Last week was a mixed affair for the major stock markets with the US markets gaining and the rest slipping.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down by 1.1%, it closed at 6710.5; the Dax ended at 11040, down by 1.4% on last week’s close; the CAC was down by 1.8% to end the session at 4815.4.
The Dow ended the week up by 0.65% to close at 18016. The Nasdaq composite index ended up by 1.3% over the course of the week at 5117.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 1.1% to end the session at 20174.
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 $1.5879 to the Pound, a fall of 2.3%. The Greenback fell against the Euro last week by 0.67% to close at $1.1335 to the €. The Dollar was weaker against the Japanese currency, closing at 122.7 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 0.77% during the week.
The Euro was marginally stronger against the Yen ending at 139.1, a gain of 0.04% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 1.6%; the close saw one £ buying €1.4009.
The Euro now buys 1.0439 CHF, a fall of 0.65% on the week.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $63.02 per barrel, a fall of 1.3% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was higher last week, closing at $1200.3 per ounce, a rise of 1.7% on the week.