Show sweden s good franc al pos t on judg ng by the position of sweden s banki that country must be in good condition financially at the close of 1904 sweden had sixty nine banks in good working order the aggregate capital was as against in 1903 and in 1902 in addition the banks held very large reserves the trade of the coun try is moving so rapidly that quite re bently seven banks issued new shares at from 60 per cent to per cent premium thus increasing their reserves to the extent of 13 be bides the capital increase last year the average bank dividend vas 9 2 per cent these figures show that the commerce and industries of the coun try are in good shape to stand a tilt with norway the prices commanded by swedish government bonds in the principal money markets of the world show that the state finances are also in good shape |