Horst Schneider

Must Read Research: Weather & Commodity Risks; Fed Hikes; EU Trade Dynamics and Evolving Consumers

Candace Browning, Mark Cabana, Horst Schneider, Lorraine Hutchinson

A 2026 market analysis highlights severe El Niño-driven disruptions to global grain and sugar supplies alongside tightening U.S. corn balances that could push prices above $6 per bushel. Concurrently, resilient payroll growth and accelerating inflation suggest the Federal Reserve must raise rates to approximately 4% by year-end, a move likely underpriced by current market expectations. In global trade, Chinese automakers doubled their European market share to 8% in Q1 2026 while second-hand apparel spending surged 38%, reflecting shifting consumer dynamics and intensified geopolitical trade flows.