The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-02-07
STOCKS AFFECTED
BY NEWS OF WAR
Prices Extremely Variable But
Ended With Little Change.
MANY CONFLICTING REPORTS
Reached the Street as to the Probable
ity of the Confirmation of the Peace
Treaty, and Were Instrument
tai in Swaying Values.

New York, February 6.-Stock prices were
extremely variable today, but ended with
only fractional net changes, the majority
oil which were upwards.
Many conflicting reports reached the
street as to the proba bilities OF confirmation
or rejection of the Spanish peace treaty,
and these were instrumental In swaying
values. The Philippines uprising at Manila
was disturbing. Stocks opened below Lon
don parity, and there were material de-
clines in a number of cases. Lake Erie and
Western opened down ga Southern Pacific,
37s, and numerous other shares to the ex-
tent of point or more. Tobacco ran of
21s and later extended its declines to over
6 points on the announcement that rival
company had absorbed an important indie
pendent concern.
London sold about 600 shares of stock.
Traders bought on the decline and prices
improved. Although dealings were much
contracted compared with recent averages,
prices rose above Saturdays close. A num-
Der of high-priced stocks, including New
York Central and Pennsylvania, toget,4er
with the local traction and gas stocks were
conspicuous in the recovery, as were Pacific
Mail and Chicago Great Western preferred.
Prices again fell off perceptibly, stop-loss
orders were reached in some cases and COM
mission houses sold freely.
Twin City Rapid Transit decreased 4, while
Sugar, Lead, Peoples Gas, Federal Steel
and Omaha. sagged to the lowest. Houses
with Washington connections were wa. ched
narrowly with view of getting some inti-
NATION by their dealings as to the treatys
chances, but no decided tendency one way
or the other could be detected. Toward mid
day the market worked upward, with minor
periods of depression, but gradually top
figures were generally reached. The i'm
preston prevailed in some quarters that the
outburst of the Filipinos assured the
treaty's ratification, and on the theory that
settlement of the uncertainty would be
beneficial there was buying of stocks.
On the other hand, many desired to re-
duce their commitments over night as a
precautionary measure, and these contend
ing interests gave the market its appear
ance of great activity. The feverisnness
which prevailed in the early dealings in
measure gradually disappeared as the day
wore on and the middle and low-priced
stocks sympathized in the advancing tend
ency of gilt-edge stocks. In the final deal
ings there were slight recessions from the
best prices.
The bond market showed marked heayi-
ness in the early transactions but later i'm
proved III SpOlS, ClOSlIS lAAO5uAol' ioeoA
sales, 100000.
United States old As coupon advanced ",
and do registered and the IS " in the bid
price.
Total sales of stocks today were 726,1o0
shares including: 1900, Atchison; 51,52O
Atchison, preferred; 1772o Burlington;
1850 Louisville and Nashville; 1S0,l2O Man.
haitian; 9,S40 Readingi 1920 Missouri Pa
cifc; 2O,020 New York Central; 1920 Rock
Island; 1880 ST. Paul; 5,635 Southern; $50
Southern, preferred; 1920 Tobacco; 20,S20
Sugar; 1880 Tennessee Coal and Iron.
Money on call steady, 2q21s per cent;
last loan, 2h per cent; prime mercantile
paper, 224@3 per cent; sterling exchange
steady, with actual business in bankers
bills at $4S5AQ4S1s for demand and at
$4S3A@4. S31h for sixty days; posted rates,
S4S4@4S41z; commercial bills S4.S21a@4.S3;
silver certificates, 59I4@6O1A; bar silver, 6s%;
Mexican dollars, AZ.
Government bonds very strong.
State bonds inactive.
Railroad bonds irregular.