Today’s trading was mostly lower based on South American weather and the ever-present tariff threat. Overall, the first week in February 2025 experienced the following:
It was the fourth week in a row higher for SRW, and the third week up for HRW and HRS. It was the second week in a row for otherwise bullish cattle to lose value, and hogs were the beneficiary with a second week higher. HRW was the outsized gainer, and feeder cattle the biggest loser. Soymeal was the most volatile, rising over 4 percent, then falling 4 percent to end up almost unchanged.
The South American weather outlook is not great, but it is better and that put another damper on Chicago. Showers are lightening up, allowing more windows for soyb...
Macro: Trade Flows Set the Tone Persian Gulf crude flows appear to be improving, with anecdotal estimates suggesting as much as 7–8 million barrels per day may now be leaving the region — nearly double the mid-July pace. That helps explain why crude has not maintained the full geopo...
Key Takeaways: The Panama Canal traded at a record $5.3 million for a transit slot this week as line-up times extend to 17 days. The difficulties transiting the Canal are supporting the PNW/Gulf spread. Tanker freight markets remain elevated as the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz continues. I...
Key Takeaways: Ethanol margins continue to retreat from recent highs as rising costs – particularly corn and natural gas – offset gains in ethanol and DDGS values. WPI’s models expect ethanol margins to broadly follow their seasonal pattern, declining into the new year,...