By: Dr. Mike Campbell
Most of the world’s major stock markets closed lower, compared to how they stood last week. In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE gained 0.5%, closing at 5158.9 and was the only major market to remain positive; the Dax fell by 0.4% ending the week at 6040.3; the CAC dipped by 1.5% to end the session at 3500.2.
The Dow ended the week down by 1%, finishing the trading session at 10098. The Nasdaq ended the week lower by 0.8 %; closing at 2179.1.
The Nikkei closed down by 1.9% over the course of the week, ending trading at 9408.4.
On the currency markets last week, the Dollar was the loser. The Dollar was lower against Sterling by 1.7% closing at 1.5378 to the Pound. The Greenback was weaker against the Euro dipping by 2.9%, to close at 1.300. The Dollar was lower against the Japanese currency at 86.5692 to the Yen, a slip of 2.2% on the week.
The Euro strengthened against the Yen closing at 112.54, gaining 0.6%. The Euro recovered further against Sterling over the week by 1.1%. The close saw one £ buying 1.18294€.
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude was flat, closing at $75.4 per barrel (for September delivery); a dip of 0.07% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold weakened marginally to 1208.8 per ounce, representing a gain of 0.86% over last week’s value.