16 MARCH 1861, Page 9

MONEY MARKET.

STOCK ERMA/tog" FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

THERE has been a less active demand for money in the Stock Ex- change throughout the week, and the rates have been between 51 to 6 per cent. Applications at the Bank, however, have not fallen off, and very nearly full rates have been required in the discount market. It was thought by many that the Bank directors at their usual weekly meeting, yesterday, would reduce the minimum rate from 8 to 7 per Cent.; there was therefore, considerable disappointment felt upon the court breaking up without adopting any measure in that direction. The Consol market has exhibited firmness, and an improvement upon last week of fully per cent. The first quotation on Monday was 91f 91f ; there was then a decline to 91*, and a subsequent recovery, the closing figures for the account being 92 92f. The firmness of American.. ,athu,ge, as reported per last mails, tended to impart strength to our markets, notwithstanding the continued almost daily transmission of gold from here. It is expected that the next West India steamer is likely to bring a total of 500,000/. in silver; and gold to the amount of about 534,500/. is stated to be on the way from Aus- tralia. Yesterday, the Bank of France reduced the rate of interest from 7 (at which it had been fixed on 8th January).- to 6 per cent. This was not known. during business hours, so that the markets opened this morning with a strong tendency to advance; Consols were quoted 92f ; were afterwards strong "buyers" at that price, [but are now 921, sellers, after some rather large speculative transactions. Reduced and New Three per Cents. Short Exchequer Bills (March 2nd) is. to 5s. pm. The Court of Proprietors of the Bank of England yesterday declared a dividend at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum. The Foreign Stock Market has, upon the whole, shevni strength, although business has been extremely limited. Buenos Ayres Bonds have however declined about 2 per cent, from the adverse political news. On the other hand, Mexican and Turkish Stocks have risen, the former 1, and the latter about 1 per cent. Peruvian Four-and-a. Halfper Cents, dull, 934 94f ; Ditto Three per Cents, 74 76; Ditto. Uribarren Four-and-a-Half per Cents, 8183, and the Dollar Bonds, 81 82; Venezuela, 20 21; Ditto One-and-a-Tfalf per Cents, 1112; Rus- sian Five per Cents, heavy, 101 102, and the Thrift per Cents Ditto 61 613; Turkish Six per Cents have advanced to 721 73, and the New Ditto to 53f 54; Brazilian Four-and-a-Half per Cents, 85 86 ; Granada stationary, 16 17, and the deferred, 51 6 ; Spanish, 48f 49; Spanish Deferred, 41 411; Ditto certificates, 5 6; Victor Emmanuel, 931 941 ; Sardinian, 82 83; Mexican, 244 24, with a good demand. Railway Shares have been buoyant all the week, and although the half-monthly settlement occupied the attention principally of the dealers, a good deal of business has been transacted forthe end of the month, snot for present investment. It will be noticed that the chief lines show an improvement in Midland of 1 per cent., closing at 123* 128f ; London and North Western, 96f 96,1 ; Lancashire and York- shire, 1111- lilt; Great Western, 701 71; during the settlement a backwardation 3-16ths was given on the two last named. Contangos on other things were light. London and South Western, 9ij 921; Caledonian, 951 96*; London and Brighton, 116 117; South Eastern and Dover, 81 85 ex. div. ; Great Northern 108f 1091; Ditto A. Stock, 101 101*; Eastern Counties, 50 501 ; North Stafford, 131 141; Ber- wick, 1011 1021 York and North Midland, 90* 91; Chester and Holy- head, 53 534; North British, 63f 644. Foreign Shares have been very dull, and there is scarcely any alteration to notice. Lombardo- Venetian as at the close last week, 1 13; Paris and Strasbourg, 23 24; Paris and Lyons, 37 38; Luxembourg,? 71 ; Sambre and Meuse, 5f 5j. East Indian, 99 99f ; Great Indian Peninsula, 95 95*; Bom- bay and Baroda, 921 92f ; Madras, 92 93. Marine Insurance Shares flat ; Ocean, 21 2f. Minerals have fallen about f per share, and are now quoted 1 lf ex div. ; Thames and Mersey, lf. In Miscalls neous Stocks and Shares there is no particular feature to remark. Grand Trunk of Canada shares, 21 21f.