I’m away for the Christmas holidays and looking forward to the break. I haven’t traded recently and have no intention of doing so until the New Year. My supposition is still that after a Christmas rally which could take the FTSE 100 to 5,500 there will be a slow down in January and cliff dive in March 2010 (4,500 FTSE100).

The fundamentals still don’t add up and once the Christmas spirit has worn off the hangover could start to kick in. Many will say this is just the perma-bear in me but I have been patiently following the markets recently and waiting for my entry. The FTSE 100 has been struggling at these heights and whilst there are good indicators my common sense approach i.e. what I see in the shops tells me that year end isn’t going to see stellar growth and usher in a new wave of spending.

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Total Profit Week: 0.00
Account Total : 11,651.55

It’s been a few months since I last traded and the reasons are many. The reason I still haven’t traded is one of time and confidence. On the time front I have a heavy workload and a fantastic newborn son to play with. Both of these are keeping me for giving a 100% to my market analysis but I’m not complaining. This time away has taught me more about relaxing, patience timing and the markets ability to surprise. It’s been time well spent.

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This book doesn’t quite fit the whole spread betting theme but it does provide a fascinating insight into the mind of a gifted and inspired visionary. Now I know Alan Greenspan is getting a bit of a hard time lately being branded the scapegoat for the subprime crisis. However this man presided over the financial system of the United States through some of the most problematic periods in economic history. His legacy may now be slightly blemished but his wisdom and insight are as valuable now as they were then.

The book leads you through his life from his earlier years in a nostalgic and eloquent manner as you might expect. It is a personal memoir that makes you feel a part of it, giving you the sense that he is speaking to you over a whiskey by the fire. This tone is carried through the first half of the book as he discusses his love of numbers and music. An endearing tale of a man who had strong personal values and a firm belief in himself which is what led him through his earlier years.

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