Last week heralded the start of a recovery for the world’s major markets with rising oil prices and Chinese GDP data suggesting that things aren’t as black as they are painted.

In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up by 1.7%, it closed at 5900; the Dax ended at 9764.9, up by 2.3% on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 3% to end the session at 4336.7%.

The Dow ended the week up by 0.66% to close at 16094. The Nasdaq composite index ended up by 2.3% over the course of the week at 4591.2.

The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 1.1% to end the session at 16959.

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 $1.4311 to the Pound, a loss of 0.13% on the week. The Greenback rose against the Euro last week by 1.4% to close at $1.0817 to the €. The Dollar was stronger against the Japanese currency, closing at 118.4 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 1.4% during the week.

The Euro was marginally weaker against the Yen ending at 128.1, a loss of 0.02% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 1.5%; the close saw one £ buying €1.3231.

The Euro now buys 1.0978 CHF, a gain of 0.3% on the week.

Commodities Market Review 

On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $32.18 per barrel, a rise of 11% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was higher last week, closing at $1100.5 per ounce, a gain of 1% on the week.