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Wheat
Advisor Commentary

USDA’s Grain Reports: Wheat Surprises, Corn Holds Steady, and Ethanol Controversy Emerges

Commentary provided by Chad Burlet of Third Street AG Investments The last business day of September always brings us the USDA’s Grain Stocks and Small Grains reports. Traditionally, in these reports, most of the big surprises have been in the corn or soybean stocks, where an unexpected number can trigger a corresponding change in their estimate of […]

CTA

Key Considerations for Aspiring CTAs: Launching and Growing a Futures Trading Program

We speak regularly with aspiring CTAs and those who recently started their program. This is an important part of our value as a database provider and asset raiser for our traders. More importantly, it is a benefit to our investment customers. After all, finding new talent with the ability to generate returns and learning about […]

Wheat
Advisor Commentary

Bearish August for Grain Futures: Corn Down, Soybeans Up, and Wheat Takes a Hit

Commentary provided by Chad Burlet of Third Street AG Investments August was a bearish month for grain futures, with corn and wheat making their highs on August 2nd and lows on the 30th or 31st. Nearby corn and wheat futures traded to their lowest level since December 2020. Soybean futures, meanwhile, had almost the opposite experience, making their lows […]

Alternative Investment Strategy

China and the United States: A Collision Course of Aspirations and Dependencies

The world is currently experiencing a convergence of tumultuous events, which seems quite rare. Amidst this backdrop, the two foremost players appear to be on a collision course. China, an ascending power, wants to establish itself on the world’s stage and increase its influence. To realize this vision, China is aligning itself with nations with […]

patterns
Alternative Investment Strategy

The Fitch Rating Downgrade and the Looming Concerns for US Debt and Economy

On August 2, 2023, Fitch Ratings cut the outlook for US debt from AAA to AA+. While still considered one of the safest investments, it is a sign that despite a widespread belief in Keynesian economic principles, where each dollar expended yields multiples in benefits, we may encounter a reality check following the massive spending […]

black and white buildings
Alternative Investment Strategy

Real Estate Trends in a Post-Pandemic World: Unexpected Market Reactions

Following the 2008 housing bust, logic would suggest that a more significant increase in mortgage rates might similarly impact home prices and send prices falling. Surprisingly, this is not happening, and the reasons could have far-reaching effects. This is bad news for prospective home buyers who now face a double whammy of rising interest rates […]

Alternative Investment Strategy

The Rise and Fall of Rome: Lessons for Today’s World

Visiting a place like Rome, where history permeates every corner, is truly a remarkable experience. The juxtaposition of ancient columns alongside “modern” apartment buildings and the view of centuries-old defensive walls en route to savor gelato exemplify the captivating allure of this city. However, it is within the magnificent structures such as the Colosseum and […]

Wheat
Advisor Commentary

Significant Developments in Agricultural Markets Before USDA Reports

Commentary provided by Chad Burlet of Third Street AG Investments The last business day of June always brings the USDA’s release of its June 1 Grain Stocks Report and its Acreage Report. They arguably make it the most important report day of the year. This year’s reports certainly didn’t disappoint, but there were plenty of significant developments […]

Alternative Investment Strategy

The Construction of Indices: Shaping Market Trends and Investment Strategies

There is a common belief that active investors set the pace in the market, while passive indices merely follow their lead. As a result, passive indices can operate with lower fees since they abstain from making subjective judgments about individual companies and instead focus on constructing weights and making necessary adjustments. Given the substantial surge […]

Wheat
Advisor Commentary

Weather Dominates Ag Markets: Crop Surges, Price Wars, Soy Challenges

Commentary provided by Chad Burlet of Third Street AG Investments As expected, the weather was the dominant feature this month. In the U.S., corn and soybeans were planted ahead of the average pace, which increases the chance for trendline or better yields. A late-month surge of planting in North Dakota looks to have held prevented planting acres […]

Storm Clouds
Alternative Investment Strategy

The Current State of the Market: Volatility, Computer Trading, Buybacks, and Future Concerns

The current headlines include a debt ceiling crisis, inflation issues, rising rates, collapsing home sales, and bank failures piling up at a rate exceeding the 2008 mortgage crisis. With this, the equity market seems nonplussed as it motors along at a pedestrian rate with few days even moving in the 1-2% range, let alone higher. […]

Unravel
Alternative Investment Strategy

Unintended Consequences: Inflation, Housing Market Challenges, and Corporate Restructuring

Surging liquidity encouraged by central banks and government stimulus pushed inflation rates to a 40-year high causing surprise to leaders that thought they could support markets without consequence. In a desperate bid to slow these price increases, they are taking a page from the movie industry by removing Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. Not on […]

recession-inflation
Alternative Investment Strategy

The Threat to the Almighty Dollar: Is the World’s Reserve Currency at Risk?

“When the United States sneezes, the world catches a cold.” This saying reflects the dominance of the US markets, and with it comes the gift of producing the “world’s reserve currency.” However, the rise of digital currencies and competitors to the dominant US dollar is becoming a daily conversation. Governments worldwide desire the benefits that […]

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