President Joe Biden is handing out what could be $600 billion in student loan forgiveness just before an election. Critics argue about its fairness, and it will make some voters happy and others unhappy. There are similar contradictions in the allocation of money to agriculture. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack is figuring out how to allocate $3.1 billion in loan forgiveness to farm loan borrowers, but to skew the assistance to farmers of color. An overt attempt at forgiveness based on skin color was struck down by the courts. The focus is on farm operations that are distressed and at risk, a status that doesn’t depend on skin color. Some of these operations are said to have been at risk before the pandemic, and like the now extended...
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.
Key Market Insights The broad market is locked in on this week’s Trump-Xi meeting in Beijing, but this is no longer just a trade summit. Increasingly, the meeting is becoming tied directly to Iran, energy security, and the growing global economic fallout from disruptions through the Strai...