Last week’s trading was another mixed affair on the world’s major markets.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down by 0.39%, it closed at 6708.4; the Dax ended at 9078.3 rising by 0.78% over the course of the week; the CAC was down by 0.3% to end the session at 4260.4. The Dow ended the week higher, gaining 0.94% to end at 15762. The Nasdaq composite index ended at 3919.2, slipping by just 0.07% over the course of the week. The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 0.81% to end the session at 14087.
Currency Markets Review
On the currency markets last week, Sterling saw the best of the trading with the Euro falling back on the surprise news of an ECB interest rate cut. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week, closing at $1.5994 to the Pound; a loss of 0.48% over the week. The Greenback strengthened against the Euro last week by 0.94% to close at $1.3356 to the €. The Dollar was stronger against the Japanese currency, closing at 99.0 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 0.26% during the week.
The Euro fell against the Yen ending at 132.3, a loss of 0.68% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week falling by 1.4%; the close saw one £ buying €1.1975
Commodities Market Review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended lower, at $105.1 per barrel (for December delivery); a fall of 0.75% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was lower last week, closing at $1285.5 per ounce, representing a fall of 1.6% over the previous week’s value.