Key Market Developments Markets opened mixed after reports that Iran signaled a willingness to discuss ending the conflict with the United States. Sentiment improved further after President Trump stated that U.S. strikes had significantly degraded Iranian military capabilities and outlined measures aimed at stabilizing energy markets. Those measures include directing the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to provide political risk insurance and financial guarantees for maritime trade in the Persian Gulf. Trump also indicated the U.S. Navy could escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz if necessary — one of the clearest signals yet that Washington intends to prevent disruptions to global energy flows. Even so, ma...
The final reading for real GDP growth in Q1 was revised upward to a 2.1 percent rate from a prior estimate of 1.6 percent, but the underlying details show a weaker mix. The stronger headline reflected a large upward revision to net exports, along with smaller upward adjustments to inventories a...
Corn Argentina Argentina's corn harvest has reached 52.9 percent of the national harvestable area, with an average yield of 8.15 MT/ha. Harvest continues at a moderate pace because of high grain and field moisture, particularly across central and southern Buenos Aires Province. Over the past se...
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.