National

Federal government to send vaccines directly to pharmacies

Recently, the Biden administration announced 1 million additional COVID-19 vaccines will be shipped to pharmacies starting next week. The vaccines that are to be sent out will be in addition to vaccines the federal government has already distributed to states.… more

U.S employment shows 8.5 percent growth over 20 years

Total U.S. employment grew by 11,767,000, or 8.5%, in the 20 years ending in December 2020, according to a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. All of that growth—11,879,000, or 101% of the total—was due to increased… more

Number of mortgages in active forbearance sees weekly rise

For the second consecutive week, the number of mortgages in active forbearance increased from the week before, according to Black Knight. The report, including data through January 26, found that just 41,000 borrowers stopped receiving assistance with their loan –… more

Home buyers singing contracts at fastest pace in nine years

The week of Jan. 24 saw the largest share of pending homes find buyers within 14 days in at least nine years. Around 43 percent of homes that went under contract had an accepted offer within the first two weeks… more

Houlihan’s parent company to go public

Houlihan's parent company owner, Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta, has teamed up with another company to turn his privately-held restaurant and gaming empire public. Fertitta Entertainment Inc., the parent company of Golden Nugget/Landry's Inc. - which Houlihan's falls under - will… more

Major League Baseball will play full season, start on time

Major League Baseball announced on Feb. 1 that the season will start on time, and a limited number of fans will be allowed in the stands for games starting at Spring Training.  Anyone going to a game this upcoming season… more

GDP rises in Q4, year shows overall decline of 3.5 percent

After a year dominated by COVID-19, the economy closed 2020 in decent conditions, all things considered. Gross domestic product (GDP), increased at a 4 percent pace in the fourth quarter, slightly below the 4.3 percent expectation from economists surveyed by… more

SBA applies extension to 8(a) business development program

The U.S. Small Business Administration has granted an extension to select 8(a) Program participants due to COVID-19 challenges, allowing eligible applicants to elect a one-year program extension in the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program. The 8(a) program helps these firms… more

Overland Park OneDigital adds $7B in assets with acquisition

OneDigital Retirement + Wealth in Overland Park, Kan., one part of the whole that makes up OneDigital Investment Advisors in Atlanta, Ga., has gained new strength through the company’s latest acquisition of Fulcrum Partners. The acquisition has added roughly $7… more

In a Nutshell

We now have a new, much more liberal president. One of his first actions was to propose an additional $1.9 trillion stimulus package that includes $1,400 per-person direct payments to most households, a $400 per week unemployment insurance supplement through… more