Last week was a mixed affair for the world’s major markets.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up on last week’s close by 1.9% at 7435.4; the Dax ended at 12770, up by 0.42% on last week’s close; the CAC was down by 0.5% to end the session at 5405.4.
The Dow ended the week down by 0.52% to close at 20897. The Nasdaq composite index was up by 0.34% over the course of the week at 6121.2.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 2.3% to end the session at 19884.
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 $1.288 to the Pound, a rise of 0.53%. The Greenback strengthened against the Euro last week by 0.61% to close at $1.0927 to the Euro. The Dollar strengthened against the Japanese currency closing at 113.3 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 0.59% during the week.
The Euro was marginally weaker against the Yen ending at 123.8, a fall of 0.02% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 0.15%; the close saw one £ buying €1.1787.
The Euro now buys 1.0935 CHF, a rise of 0.7% on the week.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $50.84 per barrel, a rise of 3.5% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold fell last week closing at $1226.7 per ounce, a fall of 0.11% on the week.