Eliminating pure speculation on oil futures is a question of fairness. The choice is between a world of hedge fund traders who make enormous amounts of money at the expense of people who drive their cars and heat their homes, and a world where the fundamentals of life – food, housing, health care, education and energy – remain affordable for all. This is an excerpt from an op-ed article appearing in the New York Times of 12 April 2012 as written by Joseph P. Kennedy II, a former congressman from Massachusetts and, of course, a member of a well-known family. He argues for regulations to prohibit "pure speculation" in crude oil futures markets.Whether by coincidence or not, just nine days later on 21 April 2012, Dr. Lutz Kilian, an...
What You Need to Know Today: Chinese purchases of U.S. soybeans continued to accelerate, with USDA reporting another 558 KMT sold to China and 236 KMT to unknown destinations. Combined with sales announced Wednesday and Thursday, the latest purchases bring the three-day total to approximately...
Key Takeaways: With the fall calf run now upon us, producers are finally getting a glimpse of what their realized profits will be for 2026. Some producers may have already obtained a strong estimate of 2026 revenues, especially if calves were forward sold in, for example, the mid-summer...
As fall begins, wild migratory birds are starting their seasonal migration. That has the industry and government officials worried about the potential spread, again, of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Some members of Congress have called for the United States to be prepared for a pote...
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.