Last week saw all of the major stock exchanges close higher, with the exception of the Nikkei.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up by 1.5%, it closed at 6853.4; the Dax ended at 10847.4, up by 1.4% on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 1.9% to end the session at 4691.
The Dow ended the week up by 3.8% to close at 17824. The Nasdaq composite index ended up by 2.4% over the course of the week at 4744.4.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 0.15% to end the session at 17649.
Currency Markets Review
On the currency markets last week Sterling enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week closing at $1.5248 to the Pound, a loss of 1.5%. The Greenback weakened against the Euro last week by 0.41% to close at $1.1337 to the €. The Dollar was stronger against the Japanese currency, closing at 119.1 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 1.4% during the week.
The Euro strengthened against the Yen ending at 135.1, a gain of 1.8% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 1.1%; the close saw one £ buying €1.345.
The Euro now buys 1.048 CHF having rallied this week amongst strong speculation that the SNB has set a fresh peg.
Commodities Market Review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $58.1 per barrel, a rise of 18%% over the course of the week’s trading as it rebounds from recent lows. The value of gold was lower last week, closing at $1241 per ounce, a loss of 2.2%.