New York, Mar. 27.
Prices on the New York Stock Exchange closed irregular today after a session featured by light trading. United States Government issues reached record highs on the bond market, Relief over Premier Benito Mussolini's speech brought moderate buying at the opening and prices advanced from fractions of a point to two points. Later demand declined and prices dipped, Near the close many leaders showed small losses which were blamed on the lack of demand and not on pressure.
Traders continued their waiting at titude pending clarification of the European situation. and definite aid to business from Washington.
Motors lost early gains and rubber declines ranged up to a point. Steels opened higher but declined later. Aviations show gains ranging above a point early in the session but most declined later. Rails lost early gains. Utilities closed fractionally higher.
Favourable market factors today included 1. Premier Mussolini's speech was viewed as being more conciliatory than expected.
2. Steel operations have reached the year's high.
Higher lumber orders.
4. Higher retail advertising.
5. An Improving trend in business as compared with this -month last year, Among the unfavourable factors were these; dg, THE unsettled international situa-ion.
2. Some uneasiness over Washington political developments.
3. Most consumers are engaged in "Hand to mouth" buying.—United Press.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.