Financial Notes
CHEERFUL MARKETS.
ALTHOUGH we are now gradually approaching the holiday season, the Stock .Markets are still displaying considerable activity,' and barring any unfEivourable political developments on the Continent it looks as though for the next few weeks at all events activity will continue. Less anxiety is felt with regard to the financial and political situation in France, and a good effect was produced by the recent announcement that the Bank of France had reduced its rate of discount from 6 to 5 per cent. Moreover, business is well spread over the various departments of the Stock Exchange, though, perhaps, there is a tendency for dealings to become more active in the semi-speculative sections, especially in the shares of Industrial companies. Many of the recent reports of leading Industrial companies have been of an encouraging character, and this is especially so as regards some of the Iron and Steel companies, though even Shipping companies'
securities are showing signs of revival. There has also been a certain amount of activity in Transatlantic shares, as Wall Street has recovered from the first shock of President Roose- velt's taxation proposals.
* * *
Previous page
