoying it a lot.

Well the bet I told you about last week on Petra Kvitova is going really well and she is now through to the semis, already guaranteed a profit on my bet with Sporting Index, if she wins it will be a big payout.

Also had 12-1 on Betfair, she is now 3-1 so I could lay some of that off and take some profit there too!

The spreadbetting firm I use for sports betting is here:
Via this link Open a Sporting Index account and there's £100 cash offer - please check terms and conditions which apply.

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.

Chris writes :
Chris the builder from sunny Wigan here, fan from day 1, (well about day 323 but who's counting eh?)

Anyway....I feel the need to say THANK YOU again for staring at me via (the first book) on Waterstones bookshelf on that faithful Christmas weekend a few years back, then the seminar at posh Heathrow that i drove to in my van! Ha!

Patience is free, watched my portfolio turn to poo, then back into gold, bought another house with profits, ISA is crammed with good earners, and KENTZ? Need I say another word? Here's one... wow, and another, did I mention thank you Mr Burns

Thanks Chris, I remember you well! In fact I remember you giving me some "humble builder" type nonsense and so glad you've done well and I helped with the book and the seminar. One thing you picked up is the ability to hold onto the good winners for yers to get the real rewards.

I'm happy for you. Great thing about trading is it doesn't matter who you are, what you do, or how you perceive your "status". We are all equals in trading and that is just great.

Duane writes:
Wanted to say a big thank you to you and Mrs NT for an amazing day of learning and fun at your seminar.

The way you explained the share trading from start to finish was understandable and really interesting, well worth the seminar fee!
It was great to hear such down to earth and honest assessment from a successful trader like yourself. The way you explained everything was good revision from your book and gave further insight into successful share trading.

I particularly liked your live trades and going through your accounts when you gave snippets of why you invested in certain shares and why you kept/dumped them. Also helpful was the way you searched for prospective shares and within minutes discounted them or put them on a short list for further examination and correct entry points. Amazing!
You could really tell that you loved doing what you do and your energy levels to keep going till 10pm was well....... I had to leave at 9pm I was shattered!

Thanks again Robbie I am keen to put into practice what you have taught me. Even though you make squillions from your trades and I am sure don't need to do the seminars for financial gain, but please keep doing those seminars for newbies like me!

Thanks Duane! Don't expect to be doing them foreever but very rewarding for me to help people so expect to carry on for a while longer.
Malcolm writes:
A thousand thanks for the seminar, which I found both informative and inspiring. If I can keep my own psychology somewhere near balanced I can make steady money at this until I pop off.

I was particularly pleased to find your approach so simple. This chimes with Warren Buffet, who of course says,

'If calculus or algebra were required to be a great investor, I'd have to go back to delivering newspapers.'

It also confirms my own prejudice, and what my friends in the City have told me, namely, that the financial complexity is unnecessary, only there to bamboozle the unwitting public, and doesn't make it any easier for the City boys to make money. Hence nine out of ten funds haven't beaten the index in any four year period since 1914 (Motley Fool).

Thanks Malcolm. Glad to hear and hope you don't pop off just yet. I agree: simplicity is best and all the jargon tends to be just there to make the jargon talker sound important or that they know what they are talking about.

Terry writes:
Fantastic seminar.

I have always been sceptical of the public testaments you see on web sites
saying how great an event was. Now I'm one of those people!. I
genuinely believe that the tips and techniques as well as the overall
approach you demonstrated will radically improve my trading performance

Thanks Terry, well all the testaments are real but know what you mean and glad you feel it was worth it!
Stephen writes:
I read your book and did the course - and I wasn't sure if I'd recoup the cost, it's been 2 years and I've made £38k + saved a loss transferring a Jupiter ISA heavily invested in BP. I can't tell you how important this is or how grateful I am. That's just me, who knows how much people have made with your help and saved by not making mistakes. I wanted to get into shares as they recovered after the crunch, but I assumed I had to put a large amount in one company I thought would make a big jump.
But what happens when you make £1m on the website, will you still do courses? I don't know how you do your ISA and SIPP investments, write the website, books, courses and answer e-mails. But please don't give it up. Couldn't you do the courses and have a standing website which gets updated with your trades say once a month so people can see what you do..

Stephen thanks so much for such a nice mail and much appreciated! Dunno about the future, I feel like I'm getting jaded. It's possible I might just reduce it all at some point to twice a month after going weekly - that would probably help. The other problem is other people's angst is getting to me and the email workload becoming overwhelming. I think after ten years it might be time for me to quit. Anyway good luck with your trades and hope you make a lot more.

