Last week again saw all of the major markets regain some ground and the oil price edge upwards. It marked the final trading session of the month for the purposes of these summaries – despite Monday’s leap day.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up by 2.5%, it closed at 6096, making a 4.2% recovery over the month; the Dax ended at 9513.3, up by 1.3% on last week’s close and regaining 2.5% in February; the CAC was up by 2.2% to end the session at 4314.6, recovering 2.7% over the month.
The Dow ended the week up by 1.5% to close at 16640,rising by 2.7% over the month. The Nasdaq composite index ended up by 1.9% over the course of the week at 4590.5, regaining 5.2% in February.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 2.2% to end the session at 16188, but it fell a further 3.8% in February.
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 $1.3868 to the Pound, a gain of 3.3% on the week and 4.1% on the month. The Greenback rose against the Euro last week by 1.8% to close at $1.0931 to the €, gaining 1.8% in February. The Dollar was stronger against the Japanese currency, closing at 113.8 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 1.2% during the week, but slipping by 2.7% on the month.
The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 124.4, a loss of 0.6% over the course of the week and 4.5% in February. It made ground against Sterling last week, rising by 1.6%; the close saw one £ buying €1.2687, gaining 2.4% in February.
The Euro now buys 1.0895 CHF, a loss of 1% on the week and 1.5% over the month.
Commodities Market Review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $35. 1 per barrel, a gain of 6.3% over the course of the week’s trading and 3% over the month. The value of gold was lower last week, closing at $1222.9 per ounce, a fall of 0.61% on the week, but representing a rally of 4.2% over the month.