General Comments Grain and soy futures prices were mixed to mostly firmer overnight with corn the leader, supported by ongoing concerns about supplies accentuated by historically high cash basis values. Soybean prices wavered but were supported by reports that soybean buyers were still trying to switch themselves away from the lengthy loading delays. The day session saw corn, wheat and soybeans trading erratically higher in volume that was moderate at best. This lasted until late in the session when profit-taking pushed prices lower into the close. Part of the profit-taking involved unwinding bull spreads because of perceptions of waning demand and a slight pick-up in farmer selling. The July/November inverse closed at about $1.57, its n...
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
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.