Last week was a mixed affair for the world’s major markets as they digested a US interest hike, a lack-lustre monetary easing from the Bank of Japan and as the price of crude oil continued to fall.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up by 1.7%, it closed at 6052.4; the Dax ended at 10608, up by 2.6% on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 1.7% to end the session at 4625.3%.
The Dow ended the week down by 0.79% to close at 17128. The Nasdaq composite index ended down by 0.21% over the course of the week at 4923.1.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 1.3% to end the session at 18987.
Currency Market Review
On the currency markets last week, the Dollar enjoyed the best of the trading on the back of the Fed’s long awaited rate rise. The Dollar was stronger against Sterling last week closing at $1.4911 to the Pound, a gain of 2% on the week. The Greenback rose against the Euro last week by 1.4% to close at $1.0846 to the €. The Dollar was stronger against the Japanese currency, closing at 121.2 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 0.21% during the week.
The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 131.5, a loss of 1.6% over the course of the week. It made ground against Sterling last week, rising by 0.59%; the close saw one £ buying €1.3747.
The Euro now buys 1.0782 CHF, a loss of 0.31% on the week.
Commodities Market Review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $36.88 per barrel, a loss of 2.8% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was lower last week, closing at $1065.4 per ounce, a loss of 0.99% on the week.