By: Dr. Mike Campbell
Last week saw all of the world’s major stock close higher than they had started the week. In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE made 0.22%, closing at 984.3; the Dax rose by 0.49% to close at 6947.8; the CAC gained 0.38% to end the session at 3865.6.
The Dow ended the week higher to the tune of 0.91%, finishing the trading session at 11675. The Nasdaq ended the week higher, making 1.5% to close at 2703.2.
The Nikkei closed up by 3. 1% over the course of the week to end the trading session at 10541.
On the currency markets last week, Sterling had the best of the trading. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling by 0.22%, closing at 1.55577 to the Pound. The Greenback was stronger against the Euro making 3.1%, to close at 1.2943. The Dollar strengthened against the Japanese currency to close at 83.06 to the Yen, a rise of 2.2%.
The Euro closed down against the Yen ending at 107.51, dropping 1.1% over the course of the week. The Euro lost ground against Sterling over the course of the week by 3.5%. The close saw one £ buying 1.202.
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude was higher, closing at $93.8 per barrel (for February delivery); a rise of 0.78% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold relaxed last week, closing at 1374 per ounce; representing a fall of 2.7% over last week’s value.