Last week we noted that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced initial claims for unemployment benefits was 3,283,000, an increase of 3,001,000 from the previous week's revised level. That was a record, but a short lived one. Today, DOL reported that initial claims were 6.648 million, an increase of 3.341 million. In February, unemployment was 3.5 percent; tomorrow the March unemployment rate will be announced, but the survey was taken early in the month and so will not reflect the full extent of layoffs as a result of COVID related shutdowns of businesses in at least 23 states. This isn’t good for meat demand, especially as all the heightened retail demand earlier in the month has probably filled consumers’ home freezers...
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.