FIRMER PRICES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 149, 19 March 1936, Page 12

FIRMER PRICES

Australian Share Markets RENEWED CONFIDENCE (Received March 18, 9.10 p.m. > Sydney. March 18. On the Sydney Stock Exchange the investment market to-day showed renewed confidence, and a resumption of buying caused the turnover to expand. The majority of front-rank industrial issues moved forward smartly. Bank shares, however, were irregular. Commonwealth loans were definitely in holders' favour.

Sales: Bank of New South Wales, £35 7/6; Commercial Bank of Australia, 20/71 : National Bank of Australasia, £5 paid, £7/11/-; Colonial Sugar, £42/12/6; Associated News, 22/6. Howard Smith, 17/-; British Tobacco, 41/6; Tooths. 52/9: G. J. Coles, 71/6; Australian Glass, 84/3; Dunlop-l’crdriau. 14/4. Goldsbrough Mort, 31/9; Greater <l. D. Williams, 7/11; Milhiquin Sugar, 37/9: Fairymead Sugar, 37/6. Electrolytic Zinc, 38/4J ; ditto, pref., 11/3; David Jones, 43/-; Anthony Hordern, 20/-; Standard Cement, 21/9: Stedman. 17/3; IV. R. Carpenter, 43/6. South Broken Mill, £5/14/-; Kuala Kampar Tin, 14/6; Emperor. 11/-; Loloma, 16/9. Morning sales included. Commonwealth bonds. 3} per cent., 1948,. £97; 4 per cent., 1938, £lOl/12/6; 4 per cent.. 1955 £lOl/15/-; National Bank. £5 paid,' £7/11 A: Bank of New South Wales. £35*10/-; Australian Gas, A, £7 12/-: Tooths Brewery, 52/6; Associated News, 22/6; British Tobacco, 40/J, Broken Hill Proprietary, 59/9; Henry Jones Co-op., 39/6. Melbourne, March 18.

Sales on the Melbourne Stock Exchange to-day included: National Bank of Australasia, £5 fsiid, £7/12/6; Goldsbrought Mort. 31/6; Herald and Times, 64/3 ; Mount Lyell, 24/3 J : Loloma, .1 1/-; Emperor, 11/3; Koroere. 4/4.

WOOLWORTHS, LIMITED

Last Year’s Accounts

The directors of Woolworlhs, Limited, Sydney, report for the year ended Janu-ai-v 3J. 193 U, tfi profit for the year after deducting working expenses and making adequate provision for depreciation ol £227,550/5/-. After setting aside as provision for taxation £BO,OOO, the net profit for the year amounts to £147,550/5/-. Interim dividends have been distributed as follows: —Ten per eent. preference shares: On August 15, 1935, 5 per cent. £3750, on February 15, 1936, 5 per cent. £37so,making£7soo. Seven percent.,preference shares: Ou August 15, 193 a. titrate of 7 per cent, per annum, £4861 12/10,.0n February 15, 1936. 35 per cent.,. £7OOO, making £11,861/12/10. Ordinary shares: On July 2, 1935, 2 per cent., £8439/9/2. on October 14, 1935. 2 per cent.. £8430/5/5, on January la, 1936, 2 per cent., £8439/7/10. making £25,318 2/5. This leaves a balance for appropriation of £102,570/9/9. ' The directors recommend the declaration of the following final dividend and bonus for the year on the paid-up ordinary share capital of the company; 64 per cent, final dividend, £27,427/19/8 (making .124 per cent, for Ihe year), and a 5 per cent, bonus £21,098/9/-. totalling £48,526/8/8. The directors also recommend the following appropriations: Staff provident fund £2000; additional provision for charities, £2OOO. This Will leave a balance which it is proposed io transfer to general reserve of £50,344/1/1. After making tlie above transfer to general reserve of £50,344/1/1, the amount at credit ol' general reserve and reserve accounts will aggregate .£282,024 directors report that the affairs of the company have progressed favourably, including the several new stores that were opened during the year, and that all branches and associated companies are operating successfully. During the year an issue of 109,000. 7 per cent, cumulative second preference shares at premium of 6/- per share was made, and was over-subscribed. Principal items in the balance-sheet compare as follows LIABILITIES.

How the profits and dividends of this concern have grown since 192!) is shown in the following record : —

"In July, 1934. a distribution of three new fully-paid £1 ordinary .-hnies lor every (wo ordinary shares held was made.

1935. 1936. Capital issued— :£ £ Pref., 10 per cent. . . 75.000 i 5.000 Pref.. 7 per cent. . . 1 (HMM 10 200.000 Ord 421 .1)69 421,961) General reserve .... 117,(167 144,839 Reserve account ... 57,-1-11 87.440 Depreciation reserve 87.461 117,039 Insurance and build5,000 ing reserve .... — Provision for taxation 105.871 150.067 Creditors 77.035 96.70S ASSETS. Land and buildings . 142.540 169,046 Leasehold 1)5,790 80,346 Furniture and plant 197,315 206,681 Stock 264.62’ 281.102 Debtors 15.64?, 75.715 Cash Shares in other com3,669 131,882 panies 304.687 304,684 Goodwill 165,227 165,227

profits. Dividend. Year. £ Per cent. 1929 22,187 5 1930 40,093 30 1931 41,730 1932 02,407 '7-5 1933 68,788 1934 S.7,0.12 9'j 193.1 100.418 '•121 193(1 147..159 171