World Perspectives

2019/2020 Dog Whistle

Politicians glommed on to the issue of income inequality in 2019 and they will remain focused on it during 2020. They can do nothing about it, but when a minority is rich and a majority is not the disparity makes for a solidly populist political manifesto. As noted by Robert Samuelson in the Washington Post, most Americans are experiencing income gains. Notably, the increases are symmetrical (not equal) across income brackets, with the exception being the poorest quintile that is slightly outpacing the second quintile in gains due to government transfers.  Frustrated with the sole use of income as a measurement of success, Europe led the OECD’s construct of a Better Life Index, encompassing data on the environment, education, c...

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From WPI Consulting

Infrastructure investment due diligence

On behalf of a Canadian oilseed processer WPI's team provided market analysis, econometric modeling and financial due diligence in support of a $24 million-dollar investment in a Ukrainian crush plant. Consistent with WPI's findings, local production to supply the plant and the facility's output have expanded exponentially since the investment. WPI has conducted parallel work on behalf of U.S., South American and European clients, both private and public, in the agri-food space.

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