Last week’s trading was another mixed affair for the world’s major markets with markets essentially flat or closing lower. In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was unchanged, making just 0.02%, it closed at 6651.9; the Dax ended at 9172.4 falling by 2.5% over the course of the week; the CAC was down by 3.9% to end the session at 4129.4. The Dow ended the week lower, slipping by 0.41% to end at 16020. The Nasdaq composite index ended essentially unchanged at 4062.5, rising by just 0.06% over the course of the week. The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 2.3% to end the session at 15300.
Currency Markets Review
On the currency markets last week, the Euro saw the best of the trading. The Dollar was stronger against Sterling last week, closing at $1.6338 to the Pound; a gain of 0.21% over the week. The Greenback weakened against the Euro last week by 0.65% to close at $1.3692 to the €. The Dollar was stronger against the Japanese currency, closing at 102.9 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 0.4% during the week. The Euro rose against the Yen ending at 140.8, a gain of 1.1% over the course of the week. It made ground against Sterling last week rising by 0.85%; the close saw one £ buying €1.1933.
Commodities Market Review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended higher, at $111.6 per barrel (for January delivery); a rise of 0.84% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was lower last week, closing at $1233 per ounce, representing a fall of 1.6% over the previous week’s value.