Last week was a broadly positive affair for the world’s major markets with only the Nikkei slipping over the previous week’s close.

In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up on last week’s close by 1.1% at 7425; the Dax ended at 12095, up by 1.1% on last week’s close; the CAC was up by 0.72% to end the session at 5029.2.

The Dow ended the week up (just) by 0.06% to close at 20915. The Nasdaq composite index was up by 0.67% over the course of the week at 5901.

The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 0.42% to end the session at 19522.

Currency markets review

On the currency markets last week the Yen enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week closing at $1.2369 to the Pound, a fall of 1.7% on the week. The Greenback weakened against the Euro last week by 0.66% to close at $1.074 to the Euro. The Dollar weakened against the Japanese currency closing at 112.7 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 2% during the week.

The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 121, a fall of 1.4% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 1.1%; the close saw one £ buying €1.1517.

The Euro now buys 1.0721 CHF, a fall of 0.55% on the week.

Commodities market review

On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $51.76 per barrel, a rise of 0.76% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold rose last week closing at $1230.5 per ounce, a gain of 2.6% on the week.