Last week was again mixed for the world’s major markets with the Dax and the Dow Jones slipping.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up by 0.29%, it closed at 6156.3; the Dax ended at 9916, down by 0.37% on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 0.78% to end the session at 4353.9.
The Dow ended the week down by 0.19% to close at 17501. The Nasdaq composite index ended up by 1.1% over the course of the week at 4769.6.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 2% to end the session at 16736.
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 $1.4512 to the Pound, a fall of 0.99% on the week. The Greenback strengthened against the Euro last week by 0.76% to close at $1.1209 to the €. The Dollar was stronger against the Japanese currency, closing at 110.6 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 1.3% during the week.
The Euro was stronger against the Yen ending at 123.9, a gain of 0.49% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 1.8%; the close saw one £ buying €1.2948.
The Euro now buys 1.1117 CHF, a gain of 0.89% on the week.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $48.72 per barrel, a rise of 1.9% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was lower last week, closing at $1255.4 per ounce, a loss of 1.4% on the week.