The world’s major markets all closed higher last week.

In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up on last week’s close by 0.83%, it closed at 6894.6; the Dax ended at 10684, up by 0.91% on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 2.3% to end the session at 4542.2.

The Dow ended the week up by 0.53% to close at 18492. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up by 0.59% over the course of the week at 5242.9.

The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 3.5% to end the session at 16926.

Currency markets review

On the currency markets last week Sterling enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week closing at $1.3296 to the Pound, a loss of 0.96% on the week. The Greenback strengthened against the Euro last week by 0.69% to close at $1.1159 to the. The Dollar was stronger against the Japanese currency, closing at 104.2 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 3% during the week.

The Euro was stronger against the Yen ending at 116.2, a gain of 2.2% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 1.7%; the close saw one £ buying €1.1915.

The Euro now buys 1.0938 CHF, a gain of 0.16% on the week.

Commodities market review

On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $46.83 per barrel, a fall of 6.2% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was marginally higher last week, closing at $1321.6 per ounce, a gain of 0.03% on the week.