FOREX: The Last Week’s Trading Activities In Perspective - 12 April 2010

By: Mike Campbell

Last week was a mixed one for the major stock markets with the best performance coming from the Nasdaq. In Europe over the course of last week, the FTSE put on 0.45%, closing at 5771; the CAC put on a similar amount closing up by 0.4% to end the session at 4050.5; the Dax rose by 0.23% ending the week at 6249.7.

The Dow ended the week up by 0.6%, finishing the trading session at 10997. The technology stock heavy Nasdaq ended the week up by a further 2.1%, closing at 2454.1.

The Nikkei closed down by 0.7% over the course of the week ending trading at 11204.

On the currency markets last week, the Dollar was mixed against other major currencies. Against the Euro, the US currency strengthened by 0.6% over the course of the week closing at 1.3384 to the Euro. The Greenback was weaker against the British Pound which has recovered some recent losses. It fell by 0.8%, closing at 1.53489 to the Pound. However, the Dollar closed at 93.65 to the Yen, a fall of 0.11% on the week.

The Euro had another poor week on the back of further doubts that the Greek debt situation may cause real problems for the Eurozone; although these fears had abated somewhat by the end of the week. It fell by 0.7% against the Yen closing at 125.34. The Euro also fell against Sterling over the week by 1.5%. The close saw one £ buying 1.14679€.

On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude was marginally higher, closing at $84.8 per barrel (for May delivery); a hike of 1% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold also appreciated; closing at 1151.2 $ per ounce, representing a gain of 2.1 %.