It was another mixed week on the world’s major markets with US and Japanese markets gaining, but European markets falling back.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was lower by 1.4%, it closed at 6712.7; the Dax ended at 9350.8, down by 3.5% on last week’s close; the CAC was down by 0.95% to end the session at 4366.4.
The Dow ended the week up by 0.8% to end at 1645. The Nasdaq composite index ended up by 0.65% over the course of the week at 4336.2.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 2.9% to end the session at 15274.
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 $1.6723 to the Pound; a gain of 0.15% over the week. The Greenback weakened against the Euro last week by 0.44% to close at $1.3868 to the €. The Dollar was stronger against the Japanese currency, closing at 103.4 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 1.2% during the week.
The Euro was stronger against the Yen ending at 143.3, a gain of 1.7% over the course of the week. It made ground against Sterling last week rising by 0.58%; the close saw one £ buying €1.2059.
Commodities Market Review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended unchanged, at $109 per barrel (for April delivery); a fall of 0.06% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was higher last week, closing at $1335.3 per ounce, representing a rise of 0.66% over the previous week’s value.