Last week saw all of the major markets making ground with the exception the Nikkei which has continued to fall since the New Year.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was higher by 1.4%, it closed at 6663.6; the Dax ended at 9662.4, gaining by 3.9% on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 2.7% to end the session at 4340.1.
The Dow ended the week higher by 2.3% to end at 16154. The Nasdaq composite index ended up by 2.9% over the course of the week at 4244.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by a further 1% to end the session at 14313.
Currency Markets Review
On the currency markets last week, Sterling, saw the best of the trading. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week, closing at $1.6737 to the Pound; a fall of 2.1% over the week. The Greenback weakened against the Euro last week by 0.58% to close at $1.3691 to the €. The Dollar was slipped against the Japanese currency, closing at 101.8 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 0.46% during the week.
The Euro was stronger against the Yen ending at 139.4, a rise of 0.12% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week falling by 1.5%; the close saw one £ buying €1.2224.
Commodities Market Review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended lower, at $109.1 per barrel (for April delivery); a fall of 0.45% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was higher last week, closing at $1320 per ounce, representing a rise of 4.8% over the previous week’s value.