Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-19
Dull, BUT firm Market,
WITH IRREGULAR CLOSING
Coppers and Affiliated Shares Are
the Chief Features, With Some
New Records.
Rails and Motors Continue to Be the
Backward Stocks, Early Gains
Being Reduced Later.

NEW YORK, February 19-Coppers
and affiliated shares. like Butte and Su-
perior and American Zinc. were the
chief features of today's dull but firm
market, with new records for Utah and
Chino. American Smelling and Mexi-
can Petroleum also rose substantially
on more favorable Mexican advtces.
Some of the tobacco group and other
specialties were better by to points
and distinctive war stocks were l to 2
points higher.
Marine preferred. fertilizers and Pitts
burgh Coal Common and preferred
shared variably in the rise.
United States Steel was Arm and
Bethlehem Steel rose 10A to 479, pre-
sumably in consequence Of its latest ac-
QUESTION.
Rails and motors were the backward
features. Gains were materially re-
duced later. The closing was irregular.
Active Issues Score Early.
Further improvement in prices was
registered on the resumption of trad
ing today, all active issues. with the
exception of rails and Baldwin Loco
motive. scoring gains ranging from
fractions to over a point.
Metal shares were again most promi-
nent, with a continuance of the recent
activity in Utah. Butte and Superior
and American Zinc.
American Smelling also was in fair
demand. United States Steel held at a
slight gain, and other shares of that
class were firm.
Among recognized war issues General
Electric, with an advance OF ~, and
American Coal Products featured the
high-priced specialties with gain of
points.
Heaviness Marks the Week.
Four days of heaviness OF irregular
cries, summarizes the course of this
weeks stock market.
Operations were Influenced to an un-
usual extent by external affairs, revival
of the Lusitania episode and uneasiness
regarding conditions in Mexico being
responsible for numerous early recess
sions In specific issues.
values was the markets weak tech
nical condition arising largely from a
long over extension OF the bull account.
Speculative holdings were SO well mar
gined. however. as to cause little en-
forced liquidation.
Metals Help to Lift List.
Metal shares constituted the out
standing features and helped in a great
measure to lift the list out of its rut in
the later dealings.
New high records were scored by sew
eral of the leading coppers as well as
by Butte and Superior and American
Zinc. the two last named being very
active and making greatest gains.
ucts at steadily mounting prices, to-
gether with large earnings by produc
Ing companies implying increased divi-
dend distributions. were the propelling
factors in this group.
Railways Give Promise.
Similar conditions apply to the steel
and iron industry. several Of the indie
pendent manufacturers submitting
very favorable reports for 1915, these
in some instances being supplemented
by further disbursements to share
holders.
Purchase by the United States Steel
Corporation of some S2a.000.000 Of its
first mortgage or Carnegie" bonds
for cash out Of its huge assets testi-
fed to the strong financial position Of
the corporation.
Additional railway returns showing
further gains in gross for January
gave promise of excellent net state
ments later. Several new financial
and including more foreign loans or
credits. pointed anew to this country's
increasing power as the center OF
world finance.