Last week was a largely positive affair for the world’s major markets with all stock markets gaining apart from the FTSE. Friday’s session marked the end of February from the perspective of these summaries.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down on last week’s close by 0.8% at 7178.6, it gained 2.3% over the month; the Dax ended at 11458, 1.4% up on last week’s close and ending February up by 2.5%; the CAC was up by 1.2% to end the session at 5215.9 making 3.9% on the month.
The Dow ended the week up by 0.58% to close at 26032, making 3.9% over the month. The Nasdaq composite index was up by 0.74% over the course of the week at 7527.6, ending February up by 3.6%.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 2.5% to end the session at 21426, making 3.1% over the month.
Currency markets review
On the currency markets last week, Sterling enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week closing at $1.3064 to the Pound, a loss of 1.6% on the week, but a rise of 0.82% over the month. The Greenback was weaker against the Euro last week, falling by 0.66% to close at $1.1343 to the Euro, but it gained 0.57% in February.
The Dollar strengthened against the Japanese currency (just) closing at 110.69 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 0.13% during the week an 1.1% over the month.
The Euro was stronger against the Yen ending at 125.6, a gain of 0.79% over the course of the week and 0.45% in February. It was weaker against Sterling last week, the close saw one £ buying €1.1517, a loss of 0.93% on the week, but a rise of 0.25% on the month.
The Euro now buys 1.1339 CHF, a marginal loss of 0.02% on the week, but a rise of 0.11% in February.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $67.12 per barrel, a rise of 1.3% over the course of the week’s trading and a gain of 7% in February. The value of gold was higher last week closing at $1329.2 per ounce, a rise of 0.79% on the week and 0.9% over the month.