Last week was a positive affair for all of the world’s major markets as investors try to get their head around a Republican administration to come in the US – even one led by Donald Trump.

In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up on last week’s close by 0.55%, it closed at 6730.4; the Dax ended at 10558, up by 2.9% on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 2.6% to end the session at 4489.3.

The Dow ended the week up by 5.4% to close at 18848. The Nasdaq composite index was up by 3.8% over the course of the week at 5237.1.

The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 2.8% to end the session at 17375.

Currency markets review

On the currency markets last week Sterling again enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week closing at $1.2600 to the Pound, a loss of 0.4% on the week. The Greenback strengthened against the Euro last week by 2.6% to close at $1.0832 to the Euro. The Dollar was stronger against the Japanese currency, closing at 106.7 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 3.6% during the week.

The Euro was stronger against the Yen ending at 115.5, a gain of 0.82% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 3.1%; the close saw one £ buying €1.1633.

The Euro now buys 1.0713 CHF, a loss of 0.53% on the week.

Commodities market review

On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $44.75 per barrel, a loss of 1.8% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold fell last week, closing at $1225.2 per ounce, a loss of 5.5%.