Last week was a mixed affair for the world’s major stock markets. The breakdown of talks on Brexit between the opposition and government sent Sterling lower.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up on last week’s close by 2% at 7348.6; the Dax ended at 12239, 1.5% up on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 42.1% to end the session at 5438.2.
The Dow ended the week down by 0.62% to close at 25764. The Nasdaq composite index was down by 1.3% over the course of the week at 7816.3.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 0.45% to end the session at 21250.
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 $1.2724 to the Pound, a gain of 2.4% on the week. The Greenback was stronger against the Euro last week, rising by 0.68% to close at $1.1165 to the Euro.
The Dollar strengthened against the Japanese currency closing at 109.9 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 0.3% during the week.
The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 122.7, a loss of 0.37% over the course of the week. It was stronger against Sterling last week, the close saw one £ buying €1.1397, a gain of 1.7% on the week.
The Euro now buys 1.1287 CHF, a loss of 0.69% on the week.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $72.21 per barrel, a rise of 2.25% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was lower last week closing at $1280 per ounce, a fall of 0.51% on the week.