Last week saw the American major markets make gains whilst the rest of the pack lost ground – the reverse of last week
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down by 2.5%, it closed at 6550.7; the Dax ended at 10985, down by 4.4% on last week’s close; the CAC was down by 3.9% to end the session at 4956.5.
The Dow ended the week up by 0.6% to close at 17477. The Nasdaq composite index ended up by 0.09% over the course of the week at 5048.2.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 1.1% to end the session at 20519.
Currency markets review
On the currency markets last week, the Euro enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week closing at $1.5623 to the Pound, a fall of 0.71%. The Greenback fell against the Euro last week by 1.8% to close at $1.1111 to the €. The Dollar was weaker against the Japanese currency, closing at 124.3 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 0.43% during the week.
The Euro was stronger against the Yen ending at 138.1, a gain of 1.4% over the course of the week. It made ground against Sterling last week, rising by 1.1%; the close saw one £ buying €1.4061.
The Euro now buys 1.0865 CHF, a gain of 1.5% on the week.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $49.2 per barrel, a gain of 1.2% over the course of the week’s trading and snapping a run of 7 weeks of losses. The value of gold was higher last week, closing at $1114.7 per ounce, a rise of 2% on the week.
