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The markets found some renewed strength after last week’s aggressive cut in US interest rates, down now to just 3%, and the FTSE 100 responded by moving back above the psychologically important 6,000 barrier. This latest bout of enthusiasm may ease off a bit as we all await the next deluge of news about the global economy, but at least it’s handed our trading plays a welcome boost with a number of impressive gains chalked up.

In particular, our long position in platinum refiner Johnson Matthey (JMAT) hit its target, and we bagged a 9.15% profit as the price edged above £19.58 last Friday. We tipped the shares to respond favourably to strengthening platinum prices, which have surged in response to the power cuts and mine shut-downs in South Africa.

Turmoil in the country, with power shortages unlikely to end soon, raised concerns about South Africa’s economic growth, aiding another play of ours – dollar/rand. It has moved in our favour to the tune of a 3.45% profit, at SAR7.45.

Strength on Wall Street has bolstered shares in General Electric (GE:NYSE), up 4.17% to the current $35.74, while oil giant BP (BP.) is also performing well, bagging us a 3.73% profit at 542p.

Among the few disappointments this week is InterContinental Hotels (IHG), where the stock has shifted higher in spite of the bleak prospects for the US economy, largely thanks to mooted bid hopes supporting the price.