After 30 years of payments to farmers and blenders, the federal subsidy on corn-based ethanol expired when Congress adjourned last week without taking any action to renew the payments. A cynic might…
In 2007, the U.S. Congress established mandates for the amount of cellulosic ethanol and other biofuels to be used in the nation’s transportation fuel supply. Cellulosic ethanol and fuels based on algae…
Fears for a supply shortage of corn earlier this year led the world’s farmers to plant more of the crop on expectations of higher prices. Now that the crop is in, it…
Cocoa prices spiked earlier this year when Ivory Coast, the world’s largest producer, banned exports in a political dispute. The bean reached a high of more than $3,600/metric ton in February. Since…
Paul Ausick Our series on expected upside in stock prices continues today with a look at the biofuels sector. What you are about to see are numbers that, for the most part, defy gravity.…
The companies we’re looking at today run the gamut from large farm and food products producers to the packaged goods makers that make the products on store shelves. It’s a wide range,…
The markets are beyond jittery. From a massively overbought market discounting a recession entirely back to a market dominated by the woes of Europe. The Europeans cannot get their bailouts straight because each…
Earnings season is still running strong and the economic readings keep coming out as well. As we come to the end of October, there is going to be plenty of news coming…
Fertilizer maker Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, Inc. (NYSE: POT) reported third-quarter earnings this morning that were more than double earnings for the same period a year ago. But in this case, a…
Jon OggThese are some of the top analyst upgrades, downgrades, and initiations seen from Wall Street research calls this Monday morning. American Capital Agency (NASDAQ: AGNC) Cut to Market Perform at JMP…
While the debate rages over whether or not the U.S. should enact legislation aimed to curb currency manipulation — and specifically the Chinese peg to the U.S. dollar — the impact of…
Since the beginning of September, copper and corn prices have fallen dramatically, with copper off nearly -35% from its 12 month high and corn off about -25%. Because both are often seen…
If the US has an energy policy — a big if — that policy turns on two factors. One, reducing energy imports; and two, reducing environmentally harmful emissions. How the US will…
Today’s reported ratings actions as of just after noon include announcements regarding Clorox Co. (NYSE: CLX), Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE: HD), HCA Inc. (NYSE: HCA), Gannett Co. Inc. (NYSE: GCI), Archer Daniels…
Jon OggThese are some of this Friday’s top analyst upgrades, downgrades, and initiations seen having an impact from Wall Street research calls. Altera Corporation (NASDAQ: ALTR) Started as Outperform at William Blair.…
