The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-01-20
SPECULATION NOW
DULL TO DEAFNESS
General Trade and Prices
Maintain Even Balance.
RETAIL TRADE IS QUIET
AFFECTED By THE PHENOME
NALIY MILD WEATHER.
THIS APPLIES TO SEASONABLE GOODS
Wherever Spring Tra!e Has Developed, Par,
ticuIarIy in Dry Goods it Has Been 10
Large Volume. Iron and Steel
industries Still Active.
Industries Still Active.


New York. Jan. 10 Bradstrcets to-
morrow will say:
General trade and prices as a whole
even balance which has been
the leading feature for some time
past and in which it will require the
advent Of distinctly new features to
affect any basic change. General de-
mand is large for this season of the
year but speculation is qu;et to the eX-
IRENE Of dizziness i'll some lines and es-
ppcally in those branches of speculation
which go to radically affect financial af-
fairs and therefore the volume Of bank
clearings.
Close examination of leading lines of
industry fails to show marked unfavor-
able features. 1t is true that retail trade
in seasonahle goods has been and is be-
ing affected by phenomenaliy mild-winter
weather. but wherever spring trade, par
ticrllarly in dry goods. has been develop
ed, it has been in such volume and ac-
comranied with such Il readiness of ac-
ccptance OF advanced prices as to point
to undiminiShed confidence on the part
OF the trade world as TO the outlook for
spring business.
THE iron and steel industry justly
regarded as Il trustworthy index of gen
eral trade. is still actively employed on
old orders and new business is limited
for reasons unnecessary 10 recapitulate.
Ii is evident that the few reactions in
prices shown in such an ordinarily dull
period as this have strengthened rather
than lessened confidence i'll the future.
Signs of preparation for the coming sea-
sons needs are shown i'll the reported
active inquiry for steel rails at the
west. recent sales at Chicago aggregat-
ing so 600 tons. some of which are for
northwestern railroads and some for eX-
port.
production is as evidently hard push
ed as ever and the question Of fuel sup
plies rather than of new orders. en-
crossed manufacturers attention. Some
concessions in foundry iron are noted,
but, aside from this. price changes are
within very narrow limits. The other
metals are rather stronger, copper and
tin being weak, the latter in sympathy
with advances abroad. Spring trade in
hardware is opening we'll and advances
in prices are generally reported.
Cereals are dull in nearly all direc-
tons and the pressure of enlarged
stocks particularly abroad. has been in
iluential this week in bringing about a
price reaction in prices.
Corn and oats. however. are rather
firmer ON foreign buying, though sympa-
thetically affected by the decline iii the
leading cereal.
Coffee is active speculation being in
auencpd by higher European adviees and
evidence of large domestic constructive
demand. Apparently improved British
prospects in South Africa are assigned
as the reason for the better buying Of
cotton, resulting in Il fractional advance
this week. The crop movement still
continues much smaller than expected by
the bears. Cotton goods are meeting
with good demand on spring account.
Concessions ut second hands are report
ed. owing mainly TO backward deliveries
now arriving being unsold by receivers.
Rather more inquiry is noted tor wool,
particularly mt Boston. and mems wear
sales for next Fail are meeting with
good patronage notwithstanding the adj
vances demanded. Fine woods are at
about the highest point reached in tweaty
years
Lumber is strong, particularly white
pine grades. partly because of smaller
stocks and possibly smaller cut in the
Northwest as Il result of lack OF snow
and partly because of a@hopefu feeling rs
TO the building outlook the coming spring.
Wheat. including flour, shipments for
the week aggregate 3,061 ,026 bushels,
against 24S.926 bushels last week;
3.19S.671 bushels in the corresponding
week of 1890: 3.726,064 bushels in 1898:
2.916.70 bushels in 1891 and 3,S49.2I1
bushels in 1896 Since July LIST this
season the export of wheat aggregate
1f3.S03.S3 bushels. against 1919 234. 10
bushels last year and III .56S,9T4 bushels
in 1S97-9S.
3199.312 bushels, against 3,314 SO
bushels last week; 92S.191 bushels in
this week year ago: 3.4S6.713 bushels
in 1893: 3.520.322 bushels in 1897, and
3. 1925 bushels in 1896. Since July
LIST this season corn exports. corrected
aggregate 122 030.069 bushels. against
% O201 100 bushels during the same
period year ago and 81 .931 .139 bushels
in 1S919S.
Business failures in the United States
are fewer in number, there being 253
for tn week.. as compared with 90 last
week: 2i2 in this week a year ago:
500 in 1898; 429 in 1897 and 341 in 1896
Business failures in the Dominion of
Canada for the week number 30. as
compared with 2S hast week: 30 in this
week Il year ago; 46 in 1898: % i'll 1897
and y in 1896.