Last week was another mixed affair for the world’s major markets, it was also the final trading session for July for the purposes of these summaries.

In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down on last week’s close by 1.1% at 7368.4, it made 0.24% in July; the DAX ended at 12163, down by 0.63% on last week’s close and by 1.8% on the month; the CAC was up by 0.27% to end the session at 5131.4, but it slipped by 0.27% in July.

The Dow ended the week up by 1.2% to close at 21830, rising by 2 on the month. The Nasdaq composite index was down by 0.2% over the course of the week at 6374.7, but it rose by 3.6% in July.

The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 0.097% to end the session at 19960, but the month saw it rise by 0.16%.

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 $1.3124 to the Pound, a loss of 1.2% on the week and 1.9% on the month. The Greenback weakened against the Euro last week by 0.86% to close at $1.1756 to the Euro, falling 3.2% on the month. The Dollar weakened against the Japanese currency closing at 110.8 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 0.36% during the week and 2.9% in July.

The Euro was stronger against the Yen ending at 130.3, a gain of 0.5% over the course of the week and 0.18% over the month. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 0.36%, the close saw one £ buying €1.1164, but it strengthened by 1.2% in July.

The Euro now buys 1.1384 CHF, a gain of 3.1% on the week and 3.5% on the month.

Commodities market review

On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $52.52 per barrel, a rise of 9.3% over the course of the week’s trading and 12.4% in July. The value of gold rose last week closing at $1268.4 per ounce, a gain of 1.4% on the week and 5% on the month.