New-York tribune., 1896-03-31
CLOSING PRICES OF CHICAGO STOCKS.
LOSING PRICES OF PHILADELPHIA STOCKS
ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE.

There were no gold bills in the foreign en-
change market to-day or Other indications OF
gold exports beyond continued firnness In rates
and scarcity OF commercial bills, but various
rumors were pu. forth that there would be gold
shipments in the course Of the week. The rate
at which the precious metal can be exported
profitably raised trifle to-day by the action
Of the Bank Of England in reducing its pur-
chasing price for American gold from us lOd.
to 77s 3D., and this interpreted on the Stock
Exchange as an Indication of exports this
week Such a conclusion, however. Is rather
hasty for under present conditions the exchange
market Is subject to sudden and rapid changes.
Exports may be postponed for week especially
If a call is made by the Treasury Department
for a part OF the bond funds held by depository
banks. Interest 10 the amount on S5,t0O,0OO on
the old per cents will be due on April !, and the
impression is that the amount 80 disbursed on
interest account will be taken from the deposi-
tory banks. Rates for actual business In the
exchange market reached 4sS for demand ster
ling II Is estimated that shipments OF gold can
be made at a profit at about 4s9l1, under exist
ing conditions and some foreign exchange houses
are inclined to believe that this rate will be
touched in the course OF the week.
The situation in stocks. as far as the character
of the trading Is concerned was not altered to-
day. but sentiment favored the bull side OF the
market and advances were made by the majority
of shares Room traders were Influenced to
some extent by the absence Of gold engagements
and by the excellent showing Of the st. Paul and
other companies for February. as indicated In
their reports published to-day.
St. Paul increased In gross earnings In Feb
ruary s37s15 and In net earnings. SlH,lOS. max
ing the increase In net earnings since July J,
81, $50, ss4. The February report was not so good
as that Of January, but better than any other
February In the history OF the company. The
Atchison system for February showed an in
stocks was larger than In any day In the last
two weeks but Of the total sales-196.57O shares--
American Tobacco Sugar Refining, Rock Island
Burlington. st. Paul and Louisville and Nash
Vile furnished l30.0S4 shares Tobacco was ad-
vanced over per cent by the manipulators who
have been engineering its course In the last few
weeks and the Changers were strong on the
railway returns and the Increased volume in
the grain movement, and the advances In these
issues impaired strength to the entire railway
list Tobacco Rock Island. Burlington and
Coal and Iron were UP lMlA per
cent: elsewhere among the active shares net gains
being fractions. While Of no influence upon stocks
certain decisions given by the Supreme Court to-
day received considerable attention In the street
These were the import case denying the right OF
the Interstate Commerce Commission to fix rates
the Great Northern Northern Pacific case, In
which the courts decision prevents the consoli-
dation Of the two properties as contemplated by
Mr. Hill Of the Great Northern, and the case or
the State Of Kentucky against the Louisville and
Nashville Railroad Company, in which the de- sion
is against the railroad. The last-named case was
In regard to the purchase Of the Chesapeake. Ohio
and Southwestern and from the meagre details
OF the decision at hand. II appears that the llll-
nos Central will get the road.
Closing pricee OF a number OF active stocks COM
pare with Saturdays as follows: