Reaction to a technically oversold market and debate about the potential U.S. corn and soybean yields, spurred by the Pro Farmers annual Midwestern crop tour, led grain and soy prices to bounce higher during the day session. General Comments World stock markets were hammered today. China's Shanghai Index fell 3.4 percent on a lack of confidence in the government's efforts to halt the current economic slowdown. Those doubts and Europe's own slow growth problems put European stock indices down about 2 percent. U.S. stock markets face all of that along with the sick crude oil market and more questions about what the Fed will do to interest rates and when. Minutes from the last Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting released yesterday s...
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.