Last week was a positive affair for the world’s major markets with only London’s FTSE slipping.

In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down by 0.11%, it closed at 6353.8; the Dax ended at 10988, up by 1.3% on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 1.8% to end the session at 4984.2.

The Dow ended the week up by 1.4% to close at 17910. The Nasdaq composite index ended up by 1.9% over the course of the week at 5147.2.

The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 0.96% to end the session at 19266.

Currency Markets Review

On the currency markets last week, the Dollar enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was stronger against Sterling last week closing at $1.5067 to the Pound, a rise of 2.4% on the week. The Greenback rose against the Euro last week by 2.8% to close at $1.0744 to the €. The Dollar was stronger against the Japanese currency, closing at 123.2 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 2.1% during the week.

The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 132.4, a loss of 0.71% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 0.38%; the close saw one £ buying €1.4024.

The Euro now buys 1.0798 CHF, a loss of 0.9% on the week.

Commodities Market Review

On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $47.42 per barrel, a fall of 4.3% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was lower last week, closing at $1087.6 per ounce, a fall of 4.8% on the week.

The data that supports this article is drawn from Bloomberg, The Financial Times and X-rates.