Last week was another largely positive for the major markets with only the US’s Nasdaq losing ground.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up by 0.3%, it closed at 6742.8; the Dax ended at 10087, up by 1.1% on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 0.67% to end the session at 4419.5.
The Dow ended the week up by 0.73% to close at 17959. The Nasdaq composite index ended down by 0.23% over the course of the week at 4780.8.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 2.6% to end the session at 17920.
Currency Markets Review
On the currency markets last week the Dollar enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was stronger against Sterling last week closing at $1.5637 to the Pound, a gain of 0.45%. The Greenback strengthened against the Euro last week by 1.1% to close at $1.2305 to the €. The Dollar was stronger against the Japanese currency, closing at 120.1 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 1.5% during the week.
The Euro strengthened against the Yen ending at 149.4, a gain of 1.5% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 0.46%; the close saw one £ buying €1.2677.
Commodities Market Review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $69.1 per barrel (for January delivery), a fall of 1.5% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was higher last week, closing at $1194 per ounce, a rise of 0.95%.