Last week was a mixed affair for the world’s major markets.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down by 0.12 %, it closed at 6814.6; the Dax ended at 9581.5, up by 0.27% on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 0.43% to end the session at 4477.3.
The Dow ended the week up by 0.43% to close at 16583. The Nasdaq composite index ended down by 1.3% over the course of the week at 4071.9.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 1.8% to end the session at 14200.
Currency Markets Review
On the currency markets last week, the Yen saw the best of the trading. The Dollar was essentially unchanged against Sterling last week, closing at $1.6849 to the Pound; a gain of 0.08% over the week. The Greenback strengthened against the Euro last week by 0.72% to close at $1.3763 to the €. The Dollar was weaker against the Japanese currency, closing at 101.7 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 0.59% during the week.
The Euro weakened against the Yen ending at 140.0, a loss of 1.3% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week falling by 0.65%; the close saw one £ buying €1.2243.
Commodities Market Review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended lower at $107.9 per barrel (for June delivery), a fall of 0.64% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was higher last week, closing at $1291.3 per ounce, representing a gain of 0.78% over the previous week’s value.