Last week was a negative affair for all of the world’s major markets.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down on last week’s close by 4.3%, it closed at 6693.3; the Dax ended at 10259, down by 4.1% on last week’s close; the CAC was down by 3.8% to end the session at 4377.5.
The Dow ended the week down by 1.5% to close at 17888. The Nasdaq composite index was down by 2.8% over the course of the week at 5046.4.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 3.1% to end the session at 16905.
Currency markets review
On the currency markets last week Sterling enjoyed the best of the trading on the back of the High Court decision saying that only parliament could trigger Article 50. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week closing at $1.255 to the Pound, a loss of 3.3% on the week. The Greenback weakened against the Euro last week by 1.7% to close at $1.1123 to the Euro. The Dollar was weaker against the Japanese currency, closing at 103 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 2.3% during the week.
The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 114.6, a loss of 0.53% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 1.5%; the close saw one £ buying €1.1283.
The Euro now buys 1.077 CHF, a loss of 0.82% on the week.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $45.58 per barrel, a loss of 8.3% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold rose last week, closing at $1296.7 per ounce, a gain of 1.6%.