National

Unemployment Claims Hit 30 Million in Six Weeks

There were 3.8 million additional filings for unemployment for the week ended April 25, bringing the total to about 30 million in the last six weeks, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.  The four-week moving average for unemployment is… more

Consumer Spending Falls 7.5% in March

Consumer spending fell by 7.5 percent in March, a according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, which is a major shift in the small monthly increases seen prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. The decrease was $829.9 billion in spending… more

Feds Keep Interest Rates at Zero

The Federal Reserve Bank is keep interest rates between zero and one-quarter of percent as a result of negative economic impact caused by COVID-19. "The Committee expects to maintain this target range until it is confident that the economy has… more

Federal Guidelines on Social Distancing Expire Today

Though localities around the Kansas City metro area will allow businesses to open in phases next week, the federal government's guidelines on social distancing expired today. As a result President Trump said he would soon travel to Arizona, which is… more

Lockton Announces Leadership Changes

Lockton Companies, the world's largest privately-held insurance-brokerage firm, based in Kansas city, has announced changes in its leadership to support increased growth. Hiram Marrero, currently executive vice president and regional executive officer with Lockton, will assume the role of president,… more

Cerner Revenue, Earnings Rise

Kansas City-based healthcare-tech giant Cerner reported that it had increases in sales and earnings during its first quarter, despite impacts other businesses have sustained during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, executives lowered their earnings-per-share guidance for the year to between $2.78… more

Medical Office COVID-19 Impact Considered ‘Manageable’

Though COVID-19 will inflict some pain on the medical-office sector of commercial real estate, as it is for other industries, this building type is expected to bounce back relatively quickly, according to a Marcus & Millichap report. Last year, there… more

GDP Sees Biggest Drop Since Recession

Gross Domestic Product fell 4.8 percent during the first quarter, which reportedly the first quarterly decline since 2014 and the biggest drop since the first quarter of 2008, when it dropped 8.4 percent. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis says… more

Garmin Quarter Strong in Face of COVID-19

Garmin was a rare bright spot in public-company earnings during its first quarter despite an economy challenged by COVID-19. The Olathe-based GPS-device maker saw earnings per share rise 25 percent quarter over quarter, while revenues were up 17 percent year… more

UMB Posts Rare Quarterly Loss

UMB Financial Corp. reported a loss of $3.4 million during its first quarter, a sharp contrast from its other recent financial periods. During last year's fourth quarter, the bank's earnings were $66.5 million, and it brought it $57.7 million over… more