Last week was another mixed affair for the world’s major markets with the Nasdaq and Nikkei retreating.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up on last week’s close by 1.3% at 7394; the Dax ended at 13154, 2.3% up on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 1.6% to end the session at 5399.1.
The Dow ended the week up by 0.4% to close at 24329. The Nasdaq composite index was down by 0.11% over the course of the week at 6840.1.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down, just, by 0.04% to end the session at 22811.
Currency markets review
On the currency markets last week, the Dollar enjoyed the best of the trading on the back of Republican tax reforms. The Dollar was stronger against Sterling last week closing at $1.3367 to the Pound, a rise of 1.1% on the week. The Greenback strengthened against the Euro last week by 1.3% to close at $1.1763 to the Euro. The Dollar strengthened against the Japanese currency closing at 113.6 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 1.6% during the week.
The Euro was stronger against the Yen ending at 133.6, a gain of 0.27% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week, slipping by 0.21%, the close saw one £ buying €1.1364.
The Euro now buys 1.1677 CHF, a gain of 0.47% on the week.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $63.4 per barrel, a fall of 0.52% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold fell last week closing at $1245.9 per ounce, a drop of 2.6%.