The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-03-24
MERCHANTS CAN SMILE.
DUN'S REPORT SHOWS THAT
TRADE IS IMPROVING.

More Activity in Speculative Markets
Though Prices are Lower-The Fu-
ture Ringing Largely on the Money
Market-Foreign Gold Still Flowing
This Way.
NEW YORK, March 23-R. q. Dun &
Co. S review of trade for the week says:
After the "blizzardn a temporary increase
Of business at least was necessary to make
up for lost time and to meet delayed orders.
The increased activity from this cause has
extended through the past week, and it is
not yet clear whether definite improvement
in general trade has not come with it.
In speculative markets there has certainly
been more activity, though generally at
the expense Of values Stocks, breadstuffs,
provisions, cotton, sugar and oil are little
lower, but with larger transactions.
SALES OF THE WEEK.
The sales of stocks have reached l 300, 900
shares for tie week, 1900, 900 bushels Of
corn, 100000 bushels Of oats, 5000, 900
bushels Of wheat, of cotton 7SS, 900 bales,
and OF coffee 81, 900 bags.
Stocks have declined about SOC per share
wit an important fall in some OF TIE more
prominent. Wheat is 1c., and oats 119c.
lover lard and cotton &C. lower, sugar
l l6c., and oil SC, while coffee and gin have
each gained &c.
1t is felt that the future turns largely
upon the money market, which has been
very easy, but the steady loss of reserves
by he banks, if continued at this season,
may at any time bring u sudden change.
FOREIGN CAPITAL COMING IN.
Up to March /. in spite of the sales of
stocks on foreign account, there is evidence
that foreign capital continued TO come
hither, probably on account of bonds nego-
tlated late last year or early in January
The returns of foreign commerce for Feb
ruary show imports exceeding exports of
merchandise by so, l92, 1852, Aing the ex-
cess for the two months s., 655, 576, while
the net exports Of gold were ISL ,769, and
Of silver 81 $50, 437. Considering the
half yearly interest and dividends due
abroad, and undervaluations Of imports
certainly more than $50, 100000 of foreign
capital must have come hither, but the ex-
ports since March /, fall q Il per cent. be-
low last year, and the imports are per
cent. above last year.
The large movement Of cotton and other
products seems to have passed., and mean
while the market indicates sales of securi
ties on foreign account.
Reports from the interior ara generally
quite favorable, considering the Interrupt
JlOn WHICH the storms must nave caused.
HoPEFULNEss IN THE SOUTH.
At Southern points activity and early
opening of spring trade inspire hopeful
anticipations, though the margin for profits
Is very narrow.
Of the larger branches of trade, the boot
and shoe appears most cheerful, buyers
reporting a good trade throughout the
country.
The dry goods business has been more
active for the past week. with steady de-
msnd and unchanged prices for cottons,
but woolens are in less satisfactory
shape. The demand for dress goods is
moderate, buyers pausing for the large
Arlington sale, and the frequency of auc-
tons. of which no less than six occurred
Yesterday, is a feature not entirely encour-
aging.
THE IRON TRADE.
The iron trade is helped by decrease in
imports, which fell to n, 643 tons for Janu-
airy. against 81 PAT last year, and for
February the British shipments to
this country were only 4, 40 tons, against
II 403 last year Yet constant offers of
Southern and Western products at prices a
little below Eastern quotations continues to
depress prices. No pig is
quoted 20d2l; grey forge at II. The
best refined bar is sold by
some at 1.1q, but by others at 1.8, and steel
rails are quoted at SOL the orders up to