Last week was a largely negative affair for the world’s major stock markets with only the FTSE making ground, largely on the strength of a weakening Pound (if you’ll pardon the tautology).
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up on last week’s close by 0.63% at 7682.3; the Dax ended at 12580, 3.3% down on last week’s close; the CAC was down by 2.1% to end the session at 5387.4.
The Dow ended the week down by 2% to close at 24581. The Nasdaq composite index was down by 0.69% over the course of the week at 7692.8.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 1.5% to end the session at 22517.
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 $1.3258 to the Pound, a rise of 0.21% on the week. The Greenback was weaker against the Euro last week falling by 0.36% to close at $1.1659 to the Euro. The Dollar weakened against the Japanese currency closing at 109.9 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 0.54% during the week.
The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 128.2, a loss of 0.18% over the course of the week. It made ground against Sterling last week rising by 0.57%, the close saw one £ buying €1.1372.
The Euro now buys 1.1521 CHF, down by 0.43% on the week.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $75.71 per barrel, a rise of 3.1% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold fell last week closing at $1270.2 per ounce, a fall of 0.67% on the week.