The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-02-19
Review Of the Business Situation for the
Week by Dunn and Hradsireet.
EXPORTS CONTINUE VERY HEAVY
Wheat Receipts Hold UP weli-Co.-
ION Was Unchanged for spot,
Though n Little ..owcr for Options
Prices on Nearly nil Kinds OF
Grain Advanced.

CO.'S review of trade says:
The dreadful disaster to the Maine,
much as 1t has affected all hearts, has
not much affected business.
Wheat q risen 3k cents and eX-
ports continue SO heavy that a mater
lal is natural. Atlantic cx-
ports in three weeks have been S,416,-
49I bushels, flour included, against
5,66l,9I1 last year, and Pacific exports
ave been 2,476,652, against THAT'S last
year. Such shipments, with heavy en-
gagements for the future, in spita Of
!I'45O,s3l bushels corn exported, against
12'oo',2l4 bushels In the same week last
year, are conclusive proof If The ur-
sehcy OF foreign needs. Wheat re-
ceipts hold up well, though net cx-
ceeuinG last years as mu ,h as eX-
ports, in three weeks 7,775, $50 bushels.
against 4,SS4,740 last year. The bot
tom TACT Is that the world needs wheat
whlch this country can only supply fJr
ABOUT SIX months to come.
Cotton was held unchanged for spot
though a little lower for options, pros
pects or decrease in the next WELD be-
ing The main supper
LII the cotton manufac Droduc-
tion IS restricted by strikes and some
grades are a shade dearer. The recent
opening or high grade woolens at adj
Fanced prices meets less demand trun
, NPSStcuI "iun less ACTIVITY in
lower grades and Unexpectedly nnmer-
u cancellations in light weights. in
uicating larger buying than
ton has yet warranted.
failures for the week have been o05
IN the United States. against 303 lnst
year and 30 in Canada, against SIS last
year.
BRADSTRIoET'S REVIEW.
Bradstreet's tomorrow will say:
'aVoraple features dominate the
general business situation as n whole.
ana few commercial conditions present
themselves which can be regarded us
~ ahy oesree disturbing. Chief among
thoSe factors which make for con-
tinue or growing strength in COM
mercial line may be mentioned the
rehewed tendency toward advances in
quotations OF all staple articles. und
the steadinesS of prices in other limos
where increases are not at the momcn
re~portable. Perhaps second in the list
OF suspicious features Is the con-
Of marked activity in nearly
a@ pranches of the iron and steel
tlade, more prominently in the Central
west, where 1t is authoritatiyely ro-
ported over 80 per cent. of the pig iron
furnace capacity is in blast. Tho fail
ure OF me southern furnace men 10
'each q price agreement Is, Of course
a depressing feature in that partic,Ilor
section which, however, finds a. counter
balancing factor in the intention of
advance prices, reported from tho Ras-
semer ore producers.
n volume of d%istributlve trada
SHOWS an increase notably In dry
goods ana groceries; also many widely
separated points as to warrant the
conclusion that spring trade is receive
ing q ~perceptible impetus.
me bicycle rad is reported start
ing up well at the West. but is still
SLOW at the East. where, however, the
cotton goods situation is one of hone
full strength of raw material and tro
restriction of production due to the
New England mill strikes. The
strength or cotton, and rice and
the demand for iron all favor tho
southern trade situation, which is also
oeins helped by the growing foreign
trade in cotton goods.
BUSINESS failures continue to de-
crease, a~ggreGating only 269 for the
week, gains 273 last week. 800 in thc
corresponding week of 1897. 276 in 1soG
32f in 1895 and 235 in 1891. OF the total
NUMBER of concerns failing 81 per cent,
had a capital not exceeding S.. 900 and
10 per cent. a capital below $50, 600.
Prices OF nearly all kinds of grains.
put notably wheat, corn and -four. and
VI most metals, and particularly steel
oilets, copper, lead and tin. have ad-
Vahced. The agreement by the BESSIE
mcr ore producers will probably re-
suit In an advance on the coming sea
sons output.
Cereal exports tend to Increase. Icx-
ports of wheat (iour %included) for the
week aggregate 3.932.7i4 bushels. as
against 3,4l9.0O0 bushels last week.
2'l2o,o0O bushels last year. 3.1i9, 900
bushels In 1896 and 1,S0S, 900 bushels in
1895. h bulk Of this increase over
last week Is chargcable to large -four
exports. Indian corn exports for the
week are also larger. rejecting the
turning of attention toward the lower
priced cereals In a total amounting TO
a'036,o00 bushels as compared with
i.5OS, 600 bushels last week, 6,4i1. 600
bushels in this week Il year ago, 2.925.-
ooo bushels In 1896 and 500, 900 bushels
in 1895.