By: Mike Campbell
Most of the major stock markets closed marginally higher at the end of last week’s trading session with the best performance coming from the Dow Jones. In Europe over the course of last week, the FTSE put on 0.4%, closing at 5650.1; the CAC was essentially unchanged falling by less than 0.1% to end the session at 3925.3 and the Dax rose by 0.6% ending the week at 5982.4.
The Dow ended the week up by 1.1%, finishing the trading session at 10742. The Nasdaq ended the week up by 0.3%, closing at 2374.4.
The Nikkei closed higher by 0.7% over the course of the week ending trading at 10825.
On the Forex markets last week, the USD was higher against other major currencies. Against the Euro, the US currency strengthened by 1.6% over the course of the week closing at 1.3548 to the Euro. The Greenback was marginally stronger against the British Pound by 0.06% closing at 1.5146 to the Pound. The Dollar closed at 90.685 to the Yen, a rise of 0.2% on the week.
The Euro had a poor week on the back of continuing uncertainty on the Greek, debt situation and fell by 1.4% against the Yen closing at 122.86. It fell against Sterling over the week by 1.5%. The close saw one £ buying 1.11794€.
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude was largely unchanged, closing at $79.9 per barrel (for May delivery); a hike of 0.6% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold also appreciated; closing at 1126 $ per ounce, representing a gain of 1.4%.