World Perspectives

What is a Recession and Why Does it Matter if We’re in One?

The news and political talk shows have been abuzz about whether the economy is in a recession, moreover, it has become political, with some Republican politicians and conservative commentators, almost giddy that the GDP contracted two quarters in a row, and some Democrat politicians and liberal commentators arguing that the economy is not in a recession – necessarily now. First, the two quarters of negative GDP is a rule of thumb; when it happens there is almost always a recession. But it is not, as we’ve heard on TV, the “technical” definition of a recession. In 2001, there were three consecutive quarters of negative GDP before the recession was declared. The actual technical definition is maintained by the Bureau...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Weak Dollar Triggers Grains Rally; Wheat Breaks Major Resistance Levels

Grains rallied across the board overnight and through Wednesday’s day session as a plunging U.S. dollar made U.S. exports more competitive. The move is especially valuable as the Brazilian soybean harvest accelerates and could keep U.S. shipments flowing. The cheaper greenback is also cri...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.3/bushel, up $0.035 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.36/bushel, up $0.1275 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $10.75/bushel, up $0.0775 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soymeal closed at $297.8/short ton, up $3.8 from yest...

soy-oilseeds

Thailand Soy Tariffs Update

Thailand’s market is now officially reopened to soybean and soymeal imports as the government has resolved a lapse in tariff policy that caused import duties to default to prohibitively high levels earlier this month. On 27 January, the Thai Cabinet approved the continuation of its market...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Weak Dollar Triggers Grains Rally; Wheat Breaks Major Resistance Levels

Grains rallied across the board overnight and through Wednesday’s day session as a plunging U.S. dollar made U.S. exports more competitive. The move is especially valuable as the Brazilian soybean harvest accelerates and could keep U.S. shipments flowing. The cheaper greenback is also cri...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.3/bushel, up $0.035 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.36/bushel, up $0.1275 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $10.75/bushel, up $0.0775 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soymeal closed at $297.8/short ton, up $3.8 from yest...

soy-oilseeds

Thailand Soy Tariffs Update

Thailand’s market is now officially reopened to soybean and soymeal imports as the government has resolved a lapse in tariff policy that caused import duties to default to prohibitively high levels earlier this month. On 27 January, the Thai Cabinet approved the continuation of its market...

Markets Not Government; Fueling and Building Cars; Middle Power Potential; EU Mimics China

Markets Not Government A common refrain from U.S. agriculture groups is that they prefer to get their income from the market than the government. Most of their income is derived from the market but it looks more romantic than real when one considers that government supplements determine the bre...

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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.

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