World Perspectives

Positive Economic Data - Silver Lining Surrounded by Clouds

There have been a number of economic reports recently that on the face of them seem very positive, but in some cases, they are the sliver linings still surrounded by clouds.   The final revised estimate of GDP for Q1 2023 came in at 2 percent, which is up from the prior estimate of 1.3 percent. The final data show exports up, imports down, consumer spending and home building up, which offset small decreases in business investment, government purchases, and inventories.   The “cloud” is the alternative measure of the economy, Gross Domestic Income (GDI). While GDP measures the value of what the economy produces such as goods, services, and technology, GDI counts what all participants in the economy make like...

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From WPI Consulting

Forecasting developments in production agriculture

On behalf of a private U.S. agricultural technology provider, WPI’s team generated an econometric model to forecast the movement of concentrated corn production north and west from the traditional U.S. Corn Belt. WPI’s model has subsequently provided quantitative support to a multi-million-dollar investment into short-season corn variety development. WPI’s methodology included a series of interviews with regional grain elevators and seed consultants. Emphasizing outreach and communication with stakeholders who possess intimate sectoral knowledge – on-the-ground insights – is a regular component of WPI’s methodologies, made possible by WPI’s ever-growing network of industry contacts.

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