Fear of the impact of higher interest rates sent the U.S. stock market and nearly every commodity market spinning lower today. And as traders contemplate tomorrow’s October WASDE, they are well aware of the bearish tone of the August and September WASDEs. The assumption is that the October WASDE will give off similar bearish vibes based on larger U.S. supplies and increased U.S. ending stocks estimates for 2018/19. Grain and soy markets did not exhibit such fears overnight, but then they did not show much of anything overnight with prices unchanged to slightly lower on scant volume when trading recessed. The bearish sentiments became a bit more pronounced during the day session, especially for the soy complex. The soybean outlook is...
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.