World Perspectives

Weaker Consumer Finances Darken Economic Outlook, Despite Interest Rate Cuts

The past two weeks have seen the typical influx of macroeconomic data releases, most of which helped prompt the Federal Reserve to issue its 50-bps interest rate cut on Wednesday. While the interest rate cut was initially viewed as a positive signal (lower interest rates generally increase economic activity), history suggests rate cuts can precede market corrections or recessions. This is highly dependent on other factor at play in the economy, which WPI attempts to examine here.  WPI looks at macroeconomics through three primary lenses: national-level factors, consumer income and finances, and consumer spending. The first, national-level factors, includes items such as stock market valuation, the Treasury yield curve, and the inflati...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Wheat Retraces; Soyoil Surges

Wheat was the big gainer last week but this week it gave up most of those gains. And soyoil was last week’s biggest loser but it rose to the top this week. Lean hogs also staged a major reversal after losing 1.32 percent last week and then rising 4.1 percent this week.  Where there...

Too Bad for Ag, Tariff Impacts; Climate and Agriculture

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Neutral Cattle on Feed Report

USDA released the monthly Cattle on Feed report today. All categories came in near expectations, making the report neutral. August placements at 1.98 million head were above the average for the month during this cattle cycle of 1.93 million head, but still below last year. As WPI noted yesterd...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Wheat Retraces; Soyoil Surges

Wheat was the big gainer last week but this week it gave up most of those gains. And soyoil was last week’s biggest loser but it rose to the top this week. Lean hogs also staged a major reversal after losing 1.32 percent last week and then rising 4.1 percent this week.  Where there...

Too Bad for Ag, Tariff Impacts; Climate and Agriculture

Too Bad for Ag In a surprise from the Biden Administration, Deputy National Security Advisor Daleep Singh said that the U.S. should negotiate more sectoral specific trade agreements and outlined new incentives under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework to entice more buy-in from other countries...

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Neutral Cattle on Feed Report

USDA released the monthly Cattle on Feed report today. All categories came in near expectations, making the report neutral. August placements at 1.98 million head were above the average for the month during this cattle cycle of 1.93 million head, but still below last year. As WPI noted yesterd...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 24 Corn closed at $4.0175/bushel, down $0.04 from yesterday's close.  Dec 24 Wheat closed at $5.685/bushel, up $0.03 from yesterday's close.  Nov 24 Soybeans closed at $10.12/bushel, down $0.0125 from yesterday's close.  Dec 24 Soymeal closed at $319.2/short ton, down $2.4 fr...

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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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