All of the major stock markets closed at least marginally higher at the end of last week’s trading session. In Europe over the course of last week, the FTSE put on 1.6%, closing at 5142.5; the CAC managed to rise by almost 1% closing at 3599.1; the Dax made 1.2%, ending the week at 5500.4.
US markets performed in much the same way as their European counterparts. The Dow ended the week up by 0.9%, finishing the trading session at 10099.1. The Nasdaq performed a little better than its bigger brother, managing to end the week up by 2%, closing at 2183.5.
The Nikkei showed the smallest growth, but at least the market rose. It closed stronger by 0.35% over the course of the week ending trading at 10092.2.
On the currency markets last week, the Dollar gained ground on the other major currencies. Against the Euro, the US currency strengthened by 1.25% over the course of the week closing at 1.352 to the Euro. The Greenback was stronger against the British Pound by 0.4% closing at 1.5616 to the Pound. The Dollar closed at 90.1341 to the Yen, a rise of 0.75% on the week.
The Euro had yet another poor week on the back of continued uncertainty caused by the Greek, Spanish and Portuguese debt situation and fell by 0.13% against the Yen closing at 122.33. It weakened against Sterling over the week by 0.5%. The close saw one £ buying 1.1506€.
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude oil finally rose, closing at $72.9 per barrel (for April delivery); a hike of 4.8% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold also reversed the trend of recent weeks, closing at 1090 $ per ounce, representing an appreciation of 3.4%.