Last week was again largely positive for the major markets with only Japan’s Nikkei losing ground.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up by 1.5%, it closed at 6750.8; the Dax ended at 9732.6, up by 5.2% on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 3.4% to end the session at 4347.2.
The Dow ended the week up by 0.99% to close at 17810. The Nasdaq composite index ended up by 0.52% over the course of the week at 4713.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 0.76% to end the session at 17358.
Currency Markets Review
On the currency markets last week, for once, there was a dead-heat for the best of the trading between Sterling and the Dollar. The Dollar was absolutely flat against Sterling last week closing at $1.5656 to the Pound. The Greenback strengthened against the Euro last week by 0.8% to close at $1.2395 to the €. The Dollar was stronger against the Japanese currency, closing at 117.8 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 1.1% during the week.
The Euro strengthened against the Yen ending at 145.9, a gain of 0.25% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 0.92%; the close saw one £ buying €1.2645.
Commodities Market Review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended higher at $80.4 per barrel (for January delivery), a rise of 1.2% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was higher last week, closing at $1203.8 per ounce, a gain of 3%.