Last week saw all of the major stock markets fall, although the Nasdaq virtually stood still.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down by 2.6%, it closed at 6804.6; the Dax ended at 11197, down by 1.9% on last week’s close; the CAC was down by 1.7% to end the session at 4920.7.
The Dow ended the week down by 0.9% to close at 17849. The Nasdaq composite index ended down by 0.03% over the course of the week at 5068.5.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 0.5% to end the session at 20461.
Currency markets review
On the currency markets last week the Euro enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was stronger against Sterling last week closing at $1.5264 to the Pound, a gain of 0.09%. The Greenback fell against the Euro last week by 1.2% to close at $1.1115 to the €. The Dollar was stronger against the Japanese currency, closing at 125.6 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 1.3% during the week.
The Euro was stronger against the Yen ending at 139.6, a gain of 2.5% over the course of the week. It made ground against Sterling last week, rising by 1.2%; the close saw one £ buying €1.3738.
The Euro now buys 1.0444 CHF, a rise of 1% on the week.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $63.3 per barrel, a fall of 3.4% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was lower last week, closing at $1169.7 per ounce, a fall of 1.7% on the week.