World Perspectives

Weaker Consumer Finances Darken Economic Outlook, Despite Interest Rate Cuts

The past two weeks have seen the typical influx of macroeconomic data releases, most of which helped prompt the Federal Reserve to issue its 50-bps interest rate cut on Wednesday. While the interest rate cut was initially viewed as a positive signal (lower interest rates generally increase economic activity), history suggests rate cuts can precede market corrections or recessions. This is highly dependent on other factor at play in the economy, which WPI attempts to examine here.  WPI looks at macroeconomics through three primary lenses: national-level factors, consumer income and finances, and consumer spending. The first, national-level factors, includes items such as stock market valuation, the Treasury yield curve, and the inflati...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Bears Gain Control; Soybeans End Below $10, Corn Breaks Support

Bears regained control of the CBOT ag market trade on Monday, seemingly not because of the WASDE but rather because of shifting weather forecasts and apparently receding threats. The weather in South America is trending more favorably for the corn and soybean crops down there, and showers in th...

Politics: Will 2024 Election Yield an Unprecedented Triple Flip?

The 2024 election is three weeks from tomorrow. This cycle has been unusual. The campaign started as a Biden versus Trump rematch of the 2020 campaign, the first such rematch since 1956 (only the seventh time in history and only the second time since 1900). However, President Biden stepped down...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 24 Corn closed at $4.0825/bushel, down $0.075 from yesterday's close.  Dec 24 Wheat closed at $5.8525/bushel, down $0.1375 from yesterday's close.  Nov 24 Soybeans closed at $9.96/bushel, down $0.095 from yesterday's close.  Dec 24 Soymeal closed at $315.3/short ton, up $0.2...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Bears Gain Control; Soybeans End Below $10, Corn Breaks Support

Bears regained control of the CBOT ag market trade on Monday, seemingly not because of the WASDE but rather because of shifting weather forecasts and apparently receding threats. The weather in South America is trending more favorably for the corn and soybean crops down there, and showers in th...

Politics: Will 2024 Election Yield an Unprecedented Triple Flip?

The 2024 election is three weeks from tomorrow. This cycle has been unusual. The campaign started as a Biden versus Trump rematch of the 2020 campaign, the first such rematch since 1956 (only the seventh time in history and only the second time since 1900). However, President Biden stepped down...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 24 Corn closed at $4.0825/bushel, down $0.075 from yesterday's close.  Dec 24 Wheat closed at $5.8525/bushel, down $0.1375 from yesterday's close.  Nov 24 Soybeans closed at $9.96/bushel, down $0.095 from yesterday's close.  Dec 24 Soymeal closed at $315.3/short ton, up $0.2...

softs

Going up with a Bang

A futures contract that persistently moves up or down by just a penny or two each day imposes its own burden on the market. While speculators are said to prosper from volatility, and sellers want higher prices and buyers prefer them lower, everyone prefers a story. Apparently, the cotton market...

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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.

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