Last week was a mixed affair for the world’s major markets with Europe showing winners and losers. It marked the final trading session for October

In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down by 1.29%, it closed at 6361.1, but made 3.8% in October; the Dax ended at 10850, up by 0.52% on last week’s close and ending the month up by 13.6%; the CAC was down by 0.53% to end the session at 4897.8, but made 9.8% in October.

The Dow ended the week up by 0.1% to close at 17664, making 7.2% in October. The Nasdaq composite index ended up by 0.44% over the course of the week at 5053.8 and 7.4% on the month.

The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 1.4% to end the session at 19083, ending October up by 7.7%.

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 $1.5438 to the Pound, a fall of 0.64% on the week and 1.5% in October. The Greenback fell against the Euro last week by 0.28% to close at $1.105 to the €, but it made 2% over the month. The Dollar was weaker against the Japanese currency, closing at 120.6 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 0.44% during the week, but rising 1% on the month.

The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 133.3, a loss of 0.16% over the course of the week and 1% in October. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 0.36%; the close saw one £ buying €1.3970, it slipped by 2.7% over the month.

The Euro now buys 1.0897 CHF, a gain of 1.3% on the week, but ended the month down by 0.17%.

Commodities Market Review

On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $49.56 per barrel, a rise of 3.3% over the course of the week’s trading and 3% on the month. The value of gold was lower last week, closing at $1141.8 per ounce, a fall of 2% on the week, but a rise of 0.28% in October.