Friday marked the end of the week, the month and the third quarter of 2013 for the purposes of these summaries.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down by 1.3%, it closed at 6512.7, losing 0.5% over the month but making 2.2% over Q3; the Dax ended at 8661.5 slipping by 0.16% over the course of the week it made 4.7% in September and ended Q3 up by 11%; the CAC was down by 0.4% to end the session at 4186.8, but made 3.4% over the month and 11.5% over the quarter.
The Dow ended the week lower, slipping by 1.3% to end at 15258, it made 2.3% in September but only put on 0.81% during Q3. The Nasdaq composite index ended at 3781.6, strengthening by 0.18% over the course of the week, it made 3.3% over the month and put on 8.7% during Q3.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 0.12% to end the session at 14760, making 6.5% in September and 4.6% in Q3.
Currency Markets Review
On the currency markets last week, the Yen saw the best of trading. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week, closing at $1.6133 to the Pound; a fall of 0.7% over the week and3.2% during September. Sterling strengthened by 8.2% against the Dollar during Q3. The Greenback weakened against the Euro last week by 0.11% to close at $1.3537 to the €. It weakened by 2.8% during September and shed 5.5% of its value during the quarter. The Dollar was weaker against the Japanese currency, closing at 98.29 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 1.1% during the week and slipping by 0.77% in September. The Dollar ended Q3 2.6% lower against the Japanese currency.
The Euro fell against the Yen ending at 133.1, a loss of 1% over the course of the week, however, it rallied by 2% in September and by 2.7% over Q3. It also lost ground against Sterling last week falling by 0.59%; the close saw one £ buying €1.1848. Sterling gained 0.37% against the Euro in September and rose by2.6% against the single European currency over Q3.
Commodities Market Review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended lower, at $108.6 per barrel (for November delivery); a fall of 0.54% over the course of the week’s trading and 6.5% in September. Brent crude oil rose by 0.84% during the third quarter. The value of gold was lower last week, closing at $1341 per ounce, representing a loss of 0.61% over the previous week’s value and 3.3% during September, however they rallied by 10.6% over the third quarter.