The world’s major markets were mixed last week with only the American stock markets closing up on the previous mark.

In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down on last week’s close by 0.98%, it closed at 6710.3; the Dax ended at 10376, down by 2.8% on last week’s close; the CAC was down by 3.5% to end the session at 4332.5.

The Dow ended the week up by 0.22% to close at 18124. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up by 2.3% over the course of the week at 5244.6.

The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 2.6% to end the session at 16519.

Currency markets review

On the currency markets last week the Yen again enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was stronger against Sterling last week closing at $1.3087 to the Pound, a gain of 1.3% on the week. The Greenback strengthened against the Euro last week by 0.52% to close at $1.1158 to the Euro. The Dollar was weaker against the Japanese currency, closing at 102.4 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 0.52% during the week.

The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 114.2, a loss of 1.1% over the course of the week. It made ground against Sterling last week, rising by 0.79%; the close saw one £ buying €1.1729.

The Euro now buys 1.0933 CHF, a loss of 0.19% on the week.

Commodities market review

On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $45.77 per barrel, a fall of 4.7% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was lower last week, closing at $1312.6 per ounce, a loss of 1.2% on the week.