Regional

Mortgage Applications Continue Decline

Week-over-week mortgage applications declined 3.3 percent week-over-week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Meanwhile, refinancing declined seven percent from the prior week, according to the trade group.  But despite that, purchases increased 12 percent from the prior week, MBA says.… more

Missouri Pork Association: Millions of Pigs to be Euthanized

Though the Missouri Pork Association (MPA) applauded President Trump's signing of the Defense Production Act (DPA) to extend funding to pork producers, problems apparently lie ahead. "Hog values have plummeted, and hog farmers are facing liquidation of their farms without… more

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

KCMO Easing Stay-At-Home Rules

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas is allowing some businesses to have soft opening and all employees back to work on May 6, a move up from the prior May 15. Called the "10/10/10 rule," it lets some non-essential businesses open… 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

COVID-19 Deaths Vary in KC Metro by County

The Kansas City Metro area has seen varying reports of COVID-19, depending on the county that people live in, which is also indicative of the counties that people live in and their respective populations. Here are the current number of… more