World Perspectives

Zero but Not Negative Interest Rates

The Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FMOC) was scheduled to meet on Wednesday of this week, but for the second time it took emergency action prior to the meeting. On Sunday, Chairman Jerome Powell announced a 100 basis point cut to the federal fund rate. This comes after the Fed announced an emergency 50 basis point rate cut on 3 March.  That puts the rate in the range of 0 to 0.25 percent, to where it was lowered in 2008 and stayed until the end of 2015. In his statement Powell generally ruled out negative interest rates like Japan and Europe have had. Back in the fall of 2019, President Trump tweeted several times that the Fed should adopt negative interest rates, or at least get down to zero rates so that the...

Related Articles
feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Grains Gain on Black Sea Tensions; Cattle Extend Rally

The CBOT initially looked set for a quiet day of post-holiday trade on Tuesday, but that was before Russian President Putin elevated political tensions in the Black Sea region. Putin threatened to increase attacks on Ukraine in response to Ukraine’s recent attacks on Russian tanker vessel...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.5/bushel, up $0.05 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.41/bushel, up $0.06 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $11.2475/bushel, down $0.0325 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soymeal closed at $311.6/short ton, down $3 from yes...

End of the Year: Lots to Do and a Short Time to Get it Done

Congress returns this week from their Thanksgiving recess to wrap up end-of-year priorities. There are only 13 days of legislative sessions remaining in the House, with 12 days before the 30 January deadline when the government runs out of money once again. The Senate has 12 days of session rem...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Grains Gain on Black Sea Tensions; Cattle Extend Rally

The CBOT initially looked set for a quiet day of post-holiday trade on Tuesday, but that was before Russian President Putin elevated political tensions in the Black Sea region. Putin threatened to increase attacks on Ukraine in response to Ukraine’s recent attacks on Russian tanker vessel...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.5/bushel, up $0.05 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.41/bushel, up $0.06 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $11.2475/bushel, down $0.0325 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soymeal closed at $311.6/short ton, down $3 from yes...

End of the Year: Lots to Do and a Short Time to Get it Done

Congress returns this week from their Thanksgiving recess to wrap up end-of-year priorities. There are only 13 days of legislative sessions remaining in the House, with 12 days before the 30 January deadline when the government runs out of money once again. The Senate has 12 days of session rem...

livestock

Livestock Industry Margins

Beef packer margins surged for a fourth consecutive week, jumping $108/head to $228 and marking the strongest profitability in more than two years. Margins rose on the combination of a $5.88/cwt decline in live cattle and an $13.20/cwt drop in dressed cattle prices, while the Choice cutout ease...

Image
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.

Search World Perspectives

Sign In to World Perspectives

Don’t have an account yet? Sign Up