Long ago an old trader friend once told us that predicting the future is a harmless game unless one actually bets real money on his predictions. After all, he said, futures markets are nothing more than predictions about the future, and look how many people lose money betting on those predictions. Of course, his comments were made before funds and technical analyses were as prominent as they are today. Nevertheless, what he said way back then still retains some truth today. We occasionally play the harmless game of predicting the future, but we seldom bet money on our predictions. And when we do, it usually involves very little money and the outcome of a football game.In recent years we have taken the occasion of the New Year to make ad h...
What You Need to Know Today: U.S. weather is getting more attention this week as conditions vary greatly across the western, central, and eastern corn belts, with the different regions battling dryness and too much rain simultaneously. The ProFarmer Crop Tour began today in Indiana and Nebrask...
Key Takeaways: Argentina is on pace for a record corn crop and record exports in the current marketing year, with abundant supplies likely to keep the country highly competitive in global export markets. Argentina’s record exportable surplus is allowing it to offer highly competitive pri...
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.