Last week was mixed for the major markets with the majority trading lower.

In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down on last week’s close by 1.6%, it closed at 6730.7; the Dax ended at 10513, down by 1.7.2% on last week’s close; the CAC was down by 0.47% to end the session at 4528.8.

The Dow ended the week up by 0.09% to close at 19170. The Nasdaq composite index was down by 2.7% over the course of the week at 5255.7.

The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 0.24% to end the session at 18426.

Currency markets review

On the currency markets last week Sterling again enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week closing at $1.2681 to the Pound, a loss of 1.8% on the week. The Greenback weakened against the Euro last week by 0.7% to close at $1.067 to the Euro. The Dollar was stronger against the Japanese currency, closing at 113.7 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 0.54% during the week.

The Euro was stronger against the Yen ending at 121.4, a gain of 1.2% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 1.1%; the close saw one £ buying €1.1886.

The Euro now buys 1.0784 CHF, a gain of 0.42% on the week.

Commodities market review

On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $54.46 per barrel, a gain of 15% over the course of the week’s trading on the back of an OPEC deal to cut production. The value of gold fell last week, closing at $1175.7 per ounce, a loss of 0.27% on the week.