Last week was a negative affair for the world’s major stock markets with all of the major markets losing ground. This week’s review also looks at how markets and exchanges fared in February
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down on last week’s close by 2.4% at 7069.9, it shed 5% of its value in February; the Dax ended at 11914, 4.6% down on last week’s close and ending the month 6.8% lower; the CAC was down by 3.4% to end the session at 5136.6, falling by 4.3% on the month.
The Dow ended the week down by 3.1% to close at 24538, slipping 3.9% in February. The Nasdaq composite index was down by 1.1% over the course of the week at 7257.9, but it made 0.23% over the month.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 3.3% to end the session at 21182, shedding 9% in February.
Currency Markets Review
On the currency markets last week, the Yen enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was stronger against Sterling last week closing at $1.3770 to the Pound, a gain of 1.5% on the week and 2.5% on the month. The Greenback weakened against the Euro last week by 0.11% to close at $1.2316 to the Euro, but it rose by 1.1% in February. The Dollar weakened against the Japanese currency closing at 105.6 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 1% during the week and 4.4% on the month.
The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 130.1, a loss of 0.85% over the course of the week and 5.4% on the month. It made ground against Sterling last week rising by 1.6%, the close saw one £ buying €1.1181, it made 1.5% in February.
The Euro now buys 1.1550 CHF, a gain of 0.41% on the week, but a slip of 0.45% on the month.
Commodities Market Review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $64.37 per barrel, a fall of 4.4% over the course of the week’s trading and 6.1% in February. The value of gold slipped last week closing at $1318.9 per ounce, a loss of 0.82% on the week and over the month.