By: Dr. Mike Campbell
Last week was another mixed affair for the world’s major markets with slight losses and modest gains recorded.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE fell by 0.4% and closed at 5887.5; the Dax ended the week at 6880.2, slipping 0.59% over the week; the CAC also fell, falling 0.39% to end the session at 3487.5.
The Dow ended the week down to the tune of 0.43% at 12922. The Nasdaq composite index ended the week at 2988.3, making 0.41% over the week.
The Nikkei closed up over the course of the week’s trading, making 1.6% to end the trading session at 9929.7.
Currency Markets Review
On the currency markets last week, the Dollar saw the best of trading. The Dollar was stronger against Sterling, rising 0.59% and closing at 1.57796 to the Pound. The Greenback strengthened against the Euro last week, climbing 0.2% to close at 1.3191. The Dollar made further ground against the Japanese currency, closing at 81.8209 to the Yen, a gain of 0.37% on the week.
The Euro strengthened against the Yen ending at 107.93, a gain of 0.19% over the course of the week. The Euro was stronger against Sterling over the course of the week, rising by 0.39%; the close saw one £ buying 1.19624.
Commodities Market Review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended higher, closing at $127 per barrel (for April delivery); a rise of 2.7% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold fell last week, closing at $1687.5 per ounce, representing a loss of 1.1% over last week’s value.