Inflation is a hot topic lately; it is the reason why the Fed has signaled it will raise interest rates three times next year. Moreover, it is why Senator Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia), a key swing vote in the Senate, has come out against the Administration’s Build Back Better legislation. Inflation has been cited by the White House as proof of “corporate greed” to be addressed by more vigorous anti-trust policy, especially with regard to meat, and particularly beef. Demand for meat – especially beef – turned out to be unexpectedly high during 2020 (think about consumers’ freezer stocking and panic buying early in the pandemic, especially with limited supplies as slaughter was down). Again in 2021, the q...
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...