Last week was a mixed affair for the world’s major markets.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up on last week’s close by 0.99% at 6845.2; the Dax ended at 10866, 0.72% up on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 0.84% to end the session at 4853.7.
The Dow ended the week down by 1.2% to close at 24101. The Nasdaq composite index was down by 0.84% over the course of the week at 6910.7.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 1.4% to end the session at 21375.
Currency markets review
On the currency markets last week, the Dollar enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was stronger against Sterling last week closing at $1.2569 to the Pound, a rise of 1.4% on the week. The Greenback was stronger against the Euro last week, rising by 0.8% to close at $1.1301 to the Euro.
The Dollar strengthened against the Japanese currency closing at 113.3 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 0.62% during the week.
The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 128.1, a loss of 0.16% over the course of the week. It was stronger against Sterling last week, the close saw one £ buying €1.1123, a gain of 0.59% on the week.
The Euro now buys 1.1265 CHF, a fall of 0.27% on the week.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $60.28 per barrel, a fall of 2.3% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was lower last week closing at $1238.1 per ounce, a fall of 0.9% on the week.