The world’s major markets were trading at least marginally higher last week, for a change.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up on last week’s close by 0.1%, it closed at 7020.5; the Dax ended at 10711, up by 1.2% on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 1.5% to end the session at 4536.1.
The Dow ended the week up (just) by 0.04% to close at 18146. The Nasdaq composite index was up by 0.11% over the course of the week at 5257.4.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 2% to end the session at 17185.
Currencies
On the currency markets last week the Yen enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week closing at $1.2211 to the Pound, a loss of 0.17% on the week. The Greenback strengthened against the Euro last week by 0.93% to close at $1.0869 to the Euro. The Dollar was weaker against the Japanese currency, closing at 103.9 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 0.29% during the week.
The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 113, a loss of 1.2% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 1.1%; the close saw one £ buying €1.1235.
The Euro now buys 1.081 CHF, a loss of 0.48% on the week.
Commodities
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $51 per barrel, a loss of 1.8% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold rose last week, closing at $1265.6 per ounce, a gain of 1.3%.