The stock market rebounded partially today from a drop yesterday, which came amidst news of more COVID cases and the release of the notes from the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FMOC) which sets interest rates. First, COVID. It was to be expected that the number of cases would rise as: 1. the economy – and society – begins to re-open, 2. testing rates increase because of the capacity to test, 3. the testing is expanded into new areas (prisons, different demographics), and 4. because the demand for testing is increased as the economy and society reopen and people aren’t socially isolated at home with no need to be tested. The key will be what happens to the h...
What You Need to Know Today: President Trump claimed the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran was over, as both sides accused one another of violating the terms of the agreement. Commercial vessels are increasingly steering clear of the Strait of Hormuz as security risks escalate following Iran...
Key Takeaways: The CME Group is launching new 90 percent Lean Beef and 50 percent Lean Beef futures and options contracts in July. There are five key factors that must be present in physical markets and futures contract specifications for futures contracts to become successful. The two l...
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.