Last week was the final trading session for May from the perspective of these summaries. It was a positive affair for the world’s major markets with only the FTSE standing still.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was unchanged on last week’s close at 7547.6; the Dax ended at 12823, up by 1.8% on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 0.13% to end the session at 5343.4.
The Dow ended the week up by 0.6% to close at 21206. The Nasdaq composite index was up by 1.5% over the course of the week at 6305.8.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 2.2% to end the session at 20117.
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 $1.2885 to the Pound, a fall of 0.72% on the week. The Greenback weakened against the Euro last week by 0.91% to close at $1.1271 to the Euro. The Dollar weakened against the Japanese currency closing at 110.5 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 0.72% during the week.
The Euro was stronger against the Yen ending at 124.5, a rise of 0.18% over the course of the week. It made ground against Sterling last week, rising by 0.18%; the close saw one £ buying €1.1432.
The Euro now buys 1.0869 CHF, a fall of 0.2% on the week.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $49.95 per barrel, a fall of 4.2% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold rose last week closing at $1278.5 per ounce, a gain of 0.93% on the week.