By: Dr. Mike Campbell
Last week was another mixed affair for the world’s major stock markets. Only the Dow and CAC managed to close up. In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE shed 1.8%, closing at 5896.3; the Dax fell by 0.19% to close at 7062.4; the CAC
gained 0.86% to end the session at 4017.5.
The Dow ended the week higher to the tune of 0.72%, finishing the trading session at 11872. The Nasdaq ended the week lower, shedding 2.4% to close at 2689.5.
The Nikkei closed down by 2.1% over the course of the week to end the trading session at 10275.
On the currency markets last week, the Euro again enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling by 0.77%, closing at 1.5995 to the Pound. The Greenback was weaker against the Euro falling by 1.9%, to close at 1.35797. The
Dollar also weakened against the Japanese currency to close at 82.67 to the Yen, a slip of 0.42%.
The Euro closed up against the Yen ending at 112.26, making 1.5% over the course of the week. The Euro made ground against Sterling over the course of the week by 1.1%. The close saw one £ buying 1.1779.
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude was lower, closing at $97.6 per barrel (for March delivery); a fall of 1.1% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold relaxed further last week, closing at 1346 per ounce; representing a fall of 2% over last week’s value.