Last week was a positive affair for the world’s major markets with the one exception of the Dow.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up by 1%, it closed at 7031.3; the Dax ended at 11815, up by 3.2% on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 3% to end the session at 5142.9.
The Dow ended the week down by 0.22% to close at 18232. The Nasdaq compoite index ended up by 0.81% over the course of the week at 5089.4.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 2.7% to end the session at 20264.
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 $1.5678 to the Pound, a gain of 0.6%. The Greenback rose against the Euro last week by 1.7% to close at $1.14064 to the €. The Dollar was stronger against the Japanese currency, closing at 120.8 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 1.2% during the week.
The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 134.7, a loss of 1.1% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 1.7%; the close saw one £ buying €1.4065.
The Euro now buys 1.0422 CHF, a rise of 0.1% on the week.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $65.4 per barrel, a fall of 2.2% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was higher lower last week, closing at $1205.7 per ounce, a fall of 1.6% on the week.