Another mixed week for major markets saw mainland Europe and Japan gain whilst the UK and US markets slipped.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down by 1.3%, it closed at 6500; the Dax ended at 8391.9 gaining by 0.64% over the course of the week; the CAC was up by 1.2% to end the session at 4123.9.
The Dow ended the week lower shedding 2.2% to end at 15081.5. The Nasdaq composite index ended at 3602.8, falling by 1.6% over the course of the week.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 0.26% to end the session at 13650.
Currency Markets in Review
On the currency markets last week, Sterling saw the best of trading. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week, closing at $1.5620 to the Pound; a loss of 0.74% over the week. The Greenback strengthened against the Euro last week rising by 0.10% to close at $1.3337 to the €. The Dollar was also stronger against the Japanese currency, closing at 97.60 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 1.4% during the week.
The Euro strengthened against the Yen ending at 130.0, a gain of 1.3% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week falling 0.85%; the close saw one £ buying €1.1724.
Commodities Market Review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended higher, at $110.4 per barrel (for October delivery); a rise of 2% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was higher last week, closing at $1369 per ounce, representing a gain of 4.6% over the previous week’s value.
The data that supports this article is drawn from Bloomberg, The Financial Times and X-rates.