Last week was a negative affair for the world’s major markets with only Japan’s Nikkei making any ground.

In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down by 3.7%, it closed at 6118.3; the Dax ended at 10708, down by 2.6% on last week’s close; the CAC was down by 3.5% to end the session at 4808.

The Dow ended the week down by 3.7% to close at 17245. The Nasdaq composite index ended down by 4.3% over the course of the week at 4927.9.

The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 1.7% to end the session at 19597. 

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 $1.5206 to the Pound, a fall of 0.92% on the week. The Greenback rose against the Euro last week by 0.22% to close at $1.0721 to the €. The Dollar was weaker against the Japanese currency, closing at 122.9 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 0.24% during the week.

The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 131.8, a loss of 0.45% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 1.1%; the close saw one £ buying €1.4184.

The Euro now buys 1.0816 CHF, a gain of 0.16% on the week.

Commodities Market Review

On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $44.47 per barrel, a fall of 6.2% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was lower last week, closing at $1081.3 per ounce, a fall of 0.58% on the week.