20 MARCH 1926, Page 28

FINANCUL „NOTES ---GENEVA AND MARKETS.- '

IT is no matter for surprise that profound _stagnation should: haw- characterized the Stock Markets .during--the, past week.

eyes have been. faetened upon Genevk and the reports from there-.have been of a character which has proved snrely dipappOinting to .those who had built. much -upon- what ha6

tonne to be' Imam- as Recarrio." - The.' whofd nation appreciates; of course, the iniportance which atiketisee- to 'the restoration of political e'onfidenee in Europe, teit:thqe is a--sense in".which the City ivellizee--Wftb•perticular keenness thi:importance7:of. Sikh. restoration if -financial progress is to be maintained, • Much has beeriTd60-0-, Sloth by thiaconntry and. the,United- of E"u-rope, and SO-fire--1-iski haVe-Reentor all-of these loan.4

have been based more or less upon a confidence in improved international relations and even upon hopes of such improve- raent leading sooner or later to national savings on armaments. Consequently, it is felt that if the Geneva Conference collapsed there might be a temporary setback in financial recuperation. Markets have had a good deal to occupy their attention during the week in the consideration of the Coal Report, and while the City is not without hopefulness that a way may be found out of the coal deadlock, a recognition of the importance which attaches to the developments of the next few weeks Italy well explain the quietude of markets.- Prices, however, have been wonderfully well held.