Public Health COVID-19 Returns with a Vengeance Similar to its quasi-island province to the south, mainland China’s effort to control the impact of new coronavirus strains through isolation and lockdowns is now on the ropes. So far in March, the country has recorded 453,141 cases and 3,824 related deaths, both of which are records. With the seven-day average for fatalities at nearly 285/day, that rate has exceeded the previous peak of 184/day set in April 2020, when there were no vaccines and the disease was rapidly spreading throughout the world. The other crucial difference this time is that major coastal metropolises, such as Shenzhen, near Hong Kong, and Shanghai, have become the new epicenters. Factories in the sou...
What You Need to Know Today: Russia rejected calls for a ceasefire in the Black Sea, including a proposal to halt attacks on civilian shipping that could help restore grain flows from Ukrainian ports. Tyson Foods announced plans to permanently close its Joslin, Illinois, beef processing facili...
The big news in the cattle markets yesterday was Tyson Foods’ move to close two more beef plants. One of them, the Joslin, Illinois, plant was shuttered immediately after the announcement. The other, in Eagle Mountain, Utah, is a case-ready plant that does not slaughter cattle. Tyson also...
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on Wednesday. In July, the CPI rose 0.1 percent, seasonally adjusted, and rose 3.4 percent over the last 12 months, not seasonally adjusted. The index for all items less food and energy, or the “core” infla...
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.