Last week saw the major markets making ground with the exception of the Dax, which was essentially flat and the Nikkei which has continued to fall since the New Year.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was higher by 0.94%, it closed at 6571.7; the Dax ended at 9301.9, essentially unchanged on last week’s close but falling by 0.05% over the course of the week; the CAC was up by 1.5% to end the session at 4228.2.
The Dow ended the week higher by 0.61% to end at 15794. The Nasdaq composite index ended up by 0.54% over the course of the week at 4125.9.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by a further 3% to end the session at 14462.
Currency Markets Review
On the currency markets last week, the Euro, saw the best of the trading. The Dollar was stronger against Sterling last week, closing at $1.6391 to the Pound; a gain of 0.36% over the week. The Greenback weakened against the Euro last week by 0.81% to close at $1.3612 to the €. The Dollar was essentially flat against the Japanese currency, closing at 102.3 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 0.03% during the week.
The Euro was stronger against the Yen ending at 139.2, a rise of 0.84% over the course of the week. It made ground against Sterling last week climbing by 1.2%; the close saw one £ buying €1.2042.
Commodities Market Review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended higher, at $109.6 per barrel (for March delivery); a rise of 3% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was higher last week, closing at $1259.3 per ounce, representing a rise of 0.66% over the previous week’s value.