Last week saw the American major markets slip whilst the rest of the pack gained ground.

In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up by 0.33%, it closed at 6718.5; the Dax (DAX) ended at 11491, up by 1.6% on last week's close; the CAC was up by 1.4% to end the session at 5154.8.

The Dow (DIA) ended the week down by 1.8% to close at 17373. The Nasdaq (QQQ) composite index ended down by 1.7% over the course of the week at 5043.5.

The Nikkei 225 ended the week's trading up by 0.76% to end the session at 2074.

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 $1.5513 to the Pound, a rise of 0.7%. The Greenback rose against the Euro last week by 0.63% to close at $1.0914 to the €. The Dollar was stronger against the Japanese currency, closing at 124.8 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 0.73% during the week.

The Euro was stronger against the Yen ending at 136.2, a gain of 0.1% over the course of the week. It lost ground against Sterling last week, falling by 0.08%; the close saw one £ buying €1.4210.

The Euro now buys 1.0709 CHF, a gain of 1% on the week.

Commodities market review

On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $48.6 per barrel, a loss of 6.9% over the course of the week's trading. The value of gold was lower last week, closing at $1092.6 per ounce, a fall of 6.9% on the week.