Last week was a mixed affair for the world’s major markets with the Nikkei returning to a weekly positive result for the first time this year.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was higher by 2.6%, it closed at 6838.1; the Dax ended at 9657, essentially flat, slipping by 0.06% on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 0.94% to end the session at 4381.1.
The Dow ended the week down by 0.32% to end at 16103. The Nasdaq composite index ended up by 0.46% over the course of the week at 4263.4.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by a 3.9% to end the session at 14866, reversing this month’s losses.
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 $1.6626 to the Pound; a gain of 0.66% over the week. The Greenback weakened against the Euro last week by 0.25% to close at $1.3725 to the €. The Dollar was climbed against the Japanese currency, closing at 102.7 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 0.89% during the week.
The Euro was stronger against the Yen ending at 141, a rise of 1.1% over the course of the week. It made ground against Sterling last week climbing by 0.9%; the close saw one £ buying €1.2114.
Commodities Market Review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended higher, at $109.9 per barrel (for April delivery); a rise of 0.71% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was higher last week, closing at $1323.3 per ounce, representing a rise of 0.25% over the previous week’s value.