TRADE IN THE UNITED STATES.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9989, 19 March 1898, Page 7

TRADE IN THE UNITED STATES.

At the end of January, Bradstreets inported the coudition of business in the United States as follows :—" Favourable conditions in the trade situation continue to far outweigh those of an opposite character. Stormy weather throughout a large section of the country this week has checked the movement of merchandise into consumption, but a perceptible increase iv the demand for seasonable goods is reported as already resulting.. The last week of the month closes with increased activity in many lines, a number of price advances, heavily increased bank clearings, as compared with one year ago, at nearly all cities, another, considerable drop in the number of failures reported, large exports of cereals, particularly wheat, corn, and flour, and perceptible confidence in nearly all branches of trade as regards the outlook for spring business. Another favourable feature of the week is the slight but distinct improvement in the cotton goods situations, in which speculative activity is awakeningPig iron is reflecting the effect of the present unprecedented production, and a further weakening in prices is recorded at eastern points. At the west, however, consumption of pig and of the finished products of iron and steel is reported increasing so as to hold prices firm. • Large sales of bar steel and of rails are reported at Chicago and St. Louis, with mills refusing to take orders for delivery earlier than late summer. Boot 9 and shoes hold the lute advance, and manufactui ers of heavy weights will not take orders for fall delivery at present prices. Wool is strong on large sales and firm prices abroad. Prices of most staple products are higher on the week."