Evening star., 1932-12-18
Commodity Price
Trends of Week
BY II. N. McGILL,
Editor, McGill Commodity Service. Inc.

.. Editor, McGill Commodity Service Inc.
AUBURNDALE, Mass, December II
Commodity prices during the past
week recorded a sharp reversal in trends
when compared with the downward
movement in recent weeks. The index
of all commodities advanced, ref1ectlne
the upward movement of out Of II
individual groups Only three groups
All commodities recorded the flrSt re-
covery of Importance since the latter
part of September. Throughout the past
five months the average level OF all COM
modities has successfully held above the
extreme lows established last May and
June. At the present time the level OF
, all commodities stands per cent above
the extreme low reached during this
depression.
Industrial List.
Industrial commodities also recorded
scme strength during the past week
representing an interruption in the
eSS since early october. The industrial
group now stands 2 per cent above last
June'S low. This is of considerable in
terest because of the adverse influences
that have been acting as weigh on
commodity prices in recent weeks. The
foreign debt situation has caused un-
certainty and industrial activity is feel
ing the influence of seasonal recession
1t is remarkable that commodity prices
including the industrial group. have
shown substantial resistance to beariSh
pressure.
Agricultural prices were also higher
during the week just passed. This
group now stands Is per cent above the
July low and has shown a greater pro-
pOrtionate recovery than any of the II
groups involved in the general index
Sentiment is improving largely through
the anticipation of future farm relief
through new legislation sponsored by
the incoming administration.
Live stock prices were only fraction
ally higher ir fact, the movement up
ward is hardly worthy of comment The
price advance in live stock which oc-
CURED from June through early August
has been entirely wiped out and the
price level is comparable again with
the extreme low in this depression
Total receipts of cattle. sheep and hogs
although under average. are fully ade-
quate to cope with curtailed per capita
consumption.
Textiles advanced quite sharply, re-
tiecting the trend of spot cotton, which
climbed above the 6-cent level. Silk
also showed more disposition to ad-
vance.
Fuels were slightly higher, caused by
the slight advance in the average price
of bituminous coal f. O. b. mines. A
moderate upswing at this time of the
year Is entirely seasonal.
Building materials advanced for the
second consecutive week. brick prices
causing the first advance and the re-
vision this past week in lumber prices
causing a further elevation in the
building material index
Summarizing price developments, the
nine groups that advanced, represent
ing the basis for higher quotation In
the general index, were as follows: In
duStrial. agricultural, live stock. build
ing materials. fuels. paint materials
textiles fine. coarse textiles and vege-
table oils. The three groups that de-
cllned were hides and leather, non.
ferrous metals and paper and pulp
The two groups which remained un-
changed were chemicals and ferrous
metals.
Important Changes.
Most important price changes in the
, McGlL weekly price index: