By: Dr. Mike Campbell
Last week was a very positive affair for the world’s markets. Eurozone and EU leaders presented a plan which is designed to provide support to banks, provisions for further EU bailouts and an agreed haircut for banks that are Greek bond holders, should the need arise. In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE made 3.9% and closed at 5702.2, ending October up by 11%; the Dax ended the week at 6346.2, making 6.3% and recovering 15% over the month; the CAC rose by 5.6% to end the session at 3348.6 ending the month stronger by 12%.
The Dow ended the week up by 3.6% at 12231.1, making 12% in October. The Nasdaq composite index ended the week at 2737.2 climbing 3.8% over the week and strengthening by 13% over the month.
The Nikkei closed up over the course of the week, making 4.3% to end the trading session at 9050.5, a gain of 4% during the month.
Currency Markets Review
On the currency markets last week, unsurprisingly, the Euro had the best of the trading. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling, falling 1.3% and closing at 1.61028 to the Pound, a fall of 3.4% on the month. The Greenback weakened against the Euro last week, falling 2.6% to close at 1.4160, representing a fall of 4.9% over the month. The Dollar lost ground against the Japanese currency, closing at 75.7698 to the Yen, a loss of 1.2% on the week and a slip of 1.4% over October.
The Euro closed up against the Yen ending at 107.29, rising 1.4% over the course of the week and recovering 3.4% over the month. The Euro also was also up against Sterling over the course of the week by 1.3%; the close saw one £ buying 1.1372, a gain of 1.4% over the month.
Commodities Market Review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended marginally higher, closing at $109.91 per barrel (for December delivery); a rise of 0.32% over the course of the week’s trading, but a gain of 7% on the month. The value of gold rose last week, closing at $1741 per ounce, representing a gain of 6% over last week’s value and a hike of 7.5% over the month.