Last week was a mixed affair for the world’s major stock markets with US markets falling but all the others gained ground. It marked the final trading session for the purposes of these summaries
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up on last week’s close by 1.8% at 7502.2, it made 6.3% in April; the Dax ended at 12581, 0.32% up on last week’s close and by 4.1% over the month; the CAC was up by 1.3% to end the session at 5483.2, making 6.1% over the month.
The Dow ended the week down by 0.62% to close at 24311, it made 0.86% in April. The Nasdaq composite index was down by 0.37% over the course of the week at 7119.8, making 0.8% over the month.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 1.4% to end the session at 22468, it made 4.7% in April.
Currency markets review
On the currency markets last week, the Dollar again enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was stronger against Sterling last week closing at $1.3784 to the Pound, a gain of 1.8% on the week and 1.7% over the month. The Greenback strengthened against the Euro last week by 1.4% to close at $1.2110 to the Euro, gaining 1.7% in April. The Dollar strengthened against the Japanese currency closing at 109.1 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 1.4% during the week and 2.7% over the month.
The Euro was essentially unchanged against the Yen ending at 132.2, a loss of 0.03% over the course of the week, but a gain of 1% in April. It made ground against Sterling last week rising by 0.35%, the close saw one £ buying €1.1382, it ended April unchanged.
The Euro now buys 1.1968 CHF, unchanged on the week, but making 1.9% in April.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $74.64 per barrel, a rise of 0.78% over the course of the week’s trading and 7.6% over the month. The value of gold fell last week closing at $1321.7 per ounce, a loss of 1.1% on the week and 0.25% during April.