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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Market Commentary: Unmoved and Uncertain

It was the third straight day of flash soybean sales to China. The IGC tightened global soybean balances. The morning’s USDA’s export sales report showed corn and wheat ahead of last year. The September employment report showed substantially larger gains than expected. Stocks opened...

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Soybean Crushing Margins Outlook for Q1 2025

CBOT board soybean crush margins have been volatile over the past two months due to rapidly changing political and export outlooks as well as shifting global supply expectations. In mid-October, the January crush margin hit a rally high of 155 cents/bushel before it dropped to a contract low of...

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Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.265/bushel, down $0.0325 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.4075/bushel, down $0.0875 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $11.225/bushel, down $0.1375 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $314/short ton, down $4...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Unmoved and Uncertain

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CBOT board soybean crush margins have been volatile over the past two months due to rapidly changing political and export outlooks as well as shifting global supply expectations. In mid-October, the January crush margin hit a rally high of 155 cents/bushel before it dropped to a contract low of...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

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Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.265/bushel, down $0.0325 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.4075/bushel, down $0.0875 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $11.225/bushel, down $0.1375 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $314/short ton, down $4...

livestock

Livestock Round Up: HPAI Vaccine and Trade Concerns

The Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) reports that the most recent cases of HPAI have been confirmed on two commercial broiler operations, two commercial meat duck facilities, and one commercial breeder duck operation in LaGrange and Elkhart Counties. On February 8, 2022, HPAI was ini...

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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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