By: Dr. Mike Campbell
Last week was a 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 5911.1; the Dax ended the week at 6921.4, making 0.83% over the week; the CAC also climbed, gaining 0.98% to end the session at 3501.2.
The Dow ended the week down, just, to the tune of 0.04% at 12977.6. The Nasdaq composite index ended the week at 2976.2, making 0.42% over the week.
The Nikkei closed up over the course of the week’s trading, making 1.3% to end the trading session at 9777.
Currency Markets Review
On the currency markets last week, Sterling saw the best of trading. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling, falling 0.37% and closing at 1.58725 to the Pound. The Greenback strengthened against the Euro last week, climbing 1.5% to close at 1.3217. The Dollar made further ground against the Japanese currency, closing at 81.5162 to the Yen, a gain of 1.2% on the week.
The Euro fell back against the Yen ending at 107.74, a slip of 0.23% over the course of the week. The Euro was weaker against Sterling over the course of the week, sliding by 1.9%; the close saw one £ buying 1.20091.
Commodities Market Review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended lower, closing at $123.7 per barrel (for April delivery); a fall of 1.5% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold fell last week, closing at $1707 per ounce, representing a loss of 4% over last week’s value.