Last week was a mixed affair for the world’s major stock markets with US markets dipping whilst all the other major markets closed above the previous week’s mark.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up on last week’s close by 0.7% at 7778.8; the Dax ended at 13078, 0.59% up on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 1.3% to end the session at 5614.5.
The Dow ended the week down by 0.47% to close at 24715. The Nasdaq composite index was down by 0.66% over the course of the week at 7354.3.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 0.76% to end the session at 22930.
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 $1.3476 to the Pound, a gain of 0.59% on the week. The Greenback was stronger against the Euro last week rising by 1.5% to close at $1.1776 to the Euro. The Dollar strengthened against the Japanese currency closing at 110.7 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 1.3% during the week.
The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 130.4, a loss of 0.15% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week falling by 0.87%, the close saw one £ buying €1.1443.
The Euro now buys 1.1741 CHF, up by 1.7% on the week.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $78.51 per barrel, a rise of 1.8% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold fell last week closing at $1290.2 per ounce, a fall of 2.2% on the week.