Last week was a largely positive affair for the major markets with only the Nasdaq slipping.

In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up on last week’s close by 0.83%, it closed at 7011.6; the Dax ended at 11404, up by 1.8% on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 1.5% to end the session at 4833.3.

The Dow ended the week up by 0.44% to close at 19843. The Nasdaq composite index was down by 0.13% over the course of the week at 5437.2.

The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 2.1% to end the session at 19401.

Currency markets review

On the currency markets last week the Dollar again enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was stronger against Sterling last week closing at $1.2477 to the Pound, a gain of 0.83% on the week. The Greenback strengthened against the Euro last week by 0.75% to close at $1.0459 to the Euro. The Dollar was stronger against the Japanese currency, closing at 117.7 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 2.2% during the week.

The Euro was stronger against the Yen ending at 123.1, a gain of 1.7% over the course of the week. It made ground against Sterling last week, rising by 0.08%; the close saw one £ buying €1.1929.

The Euro now buys 1.0725 CHF, a loss of 0.1% on the week.

Commodities market review

On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $55.21 per barrel, a gain of 1.6% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold fell last week, closing at $1133.2 per ounce, a loss of 2.2% on the week.