The new year is almost upon us meaning it’s that time of year when large institutional investors, hedge funds and retail investors alike take stock of what they hold and where they should be positioning themselves heading into 2019.

So far this year we have seen the UK 100 index of UK-listed bluechip companies fall in-excess of 17% from May’s record highs.  This has seen stocks such as British American Tobacco fall by 48% (this year’s biggest UK Index faller), Lloyds fall by 30% to flirt with the psychological 50p level (lowest since the 2016 referendum July trough).

Precious metals miner Fresnillo has lost 40%. Telecom giant Vodafone is offside by 34%. This is just a selection from the top 10 worst performers of 2018.  The question you are probably asking yourself now is……which of these should I be considering picking up? Which of these could offer a January trading opportunity? Should I be positioning myself for some strategic buys, maybe even shorts?

The reason I ask is that new clients often highlight how much time trading can occupy and how they don’t want to stay glued to a computer screen all day. My response is simple – why would you? Here at Accendo Markets we have a team of analysts, (see Mike’s own blog for this week) sending out concise, factual and easy to read trading opportunities twice daily, focused on multiple trading strategies (e.g. breakouts, support, momentum and more). Some use this on its own, while use it in tandem with their own research.

So this is my New Year call to arms. Are you prepared to continue accepting your current broker’s basic service in 2019? Would you not prefer a premium  upgrade? Anonymous call centre or traditional broker service? Want to know key levels on stocks? No problem.

Need alerts about stock drops in-excess of 10/20/30%? Easy. Want a personalised broker service with an account manager monitoring your positioning? That’s our bread and butter.

If you answered yes to any of the above, then there’s no time like the present to begin positioning yourself for January and and the trading opportunities that lie in wait for 2019.

To take full advantage of our flexible research and trade ideas, click here to subscribe to our Gold Pass. Watching and hoping is not a trading strategy, so what will yours be for 2019? Could Accendo Markets be the answer?

One final thought from me. No one rings a bell at the top of bottom of the market. But you don’t need to call the top or bottom to make profitable trading decisions. Not when there are so many attractive share price movements on offer in between. Let other’s make the calls for a turn, while you trade the result.

I wish you all a profitable 2019!

Chris Peters, Senior Trader, 28 Dec 2018