THE STOCK MARKETS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 7, 6 December 1937, Page 2

THE STOCK MARKETS.

COMPARATIVE FIRMNESS. Received December 4, 1.25 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 3. The stock markets have finished the week comparatively firmly, but actual business is light. The failure of on of the smaller firms of stockbrokers has not affected sentiment. Ihe amount involved is believed to be inconsiderable. . . . ~ Gold shares have been consistently strong throughout the week. At the Consolidated Goldfields annual meeting it was emphatically reaffirmed that gold was unlikely to tall below £7 and this did much to hearten investors. The speaker also opened some hope of an improvement for the Wiluna undertaking as the company still lias very material reserves of profitable ore. , Rubber issues have provided another interesting feature. The shares responded strongly to the quota reduction and have since reacted on profit-taking, but the honeful undertone contrasts markedly with the recent depression. ' The gilt-edged market opened the week strongly, since when it has been irregular. Industrial issues have made satisfactory widespread if modest gains. International stocks were strong to-day as .the result of an ovemignt improvement in "Wall Street. The improved sentiment on the Stock Exchange has also assisted com 1 niodities. Rubber is stronger, following the auota decision ; metals are generally higher; cotton i.s unchanged, but wool is inclined to easiness. TTheat is lower after - bearish crop reports. Provisions are generally firm.