World Perspectives

Livestock Roundup: Food Inflation Driven by Proteins

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for December yesterday. For the month, the CPI was up 0.4 percent, while year-over-year it was up 2.9 percent. The core CPI – excluding energy and food – was up 3.2 percent, well above the Fed’s 2 percent target. Energy was down 0.5 percent, while food increased 2.5 percent, with food at home (retail) up 1.8 percent and food away from home up 3.6 percent.  For the food at home category, beef was up 4.9 percent on the year, with ground beef up 5.2 percent and beef roasts up 7.1 percent. Retail prices lag behind the wholesale boxed beef cutout, and the cutout was up 8.2 percent in December compared to December 2023, and so far in January the cutout has been...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

CFTC COT Report Analysis

The following tables/charts reflect the CFTC's latest data release, which covers traders' positions through 21 October. The data are, obviously, delayed due to the 40-day 2025 U.S. government shutdown. While the positions below likely have little influence on today's markets or fund positioning...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Technical Factors, SA Weather and Exports Sink CBOT

The CBOT was mostly lower to start the week with traders reluctant to add bullish risk ahead of the USDA’s WASDE report on Tuesday. Too, technical weakness rapidly enveloping the soy complex spooked traders and prompted a more cautious approach. Favorable weather in Brazil, slow soybean s...

Federal Reserve Meeting and Hearing This Week

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will meet on Wednesday to decide what to do about short-term interest rates. The Federal Funds Futures market puts the chance of a rate cut at about 90 percent following cuts in September and October. That meeting will also be when the Fed publishes a ne...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

CFTC COT Report Analysis

The following tables/charts reflect the CFTC's latest data release, which covers traders' positions through 21 October. The data are, obviously, delayed due to the 40-day 2025 U.S. government shutdown. While the positions below likely have little influence on today's markets or fund positioning...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Technical Factors, SA Weather and Exports Sink CBOT

The CBOT was mostly lower to start the week with traders reluctant to add bullish risk ahead of the USDA’s WASDE report on Tuesday. Too, technical weakness rapidly enveloping the soy complex spooked traders and prompted a more cautious approach. Favorable weather in Brazil, slow soybean s...

Federal Reserve Meeting and Hearing This Week

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will meet on Wednesday to decide what to do about short-term interest rates. The Federal Funds Futures market puts the chance of a rate cut at about 90 percent following cuts in September and October. That meeting will also be when the Fed publishes a ne...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.4375/bushel, down $0.01 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.3475/bushel, down $0.01 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $10.9375/bushel, down $0.115 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soymeal closed at $306.3/short ton, down $1...

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From WPI Consulting

Weighing in on strategic realignment

WPI’s team was retained by the governing board of a U.S. industry organization to review a decision, reached by vote, to invest significant assets into the development and management of an export trading company. WPI’s team conducted a formal review of this decision and concluded that the current level of market saturation would limit the benefits of the investment. Based on WPI’s analysis and recommended actions, the board subsequently reversed its decision and undertook a strategic planning effort to identify more impactful investments. On behalf of numerous clients, WPI has not only assisted in identifying strategic paths but also advised their implementation.

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