Soybean Futures Jump on News of China Delegation Coming to the U.S. CBOT soybean futures prices rose more than 27 cents/bushel today on a report that China is sending a delegation to Washington, DC for meetings during 21-22 August. The group will be led by Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen, who is also China’s deputy international trade representative. The Chinese will meet with a U.S. delegation headed by Under Secretary of Treasury for International Affairs David Malpass. It is assumed the two groups will discuss possible ways to end the current U.S.-China trade dispute that has resulted in an additional 25 percent tariff on U.S. soybeans. While the market is obviously hopeful these talks will lead to a resolution of the disp...
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.