Russia Rapprochement French President Emmanuel Macron met with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week, and both agreed that changes in Ukraine have improved the chances for peace with the Russian-dominated eastern enclave. A so-called Normandy format meeting between leaders of Russia, Ukraine, and the EU could push along a reconciliation. The rapprochement is important to American farmers since U.S. agricultural exports to Russia are only about 15 percent of the level achieved before Crimea-based sanctions were imposed. It would also bolster President Trump’s goal of readmitting Russia to the G-7 during his upcoming leadership of that group. Populism is Universal China is no different than the U.S. or Europe when it com...
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.