It was a good week for the world’s major stock exchanges with all of the major markets making gains.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up by 0.31%, it closed at 5940; the Dax ended at 7636.2, climbing by 0.52% over the course of the week; the CAC was up by 0.5% to end the session at 3661.4.
The Dow ended the week stronger to the tune of 0.43% at 13190.8. The Nasdaq composite index ended at 3021, climbing 1.7% over the course of the week.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading higher, gaining 2.1% to end the session at 9940.1, after the LDP won a landslide general election.
On the currency markets last week, the Euro saw the best of trading. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week closing at 1.61679 to the Pound, a fall of 0.17%. The Greenback also weakened against the Euro last week, losing 0.25% to close at 1.31659. The Dollar made ground against the Japanese currency, closing at 84.11248 to the Yen, a gain of 0.7% on the week.
The Euro strengthened against the Yen ending at 110.742, a gain of 1% over the course of the week. The Euro was essentially flat against Sterling over the course of the week, rising by 0.08%; the close saw one £ buying €1.22801.
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended lower, closing at $109.0 per barrel (for February delivery); a dip of 0.16% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was lower last week, closing at $1651.5 per ounce, representing a fall of 2.6% over last week’s value.
Forex Week in Review- Dec. 24, 2012
Dr. Mike Campbell is a British scientist and freelance writer. Mike got his doctorate in Ghent, Belgium and has worked in Belgium, France, Monaco and Austria since leaving the UK. As a writer, he specialises in business, science, medicine and environmental subjects.