The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-01-09
BRADsTREETrs REPORT.

New York, January 5.-Bradstreets
will say tomorrow: The business
world has marked time" this week.
pending the results OF annual stock
takings and the passing away OF the
holiday influences which usually make
for quietness at this period. Aside
from the strengthening of values of a
number Of staples. such as the cereals,
provisions and cotton, which are spec
ulatively dealt in, there has been no
decided movement forward, but, on
the other hand, the strength of all
other staple values point TO there hav-
ing been no backward steps taken
Perhaps the most notable movement
among leading staples is that devel-
oped in. hogs and hog products, a bet
ter realization apparently being had of
the features making for strength in
those prodIcets, notably among which
being the reduction in the supply of
hogs, which, like the similar falling
| off in the number of cattle, has gone
on for a number of years past. That
the advance in hog products is begin
ming to attract more attention seems
evident from the extent to which this
advance has had sympathetic reflec-
ton in the prices of wheat n other
cereals, which really trace some of
the strength which has been shown
this week to that source.
While stocks of wheat have fallen
off in Europe the shipments thereto in
December were the lightest recorded
for many years past, still stocks have
increased in this country to nearly as
great an extent.
Owing to the continual light move
| ment and the confidence with which
holders maintain prices, cotton has ad-
vanced slightly during the week. 1t is
evident the new plan of warehousing
cotton is having a measurable inffu-
ence upon the movement in sight.
In iron and steel quiet strength has
as for many weeks past, been a nota-
BILE feature. A rather more aggressive
feeling is noted at Chicago, where
wire and nails have been considerably
advanced, and bar steel, angles and
channels have also moved upward.
With the country's production sold
ahead as heavily as it is there is
naturally little or no immediate bust
ness offering. No sign of weakness in
the steal market is perceptible and
there has been, in fact, a marking up
of the nominal rates. The hardware
trade has completed a year remarkae
BILE in many respects, and the signih-
cant report comes from the west that
a number of salesman did not leave
the road at all during the holidays,
but kept steadily at work. Light hard
ware of some sorts has been marked
up this week.
Lumber is seasonably quiet, but al
ready preparations for an active
spring business are perceptible. A
point of much interest to the lumber
trad is the possible placing of an
immense order, estimated at 10, 600, 900
feet of yellow pine, for the Pan-Amer-
lean exposition building at Buffalo.
Prices show no weakness.
Textiles display notable strength.
Next season cotton goods will all open
higher, and in finished products par
ticularly there is chance for expansion
as quotations in these lines nave not
moved up to a parity with gray goods.
The short supply of water is beginning
to effect the output of New England
cotton mills, and this promises TO in
troduce still another element of
strength into holders positions.
Wool, though quiet. is strong and
manufactured goods will certainly
open at good advances. Tie bulk of
the old GRO is claimed to have already
been marketed. Export trade for our
fine wool is good, as evidenced by
some shipments this week to England,
and some buyers are said to have
bought wool that is yet on the sleeps
backs in the west.
Wheat, including flour, shipments
for the week, aggregate 2,509. 682 BUSH
els against $780, 6S bushels in the cor
responding week in 1899. Since July
1st this season, the exports Of wheat
aggregate log, 493, S79 bushels against
128, ,977 bushels last year.
Corn export for the week aggregate
4,119,036 bushels, against 4,814, 28S BUSH
els in this week a year ago, and $685.
423 bushels in 1896. Since July 1st this
season corn exports aggregate 125, $780,
1S1 bushels, against So, 1874, 927 bushels
during the same period a year ago.
Business failures for the week num-
Der 229. as compared with 220 last
week, 231 in this week a year ago. 33
in 1898 and ass in 1897.