Last week marked the final trading session for April. All of the world’s major markets made gains over the course of the week.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up on last week’s close by 1.3% at 7230.9 it slipped by 2% in April however; the Dax ended at 12438, up by 3.2% on last week’s close and by 1.7% over the month; the CAC was up by 4.1% to end the session at 5267.3 making a gain of 2.6% in April.
The Dow ended the week up by 1.9% to close at 20941, making 1.4% over the month. The Nasdaq composite index was up by 2.3% over the course of the week at 6047.6, rising by 2.9% on the month
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 3.1% to end the session at 19197 ending April stronger by 2.9%.
Currency markets review
On the currency markets last week the Euro enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week closing at $1.2937 to the Pound, a fall of 1.2% on the week and 4.4% in April. The Greenback weakened against the Euro last week by 1.9% to close at $1.0895 to the Euro, slipping by 2.6% over the month. The Dollar strengthened against the Japanese currency closing at 111.4 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 2.2% during the week and 0.61% in April
The Euro was stronger against the Yen ending at 121.4, a gain of 4.1% over the course of the week and 3.3% in April. It made ground against Sterling last week, rising by 0.63%; the close saw one £ buying €1.1874, but it fell by 1.7% on the month.
The Euro now buys 1.0831 CHF, a rise of 1.4% on the week and 1.4% in April.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $52.05 per barrel, a rise of 0.17% over the course of the week’s trading, but a fall of 5.8% on the month. The value of gold fell last week closing at $1267.2 per ounce, a fall of 1.6% on the week, but a gain of 1.1% over the month.