Last week was a positive affair for the world’s major markets with only the FTSE losing ground.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down on last week’s close by 2.2% at 7215.5; the Dax ended at 12519, up by 1.8% on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 2% to end the session at 5213.9.
The Dow ended the week up 2.2% to close at 22268. The Nasdaq composite index was up by 1.4% over the course of the week at 6448.5.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 3.3% to end the session at 19910.
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 $1.30123 to the Pound, a gain of 1.5% on the week. The Greenback strengthened against the Euro last week by 1.1% to close at $1.19092 to the Euro. The Dollar strengthened against the Japanese currency closing at 108.97 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 1.2% during the week.
The Euro was marginally stronger against the Yen ending at 129.77, a gain of 0.07% over the course of the week. It made ground against Sterling last week, rising by 0.41%, the close saw one £ buying €1.09262.
The Euro now buys 1.1407 CHF, a gain of 0.18% on the week.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $55.62 per barrel, a rise of 3.4% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold fell last week closing at $1320.4 per ounce, a loss of 2.1% on the week.