Financial Notes
UNCERTAIN MARKETS.
HAVING regard to the, extent to which prices, and especially those for gilt-edged securities, have risen during recent weeks, it is probable that in any circumstances a reaction would have taken place. Indeed, the reduction in the Bank Rate last week was followed by considerable realizations on the part of those who had bought in anticipation of the event, and dur- ing the present week the market was dominated at the opening of business by the tragic death of Mr. Ivar Kreuger, head of the Kreuger and Toll and Swedish Match group, the shares of which concerns experienced a severe slump. Although the shares of both concerns are held by a considerable number of investors in this country the fall In the securities and the un- certainty with regard to the next profit statements are matters affecting more closely the foreign centres than the London market. At the same time with some of the European markets in their present sensitive condition, repercussions at foreign centres are possibilities which have to be carefully kept in mind. If it were possible to leave out of considera- tion such matters as the financial altuation. in Germany and the problem of reparations and international war debts,' It might be possible to take a really hopeful view of the Stock Exchange outlook. Unfortunately, however, these grave problems and uncertainties have still to be reckoned with.
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