Last week was largely positive for the major markets with only Germany’s Dax losing ground.

In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up by 1.3%, it closed at 6654.4; the Dax ended at 9252.9, down by 0.42% on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 0.3% to end the session at 4202.5.

The Dow ended the week up by 0.31% to close at 17635. The Nasdaq composite index ended up by 1.2% over the course of the week at 4688.5.

The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 3.6% to end the session at 17491.

Currency Markets Review

On the currency markets last week, the Euro saw the best of the trading. The Dollar was stronger against Sterling last week closing at $1.5656 to the Pound; a gain of 1.2% over the week. The Greenback weakened against the Euro last week by 0.58% to close at $1.2494 to the €. The Dollar was stronger against the Japanese currency, closing at 116.5 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 1.6% during the week.

The Euro strengthened against the Yen ending at 145.6, a gain of 2.1% over the course of the week. It made ground against Sterling last week, rising by 1.8%; the close saw one £ buying €1.2531.

Commodities Market Review

On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended lower at $79.4 per barrel (for January delivery), a fall of 4.4% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was higher last week, closing at $1169 per ounce, a gain of 1.3%.