World Perspectives

Trade Deficit Shrinks, Fed Cuts Federal Funds Rate at December

The U.S. trade deficit narrowed unexpectedly to $52.8 billion in September, the smallest since mid-2020. The decline in the deficit was due to a large increase in exports, which rose $8.4 billion. Imports were up a more modest $1.9 billion. 

The President may see this as a win, as the core aim of Trump’s trade agenda has been straightforward: fewer imports and more domestic production. But whether that’s what we’re actually seeing is far less certain. Focusing on the total volume of trade, imports plus exports, shows the extent of business and consumer interaction across the US border. This measure grew by $10.3 billion in September but is up only 0.4 percent in the past year, and down 10.3 percent from the peak hit...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Fundamentals in the Backseat; Conflict Impacts Driving Markets

Four days into the U.S.-Iran conflict, it is becoming apparent that the conflict will last longer than a few days, and impacts could be more widespread than expected. That sentiment drove macroeconomic and commodity futures markets on Tuesday, which meant risk-off trading in the macro sector an...

China Market Analysis

War and China The U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran also involve China, tangentially if not directly. Iran has been supplying about 13.4 percent of China’s oil imports, roughly 1 million barrels per day. The attacks follow the U.S. removal of Venezuela’s leader, a country that is a s...

Schumer Planning a Bill to Force Divestiture in Meat Industry

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is currently seeking co-sponsors for a bill he will introduce as early as Thursday of this week, the Family Grocer and Farmer Relief Act. The plan promises to “break up dominant meatpackers, rein in foreign-controlled corporate giants, and use...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Fundamentals in the Backseat; Conflict Impacts Driving Markets

Four days into the U.S.-Iran conflict, it is becoming apparent that the conflict will last longer than a few days, and impacts could be more widespread than expected. That sentiment drove macroeconomic and commodity futures markets on Tuesday, which meant risk-off trading in the macro sector an...

China Market Analysis

War and China The U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran also involve China, tangentially if not directly. Iran has been supplying about 13.4 percent of China’s oil imports, roughly 1 million barrels per day. The attacks follow the U.S. removal of Venezuela’s leader, a country that is a s...

Schumer Planning a Bill to Force Divestiture in Meat Industry

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is currently seeking co-sponsors for a bill he will introduce as early as Thursday of this week, the Family Grocer and Farmer Relief Act. The plan promises to “break up dominant meatpackers, rein in foreign-controlled corporate giants, and use...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

May 26 Corn closed at $4.465/bushel, up $0.0075 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Wheat closed at $5.74/bushel, down $0.0325 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.705/bushel, up $0.065 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soymeal closed at $314.7/short ton, up $1.8 from...

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From WPI Consulting

Accountability and a comprehensive approach to export programming

WPI’s team helped construct a strategic approach to develop, implement, and track promotional activities in 8 key regions across the globe for an agricultural export association. With continued progress measurement and strategic advisory services from WPI, the association has seen its ROI from investments in promotional programming increase by 44 percent over the past 5 years. Not only does this type of holistic approach to organizational strategy provide measurable results to track and analyze, it fosters top-down and bottom-up organizational accountability.

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