Last week saw all of the major markets making good gains.

In Europe over the course of the week, the FTSE was up, rising by 4.7%, it closed at 6416.2; the Dax ended at 10097, up by 5.7% on last week's close; the CAC was up by 5.4% to end the session at 4701.4.

The Dow ended the week up by 3.7% to close at 17084. The Nasdaq composite index ended up by 2.6% over the course of the week at 4830.5.

The Nikkei 225 ended the week's trading up by 4% to end the session at 18439.

Currency markets review

On the currency markets last week, the Euro enjoyed the best of the trading. The Dollar was weaker against Sterling last week closing at $1.5316 to the Pound, a fall of 0.66. The Greenback fell against the Euro last week by 0.81% to close at $1.1363 to the €. The Dollar was stronger against the Japanese currency, closing at 120.3 Yen to the Dollar, making a gain of 0.73% during the week.

The Euro was stronger against the Yen ending at 136.7, a gain of 2.1% over the course of the week. It made ground against Sterling last week, rising by 0.88%; the close saw one £ buying €1.3479.

The Euro now buys 1.0927 CHF, a gain of 0.1% on the week.

Commodities market review

On the commodities market, the price for Brent crude ended at $52.65 per barrel, a gain of 9.4% over the course of the week's trading. The value of gold was higher last week, closing at $1157.1 per ounce, a gain of 1.6% on the week.