World Perspectives

The Brazilian Real and U.S. Monetary Policy

The Fed did not raise the federal funds rate at its January meeting. Instead, Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell said the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) would be “patient” about future rate hikes, which is a dovish turn from the four increases last year. In short, the Fed will be watching inflation in 2019, and there is plenty to watch. Oil prices have been bullish, in part because of OPEC cutbacks and new U.S. sanctions on Venezuela. Also, the January jobs report that came out immediately after the FOMC meeting showed a gain of 296,000 new private sector jobs, well above the 175,000 expected. Chairman Powell’s concerns were mostly focused outside of the U.S. Besides addressing the impact of the government...

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Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.445/bushel, up $0.04 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.0775/bushel, up $0.015 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $10.5225/bushel, down $0.06 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soymeal closed at $298.4/short ton, up $0.2 from...

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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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