Last week saw all of the world’s major markets in significant falls as investors react to weak economic data from China.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down by 5.5%, it closed at 6187.7; the Dax ended at 10124.5, down by 7.8% on last week’s close; the CAC was down by 6.6% to end the session at 4631.
The Dow ended the week down by 5.8% to close at 16460. The Nasdaq composite index ended down by 6.8% over the course of the week at 4706.4.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 5.3% to end the session at 19436.
Currency markets review
On the currency markets last week, the Euro enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week closing at $1.5691 to the Pound, a fall of 0.44%. The Greenback fell against the Euro last week by 2.3% to close at $1.1364 to the €. The Dollar was weaker against the Japanese currency, closing at 122.1 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 1.7% during the week.
The Euro was stronger against the Yen ending at 138.8, a gain of 0.5% over the course of the week. It made ground against Sterling last week, rising by 1.8%; the close saw one £ buying €1.3808.
The Euro now buys 1.0775 CHF, a fall of 0.82% on the week.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $45.5 per barrel, a fall of 7.6% over the course of the week’s trading, resuming downward momentum. The value of gold was higher last week, closing at $1160.6 per ounce, a rise of 4.1% on the week.
