STOCK MARKETS QUIET

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 108, 24 May 1937, Page 7

STOCK MARKETS QUIET

Expanding Export Trade (Received 24, 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, May 23. The stock markets were defindtely uninteresting throughout the week, but it is notewortky that more public and big operators have eome back as buyers. Wnetiier the uuderlying strength can be brought to the surface depends on Mr Chamberlain 's proposals. The house-buildmg boom shows surprising persistence in face of the higher costs. The trend of exports arouses thc justified hopes that a deeline in the abnormally high level of internal activity will be partially oflset by expanding international trade. Higher commodity prices, however, have resulted in the flrst increase in the cost of lnving since 1920, the effects of which are felt in a significant number of trade disputes. In April, 115 new disputes, involving stoppages, occurred, compared with 53 in April last year. The behaviour of commoditxes is encourag|ing. Wheat and rubber have risen substantially, metals are firm, and tin appears to be stabilised around £250 a ton. Gonfldence is returning in eopper, but the smallness of suppiies rather than the strength of the demand, keeps prices firm. Butter has been active since the Coronation slackness. Traders expect a steady market with slight fluctuafcions around the ^present values for the temainder of the month.