I have 3 great offers from ADVFN.

SAVE OVER £120 !
First great deal: If you want level 2, though me it is only £305 for your first year including VAT!
This compares to £432 direct from advfn so this deal saves you over £120! 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 gives you access to all the market maker positions and the order book and I would not trade without it! More on level 2 in my book and I spend hours on it at my seminars.

Deal two is ADVFN's bronze subscription - normally £72 pa - available from me for only £41! (inc vat) That's a saving of over £30! You 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 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. All as explained in the book.
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.

Bronze is included inside the level 2 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 nearly £30 for your first year by paying just £141 inc vat via me instead of £169.20.
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 online deals are just £12.50 with no funny small print. Charges for phone deals are higher, check terms and conditions. They also charge £35 plus vat pa for all accounts. Follow this link...
http://tinyurl.com/57hp4n

Oh blimey. To be honest I dread having to write this when I've done a lot of trades.

Especially when it's summer. Honestly I'd rather go and sit in the garden then go through my accounts trying to figure out what I traded.

Especially after a seminar when it tends to be more than normal as things came up.

And I'm feeling really lazy - for more on my lazy feelings right now see the diary! You're very lucky to be getting this update at all when I'd rather be sitting in the garden in the sun with a Pimms.

Anyway it's been a nice profitable few days for me. The Greece situation has caused a lot of volatility but markets are bouncing back.

However, I do wonder now the Greek bailout is out of the way whether the markets after the recent rally will have another look and think is the bailout so great? Aren't we storing up more problems further down the road? I think I might try another FTSE short.

Oh my goodness - as I write this Charter has just been bid for!! At 780! Bet it will go higher than that.

And I got them at just 515 on the spreads so that is currently a quick fire profit of over £2,500. As those of you came to the seminar saw from my live spreadbetting accounts I actually have £30 a point so real-life profits are over £7,500 - nice work for a couple of weeks. That has put me in a good mood!

Ok, I'll stop getting excited about that and look at other trades. Buys first.

Dominos Pizza came up at the seminar (DOM). It's been heading down for a long time, not surprising as it was well overcooked (gettit). But having a good look at it at the seminar it now looks fantastic value and so I bought 2,000 at 383.2 for what I think could be a nice run up to 450, possibly a fiver. Some decent buying coming in ahead of results in a couple of weeks too. Some growth in Germany looks a really good buy for me. Let's hope I get a pizza the action. Let's face it selling what is really cheese on toast for £15 is good going.

Also at the seminar noted some big trades going on in Aegis (AGS) and bought 3,000 at 157.6. They're selling off a division which the market seems to like.

I like the look of Coastal Energy (CEO) which I already bought a while back for my high risk pension, this time I bought for the ISA getting 1,000 CEO at 470p.

This isn't some dodgy small oiler, this is one that makes real profits and is in the FTSE 250 and keeps coming up with the goods. Oil fans will hate it cos it's not trading at under 30p. Nor can they imagine doubling their money on it but with patience I think I can, and targetting a tenner in time.

Coastal keeps on coming up with good well statements and yesterday's was no exception. I think a re-rating is likely on this one and soon.

Talking oil stocks but moving to the smaller dodgier end of the market, Aminex (AEX) could be oversold and I nipped 50,000 at 6.45p.

Of course Aminex is risky but at this sort of price could have a nice bit of upside but it's more an entertainment trade than a proper investment. I'd kick out fast if it dipped much below 6p.

Shorts...(betting on shares to go down)

Inmarsart (ISAT) came up on a screen for shorts at the seminar. This share is not a happy one and isn't even going up on up days so I've shorted for a tenner at 551 targetting 400 initially then maybe 350.

Ocado (OCDO) came up with a dire statement, worse than I thought so I shorted some more getting another 30 at 191. No idea why it went up. A director has bought some which has pushed it back up. I can't see it's worth more than a quid and in very good profit now on the original short I made last week. Can't be long before it tanks properly. It looks to be like it is being held above the float price artificially.

I sold Sepura at 54.65 for a profit of £1,487 . The statement was inline and okay but there wasn't enough upbeat noises to keep me in for now but one to return to later this year probably.

Oh and for those that came to the seminar you may remember when we were going through the auto stops I have with Tradefair I'd lowered the ftse short stop into a profit and indeed it got hit on Sunday night at 5790 for a nice profit of nearly £250.

However I think I am going to take another short out as it would be no surprise if we test 5700 again.

