Last week was a mixed affair for the world’s major stock markets with US markets gaining whilst all the other major markets closed below the previous week’s mark. It also marked the final trading session for May from the perspective of these reviews.

In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down on last week’s close by 0.62% at 773.3, but it made 2.2% in May; the Dax ended at 12938, 1.1% down on last week’s close, but it ended the month up by 0.92%; the CAC was down by 1.3% to end the session at 5542.6, making 0.48% over the month.

The Dow ended the week up by 0.15% to close at 24753, making 2% in May. The Nasdaq composite index was up by 1.1% over the course of the week at 7433.9, it ended May up by 3.1%.

The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 2.1% to end the session at 22451, slipping by 0.1% over the course of the month.

Currency markets review

On the currency markets last week, the Yen enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was stronger against Sterling last week closing at $1.3322 to the Pound, a gain of 1.1% on the week and 1.6% in May. The Greenback was stronger against the Euro last week rising by 0.91% to close at $1.1669 to the Euro, a gain of 2.3% on the month. The Dollar weakened against the Japanese currency closing at 109.4 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 1.2% during the week, but making 0.16% in May.

The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 127.6, a loss of 2.1% over the course of the week and the same amount over the month. It made ground against Sterling last week rising by 0.23%, the close saw one £ buying €1.1417, but it slipped by 0.78% in May.

The Euro now buys 1.1565 CHF, up by 1.5% on the week and by 3.3% over the month.

Commodities market review

On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $76.44 per barrel, a fall of 2.6% over the course of the week’s trading, but rising by 2.1% in May. The value of gold rose last week closing at $1303.7 per ounce, a rise of 1.1% on the week, but ending the month down by 0.53%.