2 April 2016 Market Review

Another mixed week for the markets over this last week, with Europe and Nikkei falling.  Oil dropped some more, now below $40 a barrel again, because of fears of over-supply.  This was the last week of the quarter as well.

The FTSE closed at 6146.1 to be up 0.65% for the week, but down 2.2% for the first quarter.  The Dax was down 0.58% on the week and by a whopping 8.3% for the quarter, with the close of 9794.6.  The CAC closed the week at 4322.2 to be down slightly 0.17%, but falling big on the quarter to the tune of 6.6%.

The Dow closed the week at 17793 to be up 1.6% and 0.2% for the quarter.  The Nasdaq composite index closed the week at 4914.5 to be up 3%, but fell 4.7% for the quarter.

The Nikkei 225 closed the week at 16164 to slide down 4.9% for the week and even bigger 10.7% for the quarter.

The Euro enjoyed the best trading this week of the major currencies.  The Dollar lost ground to the Sterling last week with a close of $1.4205, to lose 0.53% for the week but rise 4.2% for the quarter.  The Dollar was weaker versus the Euro with a close of $1.1379 for the week, by losing 1.9% on the week and 2.8% for the quarter.  The Dollar also fell against the Yen by losing 0.86% for the week and a whopping 6.3% for the quarter, with a close of 112.1.

The Euro rose against the Yen 1.1% for the week with a close of 127.6, but lost 3.6% for the quarter.  The Euro rose however against the Sterling 1.4% for the week and 6.8% on the quarter, with a close of 1.2483.

The Euro lost slightly against the CHF with a close of 1.0914 for the week, at a loss of 0.07% for the week, but with a gain of 0.43% for the quarter.

Brent crude lost 4.4% for the week, but gained 8.5% for the quarter, with a close of $38.67 for the week.  Gold closed the week at $1222.5 per ounce, for a gain of 0.1% for the week and huge gains for the quarter for 15%.