Last week was a largely positive affair for the world’s major markets with only the Japanese markets slipping. In this summary, we will also look back at Q4 and the full year 2018.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up on last week’s close by 1,5% at 6837.4, it slipped by 8% in Q4 and shed 12.4% in 2018; the Dax ended at 10768, 2% up on last week’s close, but fell by 12.8% over Q4 and by18.3% over the year; the CAC was up by 1.3% to end the session at 4737.1, slipping by 12.7% over the quarter and by 11.9% over the course of 2018.
The Dow ended the week up by 1.7% to close at 23443, it fell by 12.8% in Q4 and by 6.7% in 2018. The Nasdaq composite index was up by 2.3% over the course of the week at 6738.9, but it lost 15.5% over Q4 and 4.6% over the full year.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 2.3% to end the session at 19562, falling by 15.9% in Q4 and 12.1% over 2018.
Currency markets review
On the currency markets last week, the Yen again enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week closing at $1.2739 to the Pound, a fall of 0.34% on the week, but it made 3.1% over the quarter and 6.4% over the full year. The Greenback was stronger against the Euro last week, rising by 0.28% to close at $1.1413 to the Euro, risining by 0.51% in Q4 and 5%in 2018.
The Dollar weakened against the Japanese currency closing at 108.3 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 1.9% during the week, 2.8% over the quarter and 2.5% over the year.
The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 123.6, a loss of 2.2% over the course of the week, 3.4% over Q4 and 7.3% over 2018. It was weaker against Sterling last week, the close saw one £ buying €1.1162, a loss of 0.62% on the week but a gain of 2.6% in Q4 and 1.5% over the year.
The Euro now buys 1.1251 CHF, a loss of 0.07% on the week, 1.4% over Q4 and 4.1% over 2018.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $57.06 per barrel, a rise of 7.2% over the course of the week’s trading but a loss of 37% on Q4 and 20% over the course of 2018. The value of gold was higher last week closing at $1282/ per ounce, a rise of 0.26% on the week, 6.4% in Q4 and a modest 1.8% over the full year..