World Perspectives

Recession Watch

Real GDP dipped at a -0.3 percent annual rate in Q1, the first decline for any quarter since 2022. However, the main reason was that trade with other countries accounted for the largest drag on the economy for any quarter since at least 1947, as both consumers and companies loaded up on goods from abroad before higher tariffs kicked in. Since GDP is designed to measure domestic production, imports are subtracted even though Americans buy those goods because they were produced abroad.  Real (inflation-adjusted) consumer spending increased at a moderate 1.8 percent annual rate in the first quarter and real business investment in equipment spiked up at a 22.5 percent annual rate, neither of which looks recessionary. “Core” GDP...

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livestock

Livestock Industry Margins

Beef packer margins improved for the fourth straight week and once again added about $100/head in profits. Margins are now around $15/head, still low by post-2010 standards but an absolutely massive improvement from recent losses. The increase in margins comes as beef prices have approached new...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Court Ruling Rattles Markets; Corn Rallies on Export Demand

The CBOT was sharply lower to start the holiday-shortened trading week with Friday’s ruling that President Trump’s tariffs may be illegal throwing ag and other markets into confusion. The ruling makes unclear the outlook for negotiating further trade deals – or even continuing...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.23/bushel, up $0.0275 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.2825/bushel, down $0.06 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.41/bushel, down $0.135 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $283.8/short ton, down $5.2 fr...

livestock

Livestock Industry Margins

Beef packer margins improved for the fourth straight week and once again added about $100/head in profits. Margins are now around $15/head, still low by post-2010 standards but an absolutely massive improvement from recent losses. The increase in margins comes as beef prices have approached new...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Court Ruling Rattles Markets; Corn Rallies on Export Demand

The CBOT was sharply lower to start the holiday-shortened trading week with Friday’s ruling that President Trump’s tariffs may be illegal throwing ag and other markets into confusion. The ruling makes unclear the outlook for negotiating further trade deals – or even continuing...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.23/bushel, up $0.0275 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.2825/bushel, down $0.06 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.41/bushel, down $0.135 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $283.8/short ton, down $5.2 fr...

SCO versus West

Instead of focusing on foes, the transatlantic alliance needs to remediate itself. Media reactions to this past weekend’s Shanghai Cooperation Council was telling. The New York Times was shocked that Russian President Vladimir Putin has “friends.” CNN called it “stark op...

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From WPI Consulting

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.

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