Last week was a mostly negative affair for the world’s major stock markets with all the major markets closing lower except for the Nikei.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down on last week’s close by 0.29% at 7207.6; the Dax ended at 11364, 2.8% down on last week’s close; the CAC was down by 2.5% to end the session at 5269.9
The Dow ended the week down by 1.3% to close at 25502. The Nasdaq composite index was down by 0.6% over the course of the week at 7642.7.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 0.82% to end the session at 21627.
Currency markets review
On the currency markets last week, the Yen enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week closing at $1.3213 to the Pound, a loss of 0.49% on the week. The Greenback was stronger against the Euro last week, rising by 0.41% to close at $1.1282 to the Euro.
The Dollar weakened against the Japanese currency closing at 109.8 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 1.6% during the week.
The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 123.9, a loss of 2% over the course of the week. It was stronger against Sterling last week, the close saw one £ buying €1.1712, a gain of 0.09% on the week.
The Euro now buys 1.1215 CHF, a loss of 1.2% on the week.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $67.03 per barrel, a fall of 0.19% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was higher last week closing at $1306.1 per ounce, a rise of 0.4% on the week.