BUSINESS IN U.S.A.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 110, 11 May 1926, Page 4

BUSINESS IN U.S.A.

GENERA-, CONDITIONS GOOD. SOME WEAK SPOTS. Writing of general business conditions in U.S.A. on April 12, John Dunn, Son and Co., of New York, staterIndustry and trade continue In large volume, and with the exception of a few ■weak spots, particularly the woollen textile "business, are most satisfactory. A falling off in the production of automobiles and in the amount of projected building was looked for in many quarters, bus so far bas failed to appear, and reports from both tbese industries show a continuation of the remarkable activity enjoyed for several years past, and, in fact, a substantial increase as compared "with last year at this time. Railroad car loading evidence a very large movement of merchandise, and a3 business is quite generally on a more or less "hand to mouth" basis, this merchandise is passing almost directly into consumption. Retail trade, notwithstanding a rather backward spring, is very active. Credit conditions are good, and a plentiful supply of money seems assured for a long time to come. On the whole the situation cannot be viewed otherwise than with equanimity, and should there be a slight falling off in business activity during the next few months, it would be no cause for alarm. Imports Exceed Exports. During the month of February the volume of imports again exceeded that of exports, and was considerably greater than February, 1925, while the value of exports wa3 much less. The increase in imports was due largely to a greater amount of rubber imported at higher prices, the value during February, 1926, being estimated at £58,000,000, as compared with only £18,000,000 during the same month last year. The decrease in value of exports may be traced largely to the falling off in shipments of cotton in combination with a much lower price for that commodity. In fact, an examination of the details composed the figures given above discloses that the decrease in the value of exports as compared with the same month last year, comes entirely under the heading of crude materials, while the value of finished manufacturers •hows a substantial increase. On the other hand the value of crude materials -imported increased greatly, while the value of finished manufacturers increased very slightly. The total exports for February were 353,000,000 dollars, and the imports 389,000,000 dollars. The import balance therefore was 36,000,000 dollars, as compared with an export balance in -ebruary, 1925, of 25,000,000 dollars