The commodity weighted value of the dollar had been expected to decline in 2020 but instead the U.S. dollar index has risen nearly 4 percent, reaching its highest level in almost three years. Global concerns about the coronavirus may yet push it higher and raises concerns about the impact on U.S. agricultural exports. The relative currency exchange rate impacts export competitiveness and is the reason the Trump Administration has been, some would say myopically, focused on policies affecting them. As a reserve currency and particularly as the primary safe haven in a crisis, a stronger dollar tends to reduce the income of commodity producers most dependent upon exports. The impact will vary based on the currency being exchanged...
What You Need to Know Today: Commodities were mostly lower across the board today after yesterday’s Federal Reserve meeting hinted at a potential interest rate hike later in 2026. The dollar index reached its highest level in over a year, and a strong dollar makes U.S. agricultural expor...
Tomorrow is the Juneteenth federal holiday, and the USDA, along with the rest of the federal government and the CME, will be closed, so the monthly Cattle on Feed report was released a day early. The total number of cattle on feed in feedlots with 1,000 head or more capacity on 1 June amounted...
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.