Hi

well another day that started with so much promise and has turned into a damp squid! I think the FTSE was showing +40 or so when I left this morning and has finished a sorry 5682, some 50 points down on the day...

My portfolio is predominantly red again; however the amazing thing is that I've ended the day at £905 (about £140 profit) which is exactly how I started this morning (go figure?). Anyway I'm not complaining; it's been a very disappointing day on the markets and I've broken even. In theory a reasonable day tomorrow will bump up my profits considerably - famous last words I know!!

Best performers today:

1. IQE PLC up 1 point (5 x contracts)
2. PETRA DIAMONDS LTD up 1 point (4 x contracts)
3. RED ROCK RESOURCES PLC up 0.75 point (3 x contracts)

Worst performers today:

1. ENCORE OIL PLC down 5.5 points (2 x contracts)
2. NAUTICAL PETROLEUM PLC down 4 points (1 x contract)
3. PETRONEFT down 3 points (3 x contracts)

This has been a very frustrating few months because the markets seem to be in a bit of a rut, as is my portfolio. At least, for the moment anyway, I'm managing to keep in profit...

I currently have 48 open positions of which 26 are 'blue' and showing fair to good levels of profit. The only share I have which is close to stopping out is ENCORE OIL PLC; I think this may be saying goodbye tomorrow!

By the way one contract executed today: RED ROCK RESOURCES PLC (BUY 17.25 @ £5/point, stop set at 13.25).

Fingers crossed for tomorrow!

Big Al