Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-04
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, May 3.-There was q
greatly improved tone in the dealings
In stocks to-day. and values held appre-
ciably frmer. The volume OF trading
also increased somewhat, but 1t Is still
extraordinarily small. This reflects the
increased confidence of the stock market
concerning the shipments OF gold TO Eu-
rope. Fears on this score have parity
abated. The fact that new engagements
for export were made to-day, with actual
business being done in demand sterling
at $l.S71-i TO the pound. confirms the be-
lief that the gold movement Is not the
result OF a natural settlement OF trade
balances, but Of a special demand for
gold, involving the payment OF pre-
MUM for 1t. The closest estimate That
can be made shows the profit on goid
SHIPMENTS TO cease when demand sterling
fails TO s.SS. The fact that a premium
must be paid for the present gold SHIP
ments Is coming to cause the operation TO
be REGARDED as a business operation PROM
table to the country. and as heaithy IN
dication OF the abundant supply or gold IN
the country, marking IL as the pest source
of suuply for a special demand such as
that of Austria at present, with Russia
and Japan also strongly attracting goiu'
all of this demand being for currency
conversion purposes. Although the United
states Treasury has supplied neary All
OF this stock OF gold for the present
movement. the movement OF gold into
the Treasury continues at apparently the
same rate as for some time past. Inc
current government receipts also are III
excess of expenditures. because OF the
heavy importations CT dutiable mercnan-
disc to anticipate the new tariH Dill
While these importations serve 10 make
the exchange situation more adverse. their
benefit TO the United States Treasury ana
the consequent safeguard 10 the currency
are viewed as n compensation. in part. at
least. The fact that the price OF gold
bars and American eagles was reduced
I'm London, and that the Paris rates TOT
sterling exchange rose slightly has also
given rise to the belief that there may
be only a small shipment OF gold. or none
at all by next Saturdays steamer.
The brighter aspect of affairs on the
Tondon exchange was also favorable
factor in to-days market. Gains ranging
from 1 10 81 occurred In Northern IA
cifc preferred Louisville and Nashvihe
Neu, Jersey Central. Sugar. Tobacco. Con-
solidated Gas. and Brooklyn Union Gas
The gain in the Changers averaged %
and fractional gains were general a'
through the list. the railways closing al
points at or near top prices. me pear
attacked special stocks, in an enort &c
stem the Improvement. and worked th'
lines successfully in the Gould STOCKS:
The total sales Of stocks anounlei u
zoe st2 shares. including American Sugar
pcfnerv, 1900; Chicago Gas. 1890: st
Paul 100: Manhattan Consolidated 5oco
Tennessee Coal and Iron. 5.4)O: western
I-nion Telegraph Company 1880.
rho bond market displayed increased
activitv. and there was material broad
ching in the dealings. \ number OF th'
,,s,aIlv inactive shares participated In th'
e-,oc,Gation. The changes lacked conse
onence. but decidedly firm tone wa'
H,ra-ont The aggregate OF the sales
co,,crnments were pressed for sale anc
shov,ed concessions Of a slight fraction II
,ho more active issues. The sales were
$4,000. ~, rvcu.NcE
Nancy on call easy at 1-2a2 per cent.
,ost loan. . per cent; closing oifered a
i-oGi2 per cent; prime mercantile paper
31-2Gi per cent. IA. o.,,o
Sterling exchange steady, WIN ac.ua
BUSINESS in bankers bills az Ns' I-,t
s,s-1-2 for demand and H.So l-lpeS' :s, !, I,
80 stvtv DAYS: posted rates, A.S4SLS IL
commercial bills. SiS ~. III, .,
SILVER silver certificates. 81 IA bar silver, 81
Sa,.orrncn; bonds weak; State bond:
dull. railroad bonds ffni'
NEW YORK STOCK QUOTATIONS.