MARKETS FIRM.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume IV, Issue 222, 31 August 1936, Page 8

MARKETS FIRM.

OPTIMISM IN ENGLAND. Press Association—Copyright. London, Aug. 30. Although the value of business is slight the stock markets remain remarkably firm. Home industrial news has been encouraging, and City business men are inclined to regard the European situation more optimistically in view of the Italian and German adhesion to the arms embargo. Gilt-edged securities are especially firm. Australian stock is attracting buyers, and industrials are steady. Commodities have been uninteresting with the exception of a burst of speculative activity in'cocoa, which is regaining its former popularity. The price is now over £3l a ton, the highest for years. Business in wheat is practically at a standstill, millers holding off in the face of falling prices and "bearing" reports of crop prospects in Europe and the southern hemisphere. Butter also is quiet. Statistically the position does not warrant an appreciable break in prices but buyers are getting very cautious. Rubber is slightly dearer owing to the Russian demand. Soviet imports in the past eight weeks have been doubled compared with last year. Metals are also in steady demand, with rising prices.