Last week was another a mixed affair for the world’s major markets.

In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up on last week’s close by 0.36% at 7349.4, it fell and rose 1.6% in Q1; the DAX ended at 12225, down by 2.1% on last week’s close but up by 6.6% on the quarter; the CAC was up by 0.25% to end the session at 5135.3 and by 4.3% in Q1.

The Dow ended the week down (just) by 0.03% to close at 20656, however it climbed by 3.5% over the course of the quarter. The Nasdaq Composite Index was down by 0.57% over the course of the week at 5877.8, it made 7.1% in Q1.

The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 1.3% to end the session at 18665, it fell by 2.8% over the quarter.

Currency markets review

On the currency markets last week the Yen enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was stronger against Sterling last week closing at $1.2396 to the Pound, a gain of 1.1% on the week but it fell 1.8% in Q1. The Greenback strengthened against the Euro last week by 0.77% to close at $1.0615 to the Euro, but slipped by 1.3% on the quarter. The Dollar weakened against the Japanese currency closing at 110.8 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 0.6% during the week, and slipping by 4.7% in Q1.

The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 117.6, a fall of 1.6% over the course of the week and 3.4% in Q1. It made ground against Sterling last week, rising by 0.33%; the close saw one £ buying €1.1678 and but fell by 0.48% on the quarter.

The Euro now buys 1.0687 CHF, a fall of 0.1% on the week and 0.19% in Q1.

Commodities market review

On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $55.24 per barrel, a rise of 3.2% over the course of the week’s trading, but it eased by 6.3% on the quarter. The value of gold rose last week closing at $1254 per ounce, a rise of 0.53% on the week, and 6.4% in Q1.