Last week again saw all of the major markets lose ground and the oil price continued to soften – but above the $30 mark.

In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was down by 2.4%, it closed at 5707.6; the Dax ended at 8967.5, down by 3.4% on last week’s close; the CAC was down by 4.9% to end the session at 3995.1.

The Dow ended the week down by 1.4% to close at 15974. The Nasdaq composite index ended down by 0.59% over the course of the week at 4337.5.

The Nikkei 225 ended the week’s trading down by 11% to end the session at 14953.

Currency Markets Review 

On the currency markets last week the Yen again enjoyed the best of the trading . The Dollar was essentially unchanged against Sterling last week closing at $1.4458 to the Pound, a gain of 0.06% on the week. The Greenback fell against the Euro last week by 0.94% to close at $1.1234 to the €. The Dollar was weaker against the Japanese currency, closing at 112.97 Yen to the Dollar, making a loss of 4% during the week.

The Euro was weaker against the Yen ending at 126.9, a loss of 2.5% over the course of the week. It made ground against Sterling last week, rising by 1%; the close saw one £ buying €1.2869.

The Euro now buys 1.0974 CHF, a loss of 0.79% on the week.

Commodities Market Review 

On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $33.36 per barrel, a fall of 2.1% over the course of the week’s trading. The value of gold was higher last week, closing at $1239.1 per ounce, a gain of 5.6% on the week.