Last week was a positive affair for the world’s major markets with all of them gaining ground over last week’s close.

In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up by 3.5%, it closed at 6334.6; the Dax ended at 11120, up by 3.9% on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 2.1% to end the session at 4911.

The Dow ended the week up by 3.4% to close at 17824. The Nasdaq composite index ended up by 3.6% over the course of the week at 5104.9.

The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 1.4% to end the session at 19880.

Currency Markets Review

On the currency markets last week, the Yen enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was marginally stronger against Sterling last week closing at $1.5201 to the Pound, a gain of 0.04% on the week. The Greenback rose against the Euro last week by 0.57% to close at $1.0660 to the €. The Dollar was weaker against the Japanese currency, closing at 122.8 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 0.11% during the week.

The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 130.9, a loss of 0.67% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 0.53%; the close saw one £ buying €1.4260.

The Euro now buys 1.0856 CHF, a gain of 0.37% on the week.

Commodity Markets Review

On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $44.66 per barrel, a gain of 0.43% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was higher last week, closing at $1082.9 per ounce, a gain of 0.15% on the week.