The CME and traders recovered from a data center problem that halted overnight trading but it was the holiday interrupted week that sent trading volumes sharply lower on Friday. The day started with another flash sale of soybeans to China, evidencing that Beijing is committed to its agreement with President Trump to make such purchases. Especially notable considering they could buy from Argentina at a discount. As if to economically compel its own traders to follow the political agreement, China disqualified soybean purchasing from five Brazilian plants over purported sanitation issues. It was a mixed day of trading with corn, soybeans and cattle closing higher like the overnight trade but wheat turning red. For the week, most of the...
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.