Last week 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 0.53% at 7424.1; the DAX ended at 12733, down by 0.16% on last week’s close; the CAC was up, just, by 0.05% to end the session at 5266.1.

The Dow ended the week up, just, by 0.05% to close at 21395. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up by 1.8% over the course of the week at 6265.3.

The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 0.95% to end the session at 20133.

Currency markets review

On the currency markets last week the Euro enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week closing at $1.2727 to the Pound, a fall of 0.38% on the week. The Greenback weakened marginally against the Euro last week by 0.06% to close at $1.1197 to the Euro. The Dollar strengthened against the Japanese currency closing at 1101.3 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 0.36% during the week.

The Euro was stronger against the Yen ending at 124.6, a rise of 0.42% over the course of the week. It made ground against Sterling last week, rising by 0.43%; the close saw one £ buying €1.1416367.

The Euro now buys 1.0852 CHF, a fall of 0.45% on the week.

Commodities market review

On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $45.54 per barrel, a fall of 3.9% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold rose last week closing at $1256.2 per ounce, a gain of 0.26% on the week.