14 MARCH 1931, Page 49

Financial Notes

Goon TONE MAINTAINED.

ALTHOUGH it is true that in some departments there has been a slight reactionary tendency in prices during the last few days owing to the absence of active dealings, the recovery established in markets a week or so ago has on the whole been well maintained. In particular. British Funds and other high class investment stocks have been in considerable request, and India stocks have benefited by the more peaceful outlook in that country, while even Australians have risen appreciably notwithstanding the wild talk by Labour extremists in Australia,- or to be more precise in New South Wales, with regard to Debt obligationg. A few Home Industrials, including Shipping stocks, have also improved a little, a small rise in prices of some commoditiei occasioning some talk of the chances of a moderate trade revival. English Railway stocks have benefited to some extent by the Wages Award, though so far as can be gathered at present the economies to be effected are too small to • materially affect dividend prospects for the Ordinary shares, though they. undoubtedly, place in a more comfortable position some of the. Junior Prior Charge stocks. Meanwhile, the traffic returns show no indication whatever of any trade revival, but the returns are affected to some extent by the fact that they compare _with rather favourable figures &lei-1Y

the

(Continued on page 438.) Financial Notes (Continued from page 436.) first three months of last year. By the end of March com- parison will commence with less favourable returns in 1930.

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