Market Trends: Economic Commentary - Agency Forward®

Economic commentary

The chicken or the egg? Bird flu is driving up the prices of both

May 24, 2022

This month's issue features U.S. commodity prices, energy forecasts, and relevant industry news, including the war in Ukraine is the latest factor driving up vegetable oil prices.

Economic commentary

Yield curve flashes a warning but path to expansion’s end has only just begun

April 29, 2022

Shorter-term interest rates spiked further into April as the Fed signaled it will be aggressive with rate hikes in order to slow inflation.

Economic commentary

Current readings show poor crop condition for winter wheat, driving prices even higher

April 26, 2022

This month's issue features U.S. commodity prices, energy forecasts, and relevant industry news, including no current plans for direct payments to farmers for high fertilizer prices, annual California snowpack measurements were far below normal levels and Ag Barometer shows farmer sentiment is at its lowest level since May 2020.

Economic commentary

March Monthly Economic Dashboard

April 7, 2022

While pandemic impacts on the economy have significantly diminished, the Russian invasion of Ukraine (and the resulting sanctions) has created a negative supply shock that slows growth and boosts inflation. The Federal Reserve raised interest rates modestly in March but signaled a more aggressive policy response over the next two years — adding to risks that this expansion could end sooner rather than later.

Economic commentary

March Agriculture Markets Review

March 24, 2022

Russia and Ukraine are significant contributors to global trade, the Russian invasion of Ukraine is likely to have a large impact on U.S. agriculture. Specifically, the markets for wheat, corn, seed oils, and crude oil stand to have a decrease in supply. Prices should rise or remain elevated in the affected markets and, depending on the damage caused by and duration of the war, could last into next year for some goods.

Economic commentary

Video: Economic Trends to Watch in 2022

March 17, 2022

From inflation to lingering impacts from the Omicron variant, hear from Nationwide's Senior Economist Ben Ayers as he shares his perspective on the economic trends to watch.

Economic commentary

February Agriculture Markets Review

March 7, 2022

The 2022 planting season is nearly here, and the projections for this spring reflect higher prices for several crops (the index of prices received by farmers closed 2021 at its second highest level ever) as well as difficulty keeping up with strong international demand due to port bottlenecks (i.e., lower ag exports).