Except for soyoil and SRW, the market provided a rebound today for the agricultural commodity markets. Most contracts reflected their overnight closes. Key points for today and the week include the following: New contract lows were printed this week in soybeans, soyoil, SRW, and HRS. Only lean hogs, corn and soymeal ended the week with gains. It was the third week in a row higher for corn. The Russian government reduced the wheat export quota by another 400,000 MT to 10.6 MMT. Influences include holiday squaring and year-end profit-taking. Outside markets include triple witching: stock options expire, index options expire, index futures expire. There is a drier trend in Argentina and southern Brazil. 12202024MC_weekly...
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.