Last week was another mixed affair for the world’s major markets. The oil price continued to consolidate further, strengthening speculation that the price has bottomed out.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up by 0.81%, it closed at 6189.6; the Dax ended at 9950.8, up by 1.2% on last week’s close; the CAC was down by 0.67% to end the session at 4462.5.
The Dow ended the week up by 2.3% to close at 17602. The Nasdaq composite index ended up by 0.99% over the course of the week at 4795.7.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 1.2% to end the session at 16743.
Currency Markets Review
On the currency markets last week the Yen enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week closing at $1.4510 to the Pound, a loss of 0.58% on the week. The Greenback fell against the Euro last week by 0.96% to close at $1.1291 to the €. The Dollar was weaker against the Japanese currency, closing at 111.4 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 2% during the week.
The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 125.8, a loss of 1% over the course of the week. It made ground against Sterling last week, rising by 0.38%; the close saw one £ buying €1.2851.
The Euro now buys 1.0934 CHF, a loss of 0.41% on the week.
Commodities Market Review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $41.2 per barrel, a gain of 2% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was higher last week, closing at $1257.1 per ounce, a gain of 0.62% on the week.