An overall good week for UK markets with gains for the week seen by both the FTSE 100 and FTSE TechMARK. The Bank of England left interest rates alone at 4% and more positive news on economic growth and employment from the US seemed to help the UK along.
In Europe, the only day in the red for markets was Tuesday. For the rest of the week, positive economic and unemployment news from the US, interest rate stability in the UK and the rest of Europe meant an investor confidence boost.
The US trading week was a good one, with both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq 100 closing the week with gains. Lots of economic news was released this week and the majority of it was positive, possibly indicating the recovery has started. Economic growth and growth in the services sector is on the up and unemployment is on the way down. Should you have been buying in the week before last?
Far Eastern markets were mixed throughout the week but one market stood out clearly. That was the market in Tokyo that could not be stopped. With the prospect of US economic growth, lower unemployment and increased growth in the service sector, export signs were jumping around. The Yen grew 4.5% against the Dollar in a week and the Japanese Finance Minister has ordered an investigation to see if the growth was 'artificial'. Has this market outdone itself this week? Only trading next week will tell.