Last week saw all of the world’s major markets making ground with the exception of the CAC which was essentially unchanged.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up by 0.7%, it closed at 6825.2; the Dax ended at 9987.2, up by 0.75% on last week’s close; the CAC was down by 0.04% to end the session at 4541.3.
The Dow ended the week up by 1% to close at 16947. The Nasdaq composite index ended up by 1.3% over the course of the week at 4368.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 1.7% to end the session at 15349.
Currency Markets Review
On the currency markets last week, the Euro saw the best of the trading. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week, closing at $1.7011 to the Pound; a fall of 0.34% over the week. The Greenback weakened against the Euro last week by 0.72% to close at $1.3621 to the €. The Dollar was marginally stronger against the Japanese currency, closing at 102.1 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 0.07% during the week.
The Euro strengthened against the Yen ending at 138.7, a gain of 0.51% over the course of the week. It made ground against Sterling last week rising by 0.17%; the close saw one £ buying €1.2516.
Commodities Market Review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended higher at $114.8 per barrel (for August delivery), a gain of 1.6% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was higher last week, closing at $1312.5 per ounce, a gain of 3.1%.