World Perspectives

Produce Price Inflation Mixed Signals

Producer price inflation (PPI) ended 2024 up 0.2 percent in December. That is a modest gain and was below pre-report expectations. Nonetheless, the PPI was 3.3 higher than a year ago, and substantially higher than the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent target. That stickiness trend will keep inflation squarely in the radar of the Fed’s focus in 2025. Moreover, as WPI reported on 6 January, the “Trump agenda of tariffs and immigration action which could reduce labor supply, and tax cuts all have the potential to be inflationary.” This is particularly noteworthy as commodity and goods prices were up 0.6 percent in December, and services were flat. 01142025dj.png 34.57 KBThe increase in the PPI in December was led by energy prices, which jumped...

Related Articles
feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

CFTC COT Report Analysis

Friday’s CFTC report showed funds further expanding long positions across the major ag futures contracts for the ninth straight week. Funds added 32,000 contracts (3.8 percent) to their all-ags net long position – a much smaller effort than the prior week’s 244,000-contract bu...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

May 26 Corn closed at $4.655/bushel, down $0.0425 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Wheat closed at $5.9525/bushel, down $0.1275 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.6125/bushel, down $0.0725 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soymeal closed at $328/short ton, down $...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Pragmatic Escape Ahead of Weekend

On Monday of this week, traders were met with limit-down losses in soybeans, plus double-digit losses in corn, soymeal, and wheat. For many, it didn’t feel good. The war in Iran presented surprises, including the postponement of a Trump-Xi meeting expected to sell some soybeans. Fundament...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

CFTC COT Report Analysis

Friday’s CFTC report showed funds further expanding long positions across the major ag futures contracts for the ninth straight week. Funds added 32,000 contracts (3.8 percent) to their all-ags net long position – a much smaller effort than the prior week’s 244,000-contract bu...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

May 26 Corn closed at $4.655/bushel, down $0.0425 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Wheat closed at $5.9525/bushel, down $0.1275 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.6125/bushel, down $0.0725 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soymeal closed at $328/short ton, down $...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Pragmatic Escape Ahead of Weekend

On Monday of this week, traders were met with limit-down losses in soybeans, plus double-digit losses in corn, soymeal, and wheat. For many, it didn’t feel good. The war in Iran presented surprises, including the postponement of a Trump-Xi meeting expected to sell some soybeans. Fundament...

livestock

Cattle on Feed Report: Neutral

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 11.5 million head, just slightly below last year.  Marketings were 1.52 million head, at 93 percent of last year, in line with the pre...

Image
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.

Search World Perspectives

Sign In to World Perspectives

Don’t have an account yet? Sign Up