Short selling the U.S. markets....

[femrap]

It has been a long time since I have looked at the stock market and options.

Can anyone offer any advice on what would be a good market index to short? And also what brokerage firm (online) that will allow me to do this.

Also...would like to get some euros or swiss francs....how the hell do I do that?

Last....any good web sites to go to that are discussing the frail state of our markets and economy?

Thx for any info you can provide!

[FloridaPat]

1. Here's some answers.

You can short the Dow through a stock called DIA - diamonds. Also has options. Any brokerage firm will allow you to short or buy puts if your can meet their requirements. The requirements are pretty much the same everywhere.

You can have a bank account in euros through http://www.everbank.com
Otherwise, see you bank. They charge a hefty fee for exchanging dollar.

You can also invest in euros through the stock FXE. As the dollar goes down, the stock goes up.

[Nite Owl]

2. I'm not short yet

waiting until the end of this week or next week but the QQQQ (Nasdaq 100 ETF) or the SPY (S&P) would be used to short those indices.

I have found the best brokerage to short is www.interactivebrokers.com

They never have trouble borrowing stock for you, they are fast and very inexpensive. I have never needed assistance but from what I hear you are pretty much on your own to learn the trading platform. You can open an account in various exchanges.

As far as sites I find that for the most part they confuse my trading, I just use the charts, it helps eliminate a lot of the noise.

[trof]

3. Can't use IRA money.

I don't think any brokerage will let you invest IRA money in options or shorts.
Have to take the money out, pay tax on it, and establish a separate trading account.
Which is why I haven't.
:-(