Last week was a positive affair for the world’s major stock markets with all the major markets closing higher than a week earlier.
In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up on last week’s close by 0.25% at 7577.5; the Dax ended at 12395, 1.5% up on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 1.6% to end the session at 5432.5.
The Dow ended the week up by 0.47% to close at 25790. The Nasdaq composite index was up by 1.7% over the course of the week at 7946.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 1.5% to end the session at 22602.
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 $1.2857 to the Pound, a fall of 0.96% on the week. The Greenback was weaker against the Euro last week losing 1.9% to close at $1.1626 to the Euro. The Dollar strengthened against the Japanese currency closing at 111.2 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 0.65% during the week.
The Euro was stronger against the Yen ending at 129.3, a gain of 2.6% over the course of the week. It made ground against Sterling last week rising by 0.9%, the close saw one £ buying €1.1059.
The Euro now buys 1.1424 CHF, up by 0.64% on the week.
Commodities market review
On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $75.82 per barrel, a rise of 5.6% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was higher last week closing at $1206 per ounce, a gain of 2.1% on the week.