I topsliced a bit of Molins to bank part profit, holding onto the rest, sold at 109 for a profit of 319.
PORTFOLIO HIGHLIGHTS

Recent buys do fine, well actually really fine now Charter has been bid for - my second bid this month after Laird - in fact both companies in real life together have made me quickfire profits of over £12,000.

Even better, if offers get raised both companies could make me even more than that, I would hope to close out both positions this summer with profits of more than £15,000. Fantastic!

I guess I hit a bit lucky with both you could say, but maybe you make your own luck?

Away from these two cracking results for me, Oxford Instruments goes well as it heads above 900. Hoping for at least a tenner there. Character has headed nicely higher too.

So does wonderful Microgen where I topped up. Microgen remains a cracker and some lovely profits of more than £20,000 for the site. What a lovely share this has been since I bought it live at a seminar at 45p. It holds its value and slowly advances. Up again today, and it has also paid out some nice dividends.

Ms International and Latchways have both climbed nicely.

Excellent statements from two longer-term holds today, Photo Me and Anite. Photo me appears to be finding some new markets and management seems right on the ball here. Into a very decent profit now on this one and after today's rise looks like an easy one to hold onto for more profit.

Nice report too from Anite, which didn't move much but that's because it already went up a lot before today's results. Great profit here and again with the great growth prospects worth holding on.

Long-term slightly boring hold Bioquel seems to be picking up new contracts and another one announced today and it is on the up, nearly topped up. Exillon my energy play has jumped a lot higher today after another encouraging well report. Also Porvair came up with good figures, I have doubled on that one now.

Telecom Plus as I suspected has gone quiet between 600 and 700. Day to day price action doesn't interest me and indeed I hardly ever glance at is as I think I'll be selling these shares one day in the 1500-2000 area. Just a question of waiting. Website profit for the shares must be well over £30,000 though I'm too lazy to add it up. Profits in real life are nearer £150,000.

Alternative Networks heads back up after the profit takers have done. This one I feel is a bit like Telecom Plus were barring an exceptional event it ought to carry on higher with profits and dividends just keep rising . I would expect them to hit 400 within a year.

Volex held very well when the market tanked and that is a good sign. it's on the rise again. Hyder has pushed on over 400 so resisted the urge to bank some nice profits. Capital Drill has started to rise again and keeps announcing contracts. A nice rise yesterday. Continues to look a nice long-term hold ignoring short-term fluctuations.

Gresham is quietly still going higher under the radar! It's gradually lifting unnoticed by the market, which is fine by me!

The short in Linkedin is going very well indeed with profits of over £2,000 already! It is shortable again with Tradefair who I used. And the Mothercare short remains in a good profit.
Entertainment One tries to rise but doesn't seem to want to go higher for now even though it came up with an excellent statement, Peppa Pig is booming in the USA and it looks alike a great share to hold onto long term. A library worth a fortune too. I reckon it will power up to 200 odd from here in time.

TT Electronics hasn't done much for me yet but 200p looks like becoming support.
London Capital Group can't seem to hit over 80p for now. The Vitec Group, an unsung hero of the portfolio reported great results and I'm up and over £4,000 profit here. Looks good for a few more points. Electrocomponents has been disappointing and it's heading towards a yellow.

Dialight can't crack the 750 though support in the low 700s. it is expanding into Japan. The website holds profits of nearly £40,000. In reality, as those who've come to seminars have seen, my profits actually way greater than this.

Similar story with Carclo this is a nice long-term hold where I have doubled my money. Avon Rubber holds well, already up more than 30% since buying recently, it has support now at 300. It's trying to push higher.

Kentz goes from strength to strength and is going to move to the main market and about time. Once it does will get some in my ISA. Until then happy to hold in a spreadbet where I'm in profit by over £5.000. It's weakened a bit but that is good as dying to get some in the isa! Affero top up was a disaster and it fell so fast I totally missed it. Terrible decision by me, the only upside is the other position together with the free shares are still nicely in profit.

Yule Catto has at last picked up after some poor days and looks like it has bottomed at 200 and seems very undervalued. It couldn't get over 230 though but picked up a dividend there. . BTG, long-termer continues to look good has nicely doubled and looks strong this week after another good statement.

Petrofac remains a core hold. Though easy for me to say that as I bought in the 350 area. Together with spinoff Enquest sees me sitting on profits of £30,000. I will be back with more on the markets next Wednesday
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 Wednesday afternoons under "Markets" section..