Archer-Daniels Midland is a major processor of oilseeds, corn, wheat, and other agricultural commodities. The company is also one of the largest grain merchandisers through its extensive network of logistical assets to store and transport crops around the globe. ADM also runs a nutrition business that focuses on both human and animal ingredients and is a large producer of corn-based sweeteners, starches, and ethanol.

Founded in 1902 and based in Chicago, Archer Daniels Midland purchases, transports, stores, processes, and merchandises agricultural commodities and products worldwide. The Ag Services and Oilseeds division purchases and processes oilseeds, including soybeans, cottonseed, sunflower seeds, canola, peanuts, flaxseed, and palm into vegetable oils and protein meals. The Carbohydrates Solutions division is involved in the wet and dry milling of corn, and produces alcohol, amino acids, citric and lactic acids, and other specialty food and animal feed ingredients, as well as ethyl alcohol. The Nutrition division sells specialty products such as natural flavor ingredients, flavor systems, natural colors, and animal Nutrition products. The company has approximately 42,000 employees. ADM shares are a component of the S&P 500.

Most stock indices didn't rock the world in September, but any progress in that historically difficult month should be considered a bonus -- especially after the gains already booked so far in 2024. The minor and major indices all rose between 1% and 2.7%, with the larger indices doing the best. Turning to sectors, Consumer Discretionary (XLY) and Utilities (XLU) led, both gaining 7%. Communication Services was up 4%, while Information Technology, Materials, Real Estate, and Industrial were all up about 3%. Energy was last, with a 3% loss, with Healthcare down 2% and Financial off 0.6%. Overall, that's a healthy-looking performance report for the month. The biggest S&P 500 individual stock gainers for September were primarily from Discretionary, with some help from Industrial. The largest XLY monthly winners were LVS (+29%); TSLA (+22%); CPRI (19%); UAA, HBI, and TPR, all up 16%; NCLH (+15%); RL (+14%); and CCL and KSS, both up 12%. While there were plenty of retailers on the list of stocks with nice gains, four out of the six were comeback stories. Taken together, this list of Discretionary stocks certainly indicates that investors are not overly worried about consumer spending or the economy. Industrial winners were focused in airlines and included UAL, ALK, DAL, and FBIN. That also seems like a plus for the economy. On the downside list, there were plenty of Energy, Healthcare, and Information Technology stocks. In Energy, APA, DVN, FANG, and NOV all fell between 10% and 14%. Weak Healthcare names included MCK, REGN, HUM, and PRGO. From Information Technology, QRVO, SWKS, and ADBE all lost 10% to 11%.

Archer-Daniels Midland is a major processor of oilseeds, corn, wheat, and other agricultural commodities. The company is also one of the largest grain merchandisers through its extensive network of logistical assets to store and transport crops around the globe. ADM also runs a nutrition business that focuses on both human and animal ingredients and is a large producer of corn-based sweeteners, starches, and ethanol.