By: Dr. Mike Campbell
Last week marked the end of Q3 2011. It was one of the worst quarters that the markets had experienced in a decade. Despite the fact that most of the markets ended the week higher, they were all down over the course of September and the quarter. The reasons are clear enough: fears that the slowing recovery will stutter and reverse and worry over the sovereign debt crisis, focussed on Europe.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE made 1.2% and closed at 5128.5, but it lost 3.1% in September and 14.4% over the quarter; the Dax made 5.9% to close at 5502 but lost 0.7% during the month and 25.8% over Q3; the CAC climbed by 6.1% to end the session at 2982, but lost 5.3 over the month and 25.6% over the quarter.
The Dow ended the week up by 1.3% at 10913.4, but was down by 2.9% over the month and 13.3% over the quarter. The Nasdaq ended the week lower by 2.7%, to close at 2415.4, falling 2.6% over the month and 14.2% over the quarter.
The Nikkei strengthened over the course of the week, making 1.6% to end the trading session at 8700.4, but it ended September down by 2.8% and the quarter 11.8% lower.
Currency Markets Review
On the currency markets last week, Sterling had the best of the trading for once. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling, losing 4% and closing at 1.60036 to the Pound; over the quarter, it was almost flat, making 0.03%. The Greenback lost ground against the Euro last week, shedding 0.54% to close at 1.3503, but it made 6.8% over Q3. The Dollar lost made against the Japanese currency, closing at 76.8644 to the Yen, a gain of 0.89% on the week, but it ended the quarter worth 4.8% less.
The Euro closed up against the Yen ending at 103.79, making 1.4% over the course of the week, but shedding 11.2% over Q3. The Euro also was down against Sterling over the course of the week by 0.66%; the close saw one £ buying 1.15387 and ending the quarter worth 4.4% less.
Commodities Market Review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended lower, closing at $102.76 per barrel (for November delivery); a fall of 1.2% over the course of the week’s trading and representing a fall of 8.1% over the quarter. The value of gold dipped last week, closing at $1620 per ounce, representing a fall of 4.1% over last week’s value, but its value strengthened by 9.2% over the quarter and living up to its safe haven reputation.