Last week saw all of the world’s major markets in significant falls again as investors react to weak economic data from China and lack-lustre US job creation figures.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down by 3.3%, it closed at 6042.9; the Dax ended at 10038, down by 2.5% on last week’s close; the CAC was down by 6.6% to end the session at 4631.
The Dow ended the week down by 3.3% to close at 16102. The Nasdaq composite index ended down by 3% over the course of the week at 4683.9.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 7% to end the session at 17792.
Currency markets review
On the currency markets last week, the Yen enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was stronger against Sterling last week closing at $1.5195 to the Pound, a gain of 1.1%. The Greenback rose against the Euro last week by 0.47% to close at $1.1112 to the €. The Dollar was weaker against the Japanese currency, closing at 119.1 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 1.9% during the week.
The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 132.4, a loss of 2.4% over the course of the week. It made ground against Sterling last week, rising by 0.59%; the close saw one £ buying €1.3669.
The Euro now buys 1.0840 CHF, a gain of 0.85% on the week.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $49.6 per barrel, a fall of 0.88% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was lower last week, closing at $1120.7 per ounce, a fall of 1% on the week.