COVID II Policy Financial markets continue to be confused about the direction of the economy amidst a new surge in COVID cases and political uncertainty. The U.S. jobless claims report this morning was lower than expected while September existing home sales were strong. But the job market is decelerating, and a second stimulus package is stuck until after the election. Some complain that the stimulus helps Wall Street but not Main Street so much. This may be why a survey of European small and medium-sized business revealed over half feared bankruptcy if shutdown orders continue. As a share of GDP, Canada has spent more on stimulus than the rest of the G20, yet its unemployment rate remains the highest amongst the G7. Governments took a ha...
From WPI Consulting
Forecasting developments in production agriculture
On behalf of a private U.S. agricultural technology provider, WPI’s team generated an econometric model to forecast the movement of concentrated corn production north and west from the traditional U.S. Corn Belt. WPI’s model has subsequently provided quantitative support to a multi-million-dollar investment into short-season corn variety development. WPI’s methodology included a series of interviews with regional grain elevators and seed consultants. Emphasizing outreach and communication with stakeholders who possess intimate sectoral knowledge – on-the-ground insights – is a regular component of WPI’s methodologies, made possible by WPI’s ever-growing network of industry contacts.