The S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.4% last week, with resources stocks bouncing back. Offshore developed markets gained, the S&P 500 was up by 1.2%, while the EURO STOXX 50 gained 1.6%. Japan's Nikkei 225 also gained 3.5%. ETFS Physical Platinum (ETPMPT) had another strong week returning 3.2%, whilst the Betashares WisdomTree Japan ETF was the best performing, with a return of 3.5% for the week. Asian stock markets have had a mixed year, with Chinese equities continuing to struggle compared to Japan and Taiwan (see Chart of the Week).
The U.S. dollar weakened last week. Currency pressure continues in emerging markets including Argentina, Turkey, Brazil, Russia and South Africa. The Australian dollar gained 0.7% to reach US71.53c, after hitting a two year low a week earlier. U.S. 10-year Treasury yields increased by 6 basis points.
Commodities were mixed. Gold ended the week marginally lower at US$1,195/ounce, while Silver fell 0.8%. WTI crude gained 1.8% to US$68.99/bbl. The Bloomberg Commodities Industrial Metals index fell 0.2%.
The Australian ETF market saw inflows of $118m into and outflows of $22m from domestically domiciled funds last week. The largest inflows were into cash ETFs (BILL, AAA and ISEC) and domestic funds (MVW and IOZ). Outflows were spread across a range of different exposures.