Last week was the final trading session for February from the perspective of these summaries and was a mixed affair for the world’s major markets.

In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down on last week’s close by 0.77% at 7243.7, but it made 0.77% during the month; the Dax ended at 11804, up by 0.4% on last week’s close and by 1.3% in February; the CAC was down by 0.46% to end the session at 4845.2, but it gained 0.41% over the month.

The Dow ended the week up by 0.96% to close at 20822, it rose by 3.7% in February. The Nasdaq composite index was up by 0.12% over the course of the week at 5845.3, making 3.2% on the month.

The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 0.25% to end the session at 19284, rising by 1.9% over the month.

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 $1.2496 to the Pound, a fall of 0.69% on the week, but it rose by 0.11% over the month. The Greenback strengthened against the Euro last week by 0.32% to close at $1.058 to the Euro, it made 2% over the course of February. The Dollar was weaker against the Japanese currency closing at 112.28 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 0.5% during the week and 0.14% on the month.

The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 118.8, a loss of 0.82% over the course of the week and 2.1% over the month. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 1%; the close saw one £ buying €1.1811, it fell by 1.9% in February.

The Euro now buys 1.0639 CHF, a fall of 0.02% on the week and 0.54 on the month.

Commodities market review

On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $55.99 per barrel, a rise of 0.32% over the course of the week’s trading, but a fall of 1.4% on the month. The value of gold rose last week closing at $1256.8 per ounce, a gain of 1.8% on the week and 3% over the course of February.