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STOCK MARKET
Corns At 30-Month High Fuel Demand For Salve
DES MOINES (CAP) - A sharp rise in reports of painful corns at doctors' offices nationwide is highlighting a growing need for better ointments and other topical medications as societal demands lead to an increased number of hours that Americans are required to spend on their feet, according to a report published today by the American Academy of Podiatrists.
"Emollient traders are bullish on deep, penetrating corns while the markets have gone bearish on the superficial variety of callus," said noted market analyst Ross Mello. "It appears we've only begun to scratch the surface and it could be weeks before we experience any relief."
Consumer confidence in corns eclipsed government forecasts thanks in part to a renewed focus on foot care and a greater willingness to share information and knowledge across social circles and like venues. Similarly, demand for Athlete's foot and other fungal infections have dropped to their lowest levels since late last year as the two markets split and crack.
"Despite the positive numbers, Wall Street is concerned that consumer confidence may erode because of the tendency to just pick at it and seek brief, short-term relief," said economist Mark Silva. "The market needs to show restraint and give long-term solutions a chance to work.
"If corns commodities can't correct themselves after being picked at, traders will have to wait for the market to scab over before trying something new," added Silva.
Wall Street pundits wary of unrealistic foot ailment futures say they do expect a corns surplus as the typically barefoot summer months approach. Iowa, the nation's largest producer of both corns and bunions, is expected to see doctors' office visits drop by 16% over last year as sufferers seek to reduce healthcare costs by looking toward home remedies.
"As parents realize the importance of having their children wear socks with their shoes, we're seeing corns production stabilize in many mid-size markets, if not tail off," said Mello. "The markets just need to avoid being rubbed the wrong way when people trade in shoes for flip-flops as the weather gets warmer."
International demand has remained shy of domestic supply, led by emerging exports of Plantar warts from the Asian markets.
"If the U.S. can get a foothold in China and Japan without stepping on their toes, we could see growth through the Pacific Rim spread like bacteria," said Silva. "That red, itchy, burning sensation isn't a warning - that's progress."
Foreign fungus production is projected to eclipse previous estimates despite the brittle nature of western European toenail markets. Meanwhile, U.S. producers hope to shoehorn their way into smaller European locales where toenail fungus imports have historically been strong.
Reaction from similar markets has been mixed, with a toejam sell-off coming on the heels of socks trading lower by the closing bell.
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