Last week was a largely positive affair for the world’s major stock markets with only the Dow closing down over the previous week’s mark.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up on last week’s close by 0.87% at 7567.1; the Dax ended at 12820, 1.9% up on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 0.6% to end the session at 5516.1.
The Dow ended the week down by 0.2% to close at 24263. The Nasdaq composite index was up by 1.3% over the course of the week at 72902.6.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up, just, by 0.02% to end the session at 22473.
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 $1.3535 to the Pound, a gain of 1.8% on the week. The Greenback strengthened against the Euro last week by 1.3% to close at $1.1947 to the Euro. The Dollar strengthened against the Japanese currency, just, closing at 109.2 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 0.06% during the week.
The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 130.4, a loss of 1.3% over the course of the week. It made ground against Sterling last week rising by 0.47%, the close saw one £ buying €1.1328.
The Euro now buys 1.1953 CHF, down by 0.12% on the week.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $74.87 per barrel, a rise of 0.31% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold fell last week closing at $1310.7 per ounce, a loss of 0.83% on the week.