Omaha daily bee., 1890-01-19
THE CONDITION OF TRADE.
Cold Weather Acting as a Stimulant
to Business.
A STIFF DEMAND FOR MONEY.
Rates from g to 10 per C~ent-Coliec-
tons Not Unsausfactory-tinan-
" cinliy the Situation Is Better
Than Anticipated.
The Weeks Record.

The clearings for the week footed s4,004,-
2T4.23, an increase of les per cent.
Bankers designate the money market as
close with a stiff demand, but say they are
able to take care of regular customers with
out trouble. Rates s to 10 per cent.
Collections are not unsatisfactory. City
jobbers are meeting all the demands prompt
ly and retailers are keeping their end up in
pretty good style and there is no great com
plant from the country. In fact, the situa-
ton financially is better than was antici.
pated, viewed from the standpoint OF I'M
seasonabie weather and low prices for
products.
Jobbers say the cold weather has brought
them a fair business from retailers who
have needed to stock up in some lines of
winter wear, and that the trade IN spring
goods is better for the cold snap. In fact
the cold weather has accelerated trade in all
lines and put traders in good humor.
Prices are very steady. Sugars are strong
at quotations and perhaps higher than a
week ago. Coffees are quotable at sc
higher for fair green Rio. Rice Is active
and the southern markets are hardening.
Seeds are steady and fax seed is slightly
firmer. Fish are firm, and as the Lenten
season approaches values may go higher.
In drugs there is an active demand for
qulnlne ana morphia, and prices are very
firm.
In dairy products there has been a better
demand for eggs and prices are up, with
strictly fresh quoted at l60lIc and no de-
mand existing for cold storage stock. But
ter continues in excessive supply and quota
lions are nominal. Too much Door butter is
shipped to this market and while there Is al
ways a good local demand for choice grades,
the bulk of the receipts are taken by packers
at prices too low to afford a profit to the ship
per.
Dealers in building material report a pretty
fair demand for finishing stuff for inside
work, but trade is as a rule quiet.
Pork and beef products are lower.
The New York shipping list says Of raw
sugar: The market has ruled quiet during
the past three days, business having been re.
stricted to some extent by the small availa-
BILE supply on the spot and moderate offer
ines OF cargoes 10 arrive or for shipment,
but while Muscovado grades have main.
easier because more readily obtainable for
prompt shipment, and a cargo near at hand
has been placed at 1-16c, less than was paid
last week. The demand has been moderate,
rehners owl less anxiety to rcpleuish
their stocks on account of a falling off IN the
demand for refined, increased receipts of raw
material by direct importation, the limited
supply on the spot in the hands of importers,
and their reluctance to create any influence
that would De likely to advance prices
abroad. Retineries are evidently nursing
the market by keeping their stocks within
the mario west compass compatible with
safety, under the belief that the offerings
will become more abundant later and be
available at comparatively lower prices than
are now current. Muscovado grades have
sold at 8 l-16 for 81 test, which is equivalent
to 5 BIG for 50 test, while a cargo OF
Ccntritugals have sold at 5 9-16 cents for 96
test. On cost and freight terms a cargo of
Cuba centrifugal for prompt shipment has
been placed ut 3 $3.50 for SO test, but later
shipments could be bought at 80. Buyers
are only disposed to take an occasional cargo
for prompt or near shipment the latter Offer
ngs receiving no attention. A few parcels
OF beet for prompt shipment have been sold
at 12s 6d@12s Cd, cost and freight, but yes
terday sellers asked 12s l0l9d@13s.
The sales reported since our last issue
have been $50 hhds. English islands, 81
test, at 8 Lie cents; a steamer cargo of Cuba
centrifugal, prompt shipment, 3 5-32, cost
Demerara centrifugal, 59-16 for SO test;
1000 hhds. domestic molasses sugar, So test,
from Philadelphia, at a private price.
The direct importations on r~etiners' &C
count since our last issue have amounted to
40 hhds. ana 34,331 bags, and the estimated
stock in first hands yesterday consisted OF
50 hhds., G2, 603 bags and mats and AS hhds.
Melado.
LONDON, Jan. ls.-Cane, quiet; price
barely steady. Java, Ids, Cd. Fair refining,
13s
i3eet-Dull and rather easier; January, lis,
Tad; February, lis, ID.
Stock in four ports of the United Kingdom
5000 tons, against lbs, 600 tons last year.
Refined-The demand has been fair, but
not as active as last week and prices have
ruled steady.