Friday marked the last full week in March and the end (for me anyway) of the first quarter of 2010 for these reviews. So it is time to look back at March and also see how things have changed over the quarter.
Last week saw all of the major stock markets closing higher compared to the where they stood at the beginning of March and also at the start of Q1. In Europe, the FTSE made 1.9% in March, closing at 5703 and showed a growth of 5.4% over Q1; the CAC made 2.1% over the month and ended Q1 stronger by 1.3% at 3988.9; the Dax put on 4.3% in the course of the month and ended the quarter up by 2.7% at 6120.1.
Last week saw all of the major stock markets closing higher compared to the where they stood at the beginning of March and also at the start of Q1. In Europe, the FTSE made 1.9% in March, closing at 5703 and showed a growth of 5.4% over Q1; the CAC made 2.1% over the month and ended Q1 stronger by 1.3% at 3988.9; the Dax put on 4.3% in the course of the month and ended the quarter up by 2.7% at 6120.1.
In the USA, the Dow ended the month up by a respectable 2.75% and was up by 4.1% over the quarter, finishing the trading session at 10850.4. The technology heavy Nasdaq again outshone its illustrious neighbour by putting on 3.1% last month, closing at 2395.1 and ending Q1 5.6% higher.
The Nikkei continued its recent consolidation, putting on a very healthy 6.2% over the course of March to close at 10996.4 and strengthened by 4.3% during the quarter.
On the currency markets the Dollar performed well last month and has recovered slightly over the course of the quarter. It regained significant strength against the Yen, ending the month 3.8% higher at 92.7 to the Dollar, making 0.5% over the quarter.
Against the Euro it strengthened by 1.7% over the month, closing at 1.3353, making 7.3% against the Euro over the course of Q1. The Greenback was stronger against the British Pound, gaining 1.4% in March to close at 1.4830 and making 8.6% over Q1.
Against the Euro it strengthened by 1.7% over the month, closing at 1.3353, making 7.3% against the Euro over the course of Q1. The Greenback was stronger against the British Pound, gaining 1.4% in March to close at 1.4830 and making 8.6% over Q1.
The Euro regained some ground against the Yen last month closing at 124.0, up by 2.1%. However, it slid by 6.9% during Q1. It was slightly stronger against Sterling in March, putting on 0.2%, but it ended the quarter 1.4% lower against the Pound. The close saw one £ buying 1.1106€.
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude oil was lower against last month’s mark closing at 79.29$ per barrel (for May delivery), the price of Brent crude fell by 0.73% during the month but ended the quarter up 1.8%.
The value of gold has continued to retreat, closing at 1100 $ per ounce and has dropped another 3.5% over the previous month’s close, but the precious metal still appreciated by 0.4% in the first quarter of 2010.
The value of gold has continued to retreat, closing at 1100 $ per ounce and has dropped another 3.5% over the previous month’s close, but the precious metal still appreciated by 0.4% in the first quarter of 2010.