By: Mike Campbell
Last week was a mixed one for the major stock markets with the best performance coming from the USA. In Europe over the course of last week, all the markets fell; the FTSE shed 0.47%, closing at 5744; the CAC dropped by 1.6% to end the session at 3986.6; the Dax declined by 1.1% ending the week at 6180.9.
The Dow ended the week up by 0.2%, finishing the trading session at 11018.7. The technology stock heavy Nasdaq ended the week up by a further 1.1%, closing at 2481.3, a seven week bull run (on weekly average data).
The Nikkei closed down by 0.9% over the course of the week ending trading at 11102.
On the currency markets last week, the Dollar was down against other major currencies. Against the Euro, the US currency fell by 1.1% over the course of the week, closing at 1.3535 to the Euro. The Greenback was weaker against the British Pound, falling by 0.5%, to close at 1.54315 to the Pound. The Dollar closed at 92.57 to the Yen, a fall of 1.2% on the week.
The Euro had a mixed week on the back of continuing uncertainty about the Greek debt situation. It fell by just 0.03% against the Yen closing at 125.3. The Euro also fell against Sterling over the week by 0.6%. The close saw one £ buying 1.14012€.
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude was higher, closing at $85.99 per barrel (for June delivery); a hike of 1.4% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold weakened; closing at 1137 $ per ounce, representing a loss of 1.2%.