Markets were lower overnight, and the expectation was for more of the same when the sun rose but politics and fundamentals combined to give Chicago a shot in the arm. The fundamental change included the largest corn export sales in a long time, and a peace offering to China by the White House piled on the good mood. Fundamentals have made for dull markets for a while, but the wild card has been whether positive policy outcomes ever achieve fruition. USMCA is now in the bank but a U.S. – China deal must still be considered talk since it has failed before. There is no actual agreement, so it was another day of buying the rumor. This means there will be a bloodbath come Monday if suddenly tariffs are back on the table. It is belie...
Infrastructure investment due diligence
On behalf of a Canadian oilseed processer WPI's team provided market analysis, econometric modeling and financial due diligence in support of a $24 million-dollar investment in a Ukrainian crush plant. Consistent with WPI's findings, local production to supply the plant and the facility's output have expanded exponentially since the investment. WPI has conducted parallel work on behalf of U.S., South American and European clients, both private and public, in the agri-food space.
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...