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

Summary of Futures

May 26 Corn closed at $4.43/bushel, up $0.0275 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Wheat closed at $5.92/bushel, up $0.0975 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.58/bushel, down $0.0425 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soymeal closed at $329.7/short ton, down $2.2 fro...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Wheat Rallies on Falling Conditions; Cattle Surge to New Records

The CBOT received several pieces of key fundamental information on Tuesday, including updated production figures from CONAB, the results of the USDA’s Monday Crop Progress report, and fresh export sales of corn to Mexico. The result was that wheat popped higher on growing concerns for yie...

China Market Analysis

Soybeans Dalien soybean futures and spot prices have defied seasonal trends since October 2025. They have been rising due to structural shortages of high-protein soybeans. Liu Mei, soybean analyst for Shanghai Steel Network, blames the situation on a poor harvest last year in the south, a delay...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

May 26 Corn closed at $4.43/bushel, up $0.0275 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Wheat closed at $5.92/bushel, up $0.0975 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.58/bushel, down $0.0425 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soymeal closed at $329.7/short ton, down $2.2 fro...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Wheat Rallies on Falling Conditions; Cattle Surge to New Records

The CBOT received several pieces of key fundamental information on Tuesday, including updated production figures from CONAB, the results of the USDA’s Monday Crop Progress report, and fresh export sales of corn to Mexico. The result was that wheat popped higher on growing concerns for yie...

China Market Analysis

Soybeans Dalien soybean futures and spot prices have defied seasonal trends since October 2025. They have been rising due to structural shortages of high-protein soybeans. Liu Mei, soybean analyst for Shanghai Steel Network, blames the situation on a poor harvest last year in the south, a delay...

Congress Coming Back to Busy Agenda

The House and Senate are returning from their two-week Easter recess period with a busy agenda ahead. While the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown has now hit the two-month mark, a plan is emerging to use reconciliation to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs a...

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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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