Last week again saw all the world’s major stock markets losing ground on continuing fears of a global economic slowdown with the one exception of the Dax which managed to rise.

In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down by 0.47%, it closed at 6310.3; the Dax ended at 8850.3, up by 0.7% on last week’s close; the CAC was down by 0.99% to end the session at 4033.2.

The Dow ended the week down by 0.99% to close at 16380. The Nasdaq composite index ended down by 0.42% over the course of the week at 4258.4.

The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 5% to end the session at 14533.

Currency Markets Review

On the currency markets last week, the Yen again saw the best of the trading. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week closing at $1.6086 to the Pound; a loss of 0.25% over the week. The Greenback weakened against the Euro last week by 0.95% to close at $1.2754 to the €. The Dollar was weaker against the Japanese currency, closing at 106.7 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 1% during the week.

The Euro weakened against the Yen ending at 136.1, a loss of 0.1% over the course of the week. It made ground against Sterling last week climbing by 0.69%; the close saw one £ buying €1.2612.

Commodities Market Review

On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended lower at $86.2 per barrel (for December delivery), a fall of 4% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was higher last week, closing at $1234.3 per ounce, a gain of 1.3%.