Last week saw all the world’s major stock markets recovering some ground, partially reversing the falls of recent weeks.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up by 1.2%, it closed at 6388.7; the Dax ended at 8987.8, up by 1.6% on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 2.4% to end the session at 4128.9.
The Dow ended the week up by 2.6% to close at 16805. The Nasdaq composite index ended up by 5.3% over the course of the week at 4483.7.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 5.2% to end the session at 15292.
Currency Markets Review
On the currency markets last week, Sterling saw the best of the trading, just. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week closing at $1.6097 to the Pound; a loss of 0.07% over the week. The Greenback strengthened against the Euro last week by 0.62% to close at $1.2674 to the €. The Dollar was stronger against the Japanese currency, closing at 108.1 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 1.3% during the week.
The Euro strengthened against the Yen ending at 137, a gain of 0.62% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 0.7%; the close saw one £ buying €1.2701.
Commodities Market Review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended marginally lower at $86.1 per barrel (for December delivery), a fall of 0.03% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was lower last week, closing at $1232.8 per ounce, a loss of 0.12%.