Last week saw all of the world’s major markets slipping, with the exception of the Nasaq. The markets fell as a result of the Federal Reserve’s decision to leave interest rates unchanged and continuing disquiet over the slowing Chinese economy, however, there are signs that this has now been “priced-in”.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down by 0.22%, it closed at 6104.1; the Dax ended at 9916.2, down by 2.1% on last week’s close; the CAC was down by 0.28% to end the session at 4535.9.
The Dow ended the week down by 0.29% to close at 16385. The Nasdaq composite index ended up by 0.1% over the course of the week at 4827.2.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 1.1% to end the session at 18070.
Currency markets review
On the currency markets last week, Sterling enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week closing at $1.5571 to the Pound, a fall of 0.92%. The Greenback fell against the Euro last week by 0.16% to close at $1.1357 to the €. The Dollar was weaker against the Japanese currency, closing at 119.8 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 0.67% during the week.
The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 136.1, a loss of 0.51% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 0.76%; the close saw one £ buying €1.3711.
The Euro now buys 1.092 CHF, a loss of 1.1% on the week.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $47.47 per barrel, a fall of 1.4% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was higher last week, closing at $1138.5 per ounce, a gain of 3.2% on the week.