General Comments For the first time ever, grain and soy futures markets were trading this morning (both electronic and pit) when USDA released a major report: the June WASDE. We can report that the world did not come to an end. Not so many years ago such an overlap would have been viewed as unthinkable. That it did happen and will continue to happen in the future is a sign of how pervasive future markets have become. Now pit trading will open early on report days so it too will be trading as reports are released.Speaking of market timing, unless the CFTC objects, the CME plans to change the closing time for open outcry pit trading from 1:15 p.m. CT to 2:00 p.m. CT to match the time that electronic trading closes for three hours. This sho...
What You Need to Know Today: Cattle futures extended their sharp selloff Friday as weakening cash cattle prices, deteriorating feedlot profitability, and reduced packer demand continued to weigh on the market. The inability of futures to sustain a rally following last week's bullish Cattle on...
As predicted, the Federal Reserve held rates steady at the last meeting before the midterm elections, likely in part because of the election (see WPI 19 October and 22 September). The decision comes at the tail end of a midterm election cycle that has been marked by the two parties campaigning...
Key Takeaways: WPI’s new EU rapeseed crushing margin models point to weaker processing returns over the next four months due to higher rapeseed procurement costs and weaker product values. Statistical forecasts call for German crushing margins to decline from €181/MT to €...
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.