Western sanctions have bolstered interest by China and Russia in creating a third reserve currency to challenge the dollar and the euro. There is discussions of creating a BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) based basket currency similar to the IMF’s SDR’s. After all, China does not want to confront the potential economic sanctions imposed on Russia, particularly expulsion from the SWIFT system. And there is a definite asymmetry when considering the value of the euro and dollar in international settlements versus the respective economies’ share of global GDP.
The British pound (and Franc/Deutschemark) were replaced by the dollar, and then the dollar was competed with the euro, so nothing is permanent. But...
What You Need to Know Today: The corn and soybean markets closed slightly higher in low-volume trade. The wheat market was mixed, with HRW continuing its downward trek on improved moisture. As expected, the bearish cattle on feed report drove down cattle prices and pulled hogs down with it. Mi...
Monday, 25 May is a U.S. holiday, and both the markets and our office will be closed. Please note that the next issue of Ag Perspectives will be published on Tuesday, 26 May. The WPI staff wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend...
USDA’s monthly cattle on feed report was released today. The total number of cattle on feed in feedlots with 1,000 head or more capacity amounted to 11.6 million head, 102 percent of last year. Source: USDA, WPI Placements were up, but part of that is attributable to persistent drought c...