Last week again saw all of the major markets regain further ground and the oil price move upwards.

In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up by 1.7%, it closed at 6199.4; the DAX ended at 9824.2, up by 3.3% on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 3.3% to end the session at 4456.6.

The Dow ended the week up by 2.2% to close at 17007. The Nasdaq composite index ended up by 2.8% over the course of the week at 4717.

The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 5.1% to end the session at 17015.

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 $1.4227 to the Pound, a loss of 2.6% on the week. The Greenback fell against the Euro last week by 0.77% to close at $1.1015 to the €. The Dollar was stronger against the Japanese currency, closing at 113.9 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 0.08% during the week.

The Euro was stronger against the Yen ending at 125.5, a gain of 0.85% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 1.8%; the close saw one £ buying €1.2916.

The Euro now buys 1.0930 CHF, a gain of 0.33% on the week.

Commodities Market Review 

On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $38.7 per barrel, a gain of 10.3% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was higher last week, closing at $1260 per ounce, a rise of 3% on the week.