Last week was a mixed affair for the world’s major stock markets with the FTSE and Nikkei losing ground.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down on last week’s close by 0.25% at 7617.7, it made 6.3% in Q2; the Dax ended at 12496, 1.5% up on last week’s close and by 0.53% over the quarter; the CAC was up by 0.98% to end the session at 5375.8, rising by 1.2% over Q2.
The Dow ended the week up by 0.76% to close at 24456, ending the quarter up by 1.4%. The Nasdaq composite index was up by 2.4% over the course of the week at 7688.4, ending Q2 up by 8.6%.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 2.3% to end the session at 21788 but making 3.4% over the second quarter.
Currency markets review
On the currency markets last week, the Euro enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week closing at $1.3264 to the Pound, a fall of 0.51% on the week, rising by 6.4% over the quarter. The Greenback was weaker against the Euro last week falling by 0.55% to close at $1.1740 to the Euro, but ending the quarter up by 4.9%. The Dollar weakened against the Japanese currency closing at 110.5 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 0.22% during the week, but rising by 3.4% in Q2.
The Euro was stronger against the Yen ending at 129.7, a gain of 0.33% over the course of the week, but slipping by 1.6% in Q2. It made ground against Sterling last week, just, rising by 0.03%, the close saw one £ buying €1.1298, rising by 1.6% over the quarter.
The Euro now buys 1.1623 CHF, up by 0.32% on the week, but falling by 1.7% over the quarter.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $77.11 per barrel, a fall of 2.7% over the course of the week’s trading, but a rise of a whopping by 18% over the quarter. The value of gold rose last week closing at $1254.4 per ounce, a gain of 0.24% on the week, but a loss of 6.1% over Q2.