Risk-off ahead of the Grain Stocks and Prospective Plantings reports was the theme du jour. The soy complex and wheat futures led the CBOT lower with corn following on disappointing export inspections data. News that Russian and Ukrainian negotiators are meeting in Turkey to discuss a cease fire or peace accord pressured futures as such a move would reestablish Ukrainian planting and winter wheat harvest abilities, as well as their export program. With peace talks and fundamental reports on the docket for this week, few wanted to add length to positions Monday. China’s zero-tolerance policy on COVID-19 is causing the start of a nine-day lockdown of its largest city, Shanghai. The city boasts 26 million people, and its lockdown...
What You Need to Know Today: U.S. launches naval escort operations in the Strait of Hormuz as Iran attacks UAE oil infrastructure, escalating geopolitical risk and supporting energy and broader commodity markets Biofuel demand entering uncharted territory, with soyoil valuation increasingly di...
The Middle East is said to be undergoing a transformation as economic priorities transcend security concerns. This is evidenced by diversification away from oil and the UAE’s departure from OPEC. Meanwhile, the Palestine issue has been deprioritized, and Iran has emerged as more destabili...
All eyes are shifting to the Senate following the House passage of a farm bill last Thursday. Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman (R-Arkansas) is targeting the end of May or early June for a bill markup. According to Boozman, the House “going ahead and passing something was re...
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.