The awkward truth about food prices in 2022

One problem, Magdovitz said, is that before the pandemic, consumers bought a lot of agricultural products as needed. He then hit the Covid-19 and buyers regretted not accumulating their stocks, especially when demand soared. If prices go down now, many will rush to rebuild inventories.

“If there is a big break in the market, which we don’t necessarily see in many of these goods, consumers will take it with both hands,” Magdovitz said. “This will limit the ability of prices to fall.”

When it comes to agriculture, producers cannot rapidly increase supply. It is difficult to increase arable land quickly or improve yields dramatically.

“This La Niña event is having a big, big impact right now,” Magdovitz said, noting the recent jump in soybean prices.

Big picture: The price of items like soybeans and corn is just one of the reasons for the impact of stickers on the grocery store. Food companies also face more expensive packaging and higher distribution costs. Workers’ wages are also rising.

The ‘Santa Claus Meditation’ is in full swing

Wall Street trading is notoriously light this week. But investors who are still changing their portfolios before the end of the year see reason to be optimistic, despite the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.

The price of oil has also been rising. The futures of West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark, are up again on Tuesday: the fifth straight earnings session.

Did you know? Wall Street may have grown old because of its belief in Santa Claus (sorry to our readers under 10). But he does have faith in the so-called “Santa’s rally.”

December is usually one of the best months for stocks. This is due in part to the strength of the last five days of the year. Good times usually extend to the first two trading days of the following year, according to Ryan Detrick of LPL Financial.

“Why are these seven days so strong? Whether it’s optimism for the coming new year, holiday spending, holiday merchants, institutions that fit their books, or the holiday spirit , the bottom line is that bulls tend to believe in Santa Claus, “said Detrick. in a recent note to customers.

The seven-day “Santa’s rally” has materialized almost six times since the mid-1990s. And on those occasions, the next year is usually tough. So far, so good in 2021, though.

Goldman Sachs announces a strengthening mandate

Goldman Sachs told employees Monday that all people who come to the bank’s offices in the United States will have to show proof of a Covid booster shot.

Goldman Sachs also plans to double the mandatory tests to twice a week for those entering U.S. offices starting Jan. 10.

Remember: Andy Slavitt, a former Covid-19 adviser to President Joe Biden, told CNN earlier this month that “there is no doubt” that CEOs should demand that employees get reinforcements in the light of the contagious which is the Omicron variant.

“If everyone is driven, this is the best chance to get everyone back,” Slavitt said.

This conversation, along with the Goldman Sachs movement, sends a clear message: Vaccination rules are going nowhere.

Until next time

The October FHFA home price index arrives at 9 a.m. ET, along with the S&P Case-Shiller home price index.

Tomorrow: The latest US crude oil inventory data.