Twelve Days of Insight The Wall Street Journal’s James Mackintosh points out that business leaders, including those at the Davos World Economic Forum last week, are betting two to one odds that Donald Trump will win reelection later this year. This is in sharp contrast with the political facts. The President’s numbers indicate someone with high negatives and minimal support numbers. His actual opponent is still unknown. If it is Joe Biden, group think might lower Mr. Trump’s odds, if the Democratic nominee turns out to be Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren, the calculus of business confidence ought to be shaken. Either way, the political calendar over the next few days could become informative.
Policy Prescriptions on...
What You Need to Know Today: Crude oil prices extended their rally today, supported by several developments, including escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure and growing concerns about supply disruptions. The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to remove 50 perc...
Key Takeaways: The agricultural trade surplus has become a sizable deficit: the balance swung from a $40.1 billion surplus in 2011 to a $40.7 billion deficit in 2025. Imports kept growing while exports lost momentum: between 2020 and 2025, agricultural imports increased 45 percent, compa...
USDA released its October Cattle on Feed report Friday, showing 11.4 million cattle in feedlots with capacity for 1,000 head or more, slightly below last year. September placements were the lowest for the month since records began in 1996, marking the third consecutive month of placements sett...
Regional News Dry weather across the UK and Europe is becoming increasingly concerning for the 2027 crops as planting intentions are lowered amid dry soil conditions. Delayed sowing or establishment under adverse conditions could leave crops more vulnerable to frost/freeze events and dise...