World Perspectives

Ephemeral Market Reaction

Markets reportedly reacted today to the U.S. killing of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani by falling in values and the price of oil rising. However, it is a classic example of a knee-jerk reaction. Middle East tensions run through the region’s history with the larger events in recent decades being wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Perhaps the most uncertain period of time was 2001 through 2004. However, during that period the relative values of major agricultural commodities remained tied to fundamental supply and demand (see table below). Thus, the market reaction to today’s news is ephemeral and far less important than next week’s WASDE report. As WPI’s Jody Lefcourt framed it, the news today was simply a prete...

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Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.3125/bushel, up $0.0375 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.525/bushel, up $0.1525 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $11.3725/bushel, up $0.1325 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soymeal closed at $307.9/short ton, up $4.9 fr...

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Accountability and a comprehensive approach to export programming

WPI’s team helped construct a strategic approach to develop, implement, and track promotional activities in 8 key regions across the globe for an agricultural export association. With continued progress measurement and strategic advisory services from WPI, the association has seen its ROI from investments in promotional programming increase by 44 percent over the past 5 years. Not only does this type of holistic approach to organizational strategy provide measurable results to track and analyze, it fosters top-down and bottom-up organizational accountability.

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