Friday marked the final trading session of the week and for the month of October from the perspective of these summaries. The major stock markets all finished the week lower, with the exception of the Nikkei.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down by 1.5%, it closed at 5806.7, it declined by 1.1% over the month; the Dax ended at 7231.9, falling by 2% over the course of the week and by 2.2% in October; the CAC was down by 2% to end the session at 3435.1, dropping 0.63% over the course of the month’s trading.
The Dow ended the week weaker lower to the tune of 1.8 % at 13107.2, it fell by3.7% over the month. The Nasdaq composite index ended at 2988, shedding 0.59% over the course of the week and 4.7% in October.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading higher, rising by 2.9% to end the session at 8933.1, making 0.79% during the month.
Currency Markets Review
On the currency markets last week, the Pound saw the best of trading. The Dollar weakened against Sterling, falling 0.59% and closing at 1.60949 to the Pound, but it gained 0.6% during the month. The Greenback was stronger against the Euro last week, making 0.63% to close at 1.29357, gaining 0.9% over the month. The Dollar made ground against the Japanese currency, closing at 79.6528 to the Yen, a gain of 0.5% on the week and 1.3% in October.
The Euro weakened against the Yen ending at 103.0362, a slip of 0.13% over the course of the week, but it strengthened by 0.3% over the month. The Euro was also weaker against Sterling over the course of the week, falling by 1.2%; the close saw one £ buying 1.24423, Sterling gained 0.3% during the month.
Commodities Market Review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended lower, closing at $109.6 per barrel (for December delivery); a fall of 2.6% over the course of the week’s trading and 2.1% over the month. The value of gold was lower last week, closing at $1716 per ounce, representing a loss of 1.2% over last week’s value and 3.8% over October.