Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-23
MARKET QUOTATIONS.
REPORTS FROM ALL GREAT BUsI-
NESS CENTRES OF THE WORLD.
Prices OF Money, bonds, Stocks
Grain, Tobacco, Cotton, Cattle
Country Produce, &C., Foreign
and Domestic.

NEW YORK, December 22.-There was
nothing in to-day's stock market TO re-
flute the opinion generally held in Wall
street that speculation in securities VIII
continue dull until after the first OF the
year, and Of the release Of come of the
funds at present locked UP in large fran
cial operations. Sagging prices are gene
rally the accompaniment of such mar
ket. but there was sufficient strength in
special stocks, due to special causes to-
day, to act as a sustaining force on the
general list, and net gains are the rule,
in consequence. The marked features In
the trading and the centres Of great
strength were the local traction compa-
MES. The motives for the buying of
these stocks were the reports OF an abb
solute compromise between the Metro
politan and the Third-avenue companies,
and a belief that the chances were rot
good for the success of the underground
rapid transit scheme. Third avenue was
benefited to the extent of 3 points, and
Metropolitan Street Railway over 2. Man
haitian rose points. but lost fraction.
The Coalers were also aggressively
strong, and showed gains Of between
and 2 points. the Reading issues being
especially prominent There were vague
rumors Of an intended dividend on Read
ing's first preferred stock, which iriiu-
enced the trading.
The industrial specialties generally
show net gains of quite large fractions.
The statements of estimated earnings
for the last quarter OF the year d the
several Vanderbilt railroads were viewed
unfayorably, and acted as something OF a
drag on the railroad list.
Call loans were made to-day at rates
! ranging between and per cent, and
there was a further decline in Iosted
rates for both long and short sterling,
they being marked down 1-2, actual husi-
ness being done at a decline or IL Tor
cable transfers and long sterling and OF
| Is for demand sterling. The price Tor
demand sterling at the time OF the gold
| import movement last September old not
fall below s4&1-i. Money was cheaper
| in Europe and London at that time than
row. The present stiffness in the money
| market II Is believed. will be only tenn
porary. and the completion of the opera
lions connected with the Union Pacihc
settlement, and the disbursements incl
| dent TO the beginning OF the year, Will
give relief. For this reason the weakness
of exchange has not induced talk Of gold
! imports at New York. Gold is, however
on the way from Australia to San Fran
cisco. The bond market was compare
lively inactive. especially in some OF the
favorite speculative issues, but prices
were well maintained. Total sales, N,4Oo,-
| 600.
| United States new As, coupon. declined
Is bid. The total sales OF stocks to-day
were 1S44OO shares, including Chicago
Burlington and Quincy, 1l,75; Manhattan
l. 24.925: Metropolitan Street Railway
7537: Northern Pacific preferred. 4526;
| ontario and Western. 7,245 st. Paul, 1850
| chicago Great Western. $500; Sugar. 1880
MONEY AND EXCHANGE.
| Money OH call stiff at 21-2G4 per cent;
last loan at 8 per cent; closing offered
AZ 1-9G3 per cent; prime mercantile pa
per. 31-2G4 1-2 per cent
Sterling exchange dull and easy, with
| oot,al business in bankers bills al
q 1-26A4 SIS for demand, and H.a la
s115.S for sixty days; posted rates
s4S21- 26Hs31 IL and S4.S5 1-2qA.S IL; COM
mercial bills. s4.N.
silver certificates. IS 3-4fi57 3D.. Bar Sill
vsr s7-s. Mexican dollars, 10 5-S
Government bonds firm. state bonds
dull. Railroad bonds nrm'