Reuters — Hedge fund Tourbillon Capital Partners is urging Canadian organic food firm SunOpta Inc. to sell itself to a bigger rival, according to a letter sent to the company on Friday. Mississauga, Ont.-based SunOpta’s share price jumped 26 per cent after the US$4 billion hedge fund asked it to hire an investment bank to […] Read more
Hedge fund urges organics firm SunOpta to sell itself
U.S. grains: Corn sets 10-month high on export demand
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade corn futures rose about one per cent on Friday to the highest level in 10 months on strong export demand and short-covering ahead of a long U.S. holiday weekend, traders said. Soybean futures also climbed even as nearby soymeal futures declined. Wheat futures closed little changed after […] Read more
Canadian firm to buy Taco Time, Cold Stone parent
A Montreal company known for mall food court and quick-service restaurant brands across Canada is set to buy a major U.S. player in the same sectors. MTY Food Group, which owns or holds franchises for 40 brands including Mr. Sub, Cultures, La Cremiere, Extreme Pita, Country Style, Yogen Fruz, TCBY and others, announced Wednesday it […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soybeans retreat on profit-taking
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures fell on Thursday on profit-taking after rising to their highest in 20 months as soymeal pared gains, but analysts cautioned that soymeal’s rally might not be over. Wheat futures rose three per cent and corn firmed, notching a 10-month top in early moves. At the Chicago Board of […] Read more
New Whole Foods chain 365 faces tough mission
Los Angeles | Reuters — Whole Foods Market’s 365 grocery chain offers lower prices and more technology than the company’s namesake supermarkets, but experts say the fledgling brand must beat its many rivals without hijacking customers from its parent. 365, which debuted on Wednesday with a bright and airy store in Los Angeles’ Silver Lake […] Read more
CBOT weekly outlook: Surprise demand propping up prices
CNS Canada — Unexpected demand for corn and soybeans is supporting markets in Chicago, according to one U.S. trader, a trend he expects to continue. Soybeans — “It’s just not over yet,” said Sean Lusk, director of commercial hedging with Walsh Trading in Chicago. Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) soybeans rallied in late April after […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soy surges on concerns over Argentina soymeal
Reuters — U.S. soybean futures jumped three per cent on Wednesday, the biggest gain for the most-active contract in two weeks, boosted by concerns about a possible shortage of soymeal from Argentina. U.S. wheat futures rose on short-covering and forecasts of unfavourable rain in the U.S. Plains grain belt, while corn advanced to a one-month […] Read more
Pearce: Ontario crop conditions a tale of two scenarios
When it comes to getting a handle on current crop conditions in Ontario, it really depends on who you ask. Conditions and progress in the southern portion of the province vary — some considerably — compared to those in eastern Ontario, particularly where it comes to planting corn and soybeans. If there’s one common theme […] Read more
Klassen: Improving margins support feeder market
Average western Canadian feeder cattle prices were $3-$5 above week-ago levels, with top-quality larger groups trading as much as $8-$10 higher. While current pen closeouts remain underwater, the deferred positions are somewhat brighter, which has rejuvenated buying enthusiasm. Most risk management strategies rely on cattle feeders staying in the game all year. There appears to […] Read more
U.S. grains: Wheat climbs on short-covering, wet weather
Reuters — Chicago wheat rose on Tuesday, lifted by short-covering and concerns about unfavourable rains for maturing U.S. crops. Corn ended mixed and soybeans finished a volatile session lower, with corn weakened by spread trades against wheat and soybeans down on technical selling. Chicago Board of Trade July wheat added two cents, or 0.6 per […] Read more
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