Last week was a largely negative affair for the world’s major stock markets with only the Dow Jones making any ground.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down on last week’s close by 1.4% at 7558.6; the Dax ended at 12211, 1.7% down on last week’s close; the CAC was down by 1.3% to end the session at 5344.9.
The Dow ended the week up by 1.4% to close at 25669. The Nasdaq composite index was down by 0.29% over the course of the week at 7816.3.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 0.13% to end the session at 22270.
Currency markets review
On the currency markets last week, the Yen again enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was stronger against Sterling last week closing at $1.2734 to the Pound, a rise of 0.27% on the week. The Greenback was marginally weaker against the Euro last week losing 0.06% to close at $1.1411 to the Euro. The Dollar weakened against the Japanese currency closing at 110.5 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 0.19% during the week.
The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 126.1, a loss of 0.09% over the course of the week. It made ground against Sterling last week rising by 0.33%, the close saw one £ buying €1.1159.
The Euro now buys 1.1351 CHF, up, just, by 0.03% on the week.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $71.83 per barrel, a fall of 1.4% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was lower last week closing at $1181.2 per ounce, a loss of 2.4% on the week.