Last week marked the final trading session for August. It was a mixed affair for the world’s major stock markets with European markets falling.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down on last week’s close by 1.9% at 7432.4, it lost 3% in August; the Dax ended at 12364, 0.25% down on last week’s close and 2% lower on the month; the CAC was down by 0.47% to end the session at 5406.9, shedding 1.3% over the month.
The Dow ended the week up by 0.68% to close at 25965, making 2% in August. The Nasdaq composite index was up by 2.1% over the course of the week at 8109.5, rising 3.8% over the month.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 1.2% to end the session at 22865, rising by 1.5% in August.
Currency markets review
On the currency markets last week, the Pound enjoyed the best of the trading on short-lived Brexit optimism. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week closing at $1.2966 to the Pound, a fall of 0.85% on the week, but a gain of 0.43% on the month. The Greenback was stronger against the Euro last week making 0.23% to close at $1.1599 to the Euro, ending the month unchanged
(-0.01%). The Dollar weakened against the Japanese currency closing at 111 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 0.23% during the week and 0.15% on the month.
The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 128.7, a loss of 0.47% over the course of the week and 0.16% in August. It lost ground against Sterling last week falling by 1.1%, the close saw one £ buying €1.1178, but it gained 0.43% over the month.
The Euro now buys 1.1249 CHF, down by 1.5% on the week and 2.3% on the month.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $77.64 per barrel, a rise of 2.4% over the course of the week’s trading and 6.1% in August. The value of gold was lower last week closing at $1200.4 per ounce, a loss of 0.46% on the week and 1% over the month.