Last week was the last full week of trading for 2016 and a positive affair for all of the major markets.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up on last week’s close by 0.81%, it closed at 7068.2; the Dax ended at 11450, up by 0.4% on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 0.13% to end the session at 4839.7.
The Dow ended the week up by 0.76% to close at 19994. The Nasdaq composite index was up by 0.46% over the course of the week at 5462.7.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 0.14% to end the session at 19428.
Currency Markets Review
On the currency markets last week the Yen enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was stronger against Sterling last week closing at $1.2253 to the Pound, a gain of 1.8% on the week. The Greenback strengthened against the Euro last week, just, by 0.07% to close at $1.0452 to the Euro. The Dollar was weaker against the Japanese currency, closing at 117.2 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 0.4% during the week.
The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 122.5, a loss of 0.46% over the course of the week. It made ground against Sterling last week, rising by 1.7%; the close saw one £ buying €1.1723.
The Euro now buys 1.073 CHF, a gain of 0.04% on the week.
Commodities Market Review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $55.08 per barrel, a loss of 0.24% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold fell last week slightly, closing at $1132.8 per ounce, a loss of 0.04% on the week.