World Perspectives

Parsing Newly Resumed Macro Data

With the longest government shutdown in history now over, the flow of economic data has resumed.  Two key items of market interest are the September employment report and the August’s trade numbers. But they tell an uncertain story. especially when coupled with the Consumer Price Report (CPI) issued during the shutdown on 27 October. The employment report issued yesterday showed the labor market was largely on firm footing in September but that is now stale data, and newer private sector reports suggest a slowdown in job growth. Add to that continuing unemployment claims that came in 2.6 percent higher than before the shutdown.  On the bright side, September nonfarm payrolls came in 133 percent above the consensus expectatio...

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Summary of Futures

May 26 Corn closed at $4.435/bushel, up $0.015 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Wheat closed at $5.745/bushel, up $0.0475 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.635/bushel, down $0.015 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soymeal closed at $320.9/short ton, down $0.9 fr...

Transportation and Export Report - 26 February

The start of 2026 has been the exact opposite of what dry bulk markets and traders expected at the end of 2025. Typically, the Lunar New Year and post-holiday demand lulls mean that Q1 freight rates are often the weakest of the year. This year, however, rates rallied sharply on unexpected deman...

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A mostly bullish overnight session was not sustained, splitting the soy complex and wheat. Corn rallied late to avert a loss. The morning opened with USDA’s Export Sales report reflecting the turn by buyers to lower-cost sources. There was good volume trading corn and the soy complex, and...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

May 26 Corn closed at $4.435/bushel, up $0.015 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Wheat closed at $5.745/bushel, up $0.0475 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.635/bushel, down $0.015 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soymeal closed at $320.9/short ton, down $0.9 fr...

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Export Sales

Export Sales and Shipments for February 13-19, 2026  Wheat: Net sales of 243,000 metric tons (MT) for 2025/2026 were down 16 percent from the previous week and 43 percent from the prior 4-week average. Export shipments of 540,000 MT were up 67 percent from the previous week and 28 percent...

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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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