Grain and soy futures markets continue to follow a beat of their own. Much of the beat today was provided by another weekly export sales report that generally exceeded expectations. General Comments Macro attention is focused on tomorrow's U.S. jobs report from the Labor Dept., the official jobs report. December job creation was dismal, and financial markets are eager to see if it rebounds in January. The stock market is hopeful that the report will be favorable, apparently. The Dow gained strength in afternoon trading and closed up more than 180 points. Currency traders who hope for a good jobs report pushed the U.S. dollar higher today. Crude oil is also higher as is copper, while gold is nearly unchanged. The DJ-UBS Commodity Index clo...
What You Need to Know Today: The corn and soybean markets closed slightly higher in low-volume trade. The wheat market was mixed, with HRW continuing its downward trek on improved moisture. As expected, the bearish cattle on feed report drove down cattle prices and pulled hogs down with it. Mi...
Monday, 25 May is a U.S. holiday, and both the markets and our office will be closed. Please note that the next issue of Ag Perspectives will be published on Tuesday, 26 May. The WPI staff wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend...
USDA’s monthly cattle on feed report was released today. The total number of cattle on feed in feedlots with 1,000 head or more capacity amounted to 11.6 million head, 102 percent of last year. Source: USDA, WPI Placements were up, but part of that is attributable to persistent drought c...
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.