Last week was a mixed affair for the world’s major markets .
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down by 1.2%, it closed at 6960.5; the Dax ended at 11447, down by 2.2% on last week’s close; the CAC was down by 1.9% to end the session at 4993.8
The Dow ended the week up by 0.45% to close at 18273. The Nasdaq composite index ended up by 0.89% over the course of the week at 5048.3.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 1.8% to end the session at 19773.
Currency markets review
On the currency markets last week Sterling again enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week closing at $1.5771 to the Pound, a loss of 2.1%. The Greenback fell against the Euro last week by 1.5% to close at $1.1407 to the €. The Dollar was weaker against the Japanese currency, closing at 119.4 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 0.36% during the week.
The Euro was stronger against the Yen ending at 136.2, a gain of 1.1% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 0.57%; the close saw one £ buying €1.3826.
The Euro now buys 1.0413 CHF, a slip of 0.1% on the week.
Commodities markets review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $66.8 per barrel, a rise of 2.2% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was higher last week, closing at $1224.7 per ounce, a gain of 3.2% on the week.