World Perspectives

Revising Down the Economy

We’ve now had a couple of months in 2024 where economic report revisions have come in, and they have been significant. This has changed the outlook on the economy from bullish during the last part of 2023 and January, to now being more uncertain.  First, the February payroll report showed an increase in non-farm jobs of 275,000, beating the consensus pre-report estimate of 200,000. However, that report came with downward revisions of 167,000 jobs to both the December and January initial estimates. That was the largest monthly downgrade for any non-COVID shutdown month since late 2008, at the beginning of the last recession. Thus, the adjusted February payroll report was just 108,000 above the original January level, and thus bel...

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Market Commentary: New Year Looks Like Old Year

Traders closed out an overall lower week with more of the same. There was a new contract low in SRW, but a late rally pushed HRW slightly into the green for the day but not for the week. Traders brushed off increasing Russia-Ukraine hostilities and any risk of winterkill in wheat. It was a fift...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.375/bushel, down $0.0275 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.065/bushel, down $0.005 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $10.4575/bushel, down $0.0175 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soymeal closed at $296/short ton, down $3...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

New Bridge Payments Restore Profitability

On 31 December the USDA announced the per acre payment rates for the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program for producers hit by the ongoing tariffs.  Cotton and rice will receive the highest payments. On 15 December WPI estimated the upcoming payments, with cotton and rice at the top of t...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: New Year Looks Like Old Year

Traders closed out an overall lower week with more of the same. There was a new contract low in SRW, but a late rally pushed HRW slightly into the green for the day but not for the week. Traders brushed off increasing Russia-Ukraine hostilities and any risk of winterkill in wheat. It was a fift...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.375/bushel, down $0.0275 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.065/bushel, down $0.005 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $10.4575/bushel, down $0.0175 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soymeal closed at $296/short ton, down $3...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

New Bridge Payments Restore Profitability

On 31 December the USDA announced the per acre payment rates for the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program for producers hit by the ongoing tariffs.  Cotton and rice will receive the highest payments. On 15 December WPI estimated the upcoming payments, with cotton and rice at the top of t...

Happy New Year!

The WPI team extends our best wishes to you and your families for a healthy and happy New Year. Thank you for your faithful readership, we are looking forward to serving you in 2026!  Please note that our next report will be issued on Friday, 2 January as the U.S. markets are closed for th...

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From WPI Consulting

Infrastructure investment due diligence

On behalf of a Canadian oilseed processer WPI's team provided market analysis, econometric modeling and financial due diligence in support of a $24 million-dollar investment in a Ukrainian crush plant. Consistent with WPI's findings, local production to supply the plant and the facility's output have expanded exponentially since the investment. WPI has conducted parallel work on behalf of U.S., South American and European clients, both private and public, in the agri-food space.

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