Last week was a positive one for the world’s major markets with all of them ending the week higher.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up by 3.8%, it closed at 7089.8; the Dax ended at 12375, up by 3.4% on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 3.3% to end the session at 5240.5.
The Dow ended the week up by 1.7% to close at 18058. The Nasdaq composite index ended up by 2.2% over the course of the week at 4996.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 2.4% to end the session at 19908.
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 $1.4646 to the Pound, a gain of 1.8%. The Greenback strengthened against the Euro last week by 3.6% to close at $1.0597 to the €. The Dollar was stronger against the Japanese currency, closing at 120.3 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 1.1% during the week.
The Euro weakened against the Yen ending at 127.5, a loss of 2.5% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 1.8%; the close saw one £ buying €1.3821.
The Euro now buys 1.0391 CHF, a loss of 0.56% on the week, markedly smaller than against other major currencies.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $57.9 per barrel, a rise of 5.3% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was lower last week, closing at $1194.8 per ounce, a loss of 0.31% on the week.