Last week saw most of the world’s major markets slipping somewhat. At the end of the week, the world’s largest economy inaugurated Donald Trump as its president, ushering in a phase of economic uncertainty as the world waits to see if his actions live up to his protectionist rhetoric.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down on last week’s close by 1.9%, it closed at 7198.4; the Dax ended at 11630, up by just 0.01% on last week’s close; the CAC was down by 1.5% to end the session at 4850.7.
The Dow ended the week down by 0.3% to close at 19827. The Nasdaq composite index was down by 0.34% over the course of the week at 5555.3.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 0.77% to end the session at 19138.
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 $1.233 to the Pound, a loss of 1.1% on the week. The Greenback weakened against the Euro last week by 0.53% to close at $1.0682 to the Euro. The Dollar was weaker against the Japanese currency, just, closing at 115 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 0.01% during the week.
The Euro was stronger against the Yen ending at 122.9, a gain of 0.53% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 0.51%; the close saw one £ buying €1.1543.
The Euro now buys 1.0733 CHF, a gain of 0.04% on the week.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $55.49 per barrel, a rise of 0.07% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold rose last week closing at $1210 per ounce, a gain of 1.8% on the week.