Last week was better for the world’s major markets with only the US markets slipping.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up by 0.21%, it closed at 6138.5; the Dax ended at 9952.9, up by 0.84% on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 0.44% to end the session at 4320.
The Dow ended the week down by 1.2% to close at 17535. The Nasdaq composite index ended down by 0.39% over the course of the week at 4717.7.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 1.9% to end the session at 16412.
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 $1.437 to the Pound, a rise of 0.46% on the week. The Greenback strengthened against the Euro last week by 1.1% to close at $1.1295 to the €. The Dollar was stronger against the Japanese currency, closing at 109.2 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 2.3% during the week.
The Euro was stronger against the Yen ending at 123.3, a gain of 1.2% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 0.64%; the close saw one £ buying €1.2723.
The Euro now buys 1.1019 CHF, a fall of 0.51% on the week.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $47.83 per barrel, a rise of 5.4% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was lower last week, closing at $1273.4 per ounce, a loss of 1.3% on the week.