Last week was a mixed affair for the world’s major markets – a fitting end, perhaps, for a year reflecting mixed fortunes for them too.

In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down by 0.2%, it closed at 6242.3, closing down by 4.7% over the year; the Dax ended at 10743, up by 0.14% on last week’s close, but making a 13% gain in 2015; the CAC was down by 0.56% to end the session at 4637.1%, but it made 9.1% over the year.

The Dow ended the week down by 0.72% to close at 17425, it fell by 2.3% over the year. The Nasdaq composite index ended down by 0.81% over the course of the week at 5007.4, but made 5.9% in 2015.

The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading up by 1.4% to end the session at 19034, it made by 9.1% over the course of the year.

Currency Markets Review 

On the currency markets last week, the Dollar enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was stronger against Sterling last week closing at $1.4744 to the Pound, a gain of 0.63% on the week and 4% over 2015. The Greenback rose against the Euro last week by 0.98% to close at $1.0858 to the €, rising by 9.6% over the year. The Dollar was stronger against the Japanese currency, closing at 120.6 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 0.31% during the week and 0.35% over the year.

The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 131, a loss of 0.68% over the course of the week, it fell by 9.3% over 2015. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 0.35%; the close saw one £ buying €1.3578, a fall of 6.2% during the year.

The Euro now buys 1.0875 CHF, a gain of 0.38% on the week, but a loss of 9.4% over the year.

Commodities Market Review

On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $37.28 per barrel, a fall of 1.6% over the course of the week’s trading, but a massive fall of 34.9% over the year. The value of gold was lower last week, closing at $1059.1 per ounce, a loss of 1.7% on the week, but a decline of 9.6% in 2015.