Last week marked the final trading session of February from the perspective of these summaries. With the exception of the Nasdaq, all of the world’s major exchanges ended the week higher.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up by 0.12%, it closed at 6335.7 but fell by 0.18% over the month; the Dax ended at 7669.1, rising by 0.90% over the course of the week, but it fell by 2.2% in February; the CAC was up by 1.3% to end the session at 3706.3, but it, too, ended the month down, losing 1.8%.
The Dow ended the week higher to the tune of 0.13% at 14000.6, ending February virtually unchanged, down just 0.07%. The Nasdaq composite index ended at 3161.8, falling 0.95% over the course of the week and ending the week down by 0.54%.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading higher, making 1.9% to end the session at 11385.9, gaining 1.7% on the month.
Currency Markets Review
On the currency markets last week, the Yen saw the best of trading. The Dollar was stronger against Sterling last week, closing at 1.5257 to the Pound; a gain of 1.7% over the week and 3.1% over the month. The Greenback strengthened against the Euro last week making 1.5% to close at 1.3165, it made 3.8% in February. The Dollar lost ground against the Japanese currency, closing at 93.37 to the Yen, a loss of 0.3% on the week, but it strengthened by 0.9% over the month.
The Euro weakened against the Yen ending at 123.92, a loss of 1.7% over the course of the week and 3% on the month. The Euro gained against Sterling last week by 0.25%; the close saw one £ buying €1.1589, but it still lost 0.8% in February.
Commodities Market Review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended lower, closing at $114.1 per barrel (for April delivery); a fall of 3% over the course of the week’s trading and 2.3% on the month. The value of gold was lower last week, closing at $1576.5 per ounce, representing a loss of 2.2% over last week’s value and ending the month weaker by 5.5%.