In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down on last week’s close by 0.85% at 7463.5; the DAX ended at 12753, down by 0.49% on last week’s close; the CAC was down by 0.69% to end the session at 5263.3.

The Dow ended the week up by 0.53% to close at 21384. The Nasdaq composite index was down by 0.9% over the course of the week at 6151.8.

The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 0.35% to end the session at 19943.

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 $1.2776 to the Pound, a fall of 0.31% on the week. The Greenback weakened marginally against the Euro last week by 0.02% to close at $1.1191 to the Euro. The Dollar strengthened against the Japanese currency closing at 110.9 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 0.22% during the week.

The Euro was stronger against the Yen ending at 124.1, a rise of 0.23% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 0.28%; the close saw one £ buying €1.1416. The Euro now buys 1.0902 CHF, a rise of 0.44% on the week.

Commodities market review

On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $47.37 per barrel, a fall of 1.6% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold fell last week closing at $1253 per ounce, a fall of 1% on the week.