World Perspectives

Interest Rate Outlook

The Fed meets next week, the day after the election. It looks likely there will be a rate cut again for the second time in as many meetings. The federal funds futures market is pricing in a 95.4 percent probability of a cut. At the September meeting, Fed members signaled another 50 basis point cuts before the end of the year, which is looking to be 25 basis points at each of the November and December meetings. At its September meeting, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) cut the federal funds interest rate by 50 basis points. The key takeaway from that half-point reduction, given that historically most rate cuts are 25 percentage points, is that the Fed has at least marginally switched its focus away from inflation and toward the...

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Market Commentary: Soybeans Rally as China Cuts Tariffs; Cattle Implosion Continues

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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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