World Perspectives

Worker Centric Paradox; Hoarding Disorder; Bipolar Accelerant

Worker Centric Paradox The Biden Administration has called for a “worker centric” trade policy but USTR Katherine Tai is complaining about a dearth of data to support the initiative. The old metric was an assumption that each $1 billion in trade supports 30,000 workers, and that trade related jobs paid more than other types of employment. But the Administration’s goal is to increase worker “rewards” from trade, a metric that is contradicted by economics. Labor is typically the most expensive component in all commerce. To be internationally competitive, the goal is to deliver greater value, which usually means reducing the labor cost component. Expanding trade can increase the return to labor but focusing simpl...

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Market Commentary: Oil Volatility Drives CBOT More than WASDE

Usually, the day USDA releases its monthly world supply and demand report – known colloquially as “WASDE day” – sees heightened volatility in CBOT ag futures. That was true again Tuesday, though there was little causal connection between the WASDE and the market’s...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

May 26 Corn closed at $4.5225/bushel, down $0.015 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Wheat closed at $5.91/bushel, down $0.1225 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soybeans closed at $12.0175/bushel, up $0.055 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soymeal closed at $314.5/short ton, up $1 fro...

China Market Analysis

Iran War The U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran are said to complicate the visit later this month by President Trump to China. As an ally of Iran and a major purchaser of its oil, China has an acute interest in the current war. It is especially being harmed by the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Oil Volatility Drives CBOT More than WASDE

Usually, the day USDA releases its monthly world supply and demand report – known colloquially as “WASDE day” – sees heightened volatility in CBOT ag futures. That was true again Tuesday, though there was little causal connection between the WASDE and the market’s...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

May 26 Corn closed at $4.5225/bushel, down $0.015 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Wheat closed at $5.91/bushel, down $0.1225 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soybeans closed at $12.0175/bushel, up $0.055 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soymeal closed at $314.5/short ton, up $1 fro...

China Market Analysis

Iran War The U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran are said to complicate the visit later this month by President Trump to China. As an ally of Iran and a major purchaser of its oil, China has an acute interest in the current war. It is especially being harmed by the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz...

Economic Outlook for 2026

The January jobs report surprised to the upside, coming in at 172,000 new jobs, well above the consensus expectation of 68,000. However, the February report showed jobs falling by 86,000, far off the consensus expectation of a gain of 60,000. This loss was driven by education, leisure and hospi...

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From WPI Consulting

Infrastructure investment due diligence

On behalf of a Canadian oilseed processer WPI's team provided market analysis, econometric modeling and financial due diligence in support of a $24 million-dollar investment in a Ukrainian crush plant. Consistent with WPI's findings, local production to supply the plant and the facility's output have expanded exponentially since the investment. WPI has conducted parallel work on behalf of U.S., South American and European clients, both private and public, in the agri-food space.

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