The first full week’s trading of 2014 is now behind us. It was a mixed affair for the major markets with some falling, some gaining and some standing essentially unchanged.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was marginally higher by 0.14%, it closed at 6739.9; the Dax ended at 9473.2 rising by 0.4% over the course of the week; the CAC was essentially unchanged, rising by 0.07% to end the session at 4250.6.
The Dow ended the week lower, slipping by 0.2% to end at 16437. The Nasdaq composite index ended stronger by 1% over the course of the week at 4174.7.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 2.3% to end the session at 15912.
Currency Markets Review
On the currency markets last week, the Euro saw the best of the trading, but only just, making a marginal gain against the Yen. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week, closing at $1.6470 to the Pound; a fall of 0.31% over the week. The Greenback weakened against the Euro last week by 0.43% to close at $1.3664 to the €. The Dollar was weaker against the Japanese currency, closing at 104.1 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 0.41% during the week.
The Euro was essentially unchanged against the Yen ending at 142.2, a gain of 0.02% over the course of the week. It made ground against Sterling last week rising by 0.12%; the close saw one £ buying €1.2054.
Commodities Market Review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended higher, at $107.3 per barrel (for February delivery); a gain of 0.34% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was higher last week, closing at $1244.3 per ounce, representing a rise of 0.79% over the previous week’s value.