Missouri

Back to Business: The Very First Steps

The numbers suggest COVID-19 is easing its pandemic grip on the U.S., and with states lifting restrictions on business activity, tens of thousands of business owners will be trying to come up with their own answers to a shared question:… more

Hopeful Metrics on COVID-19 as of May 20

Health-care executives across the nation, like their counterparts in elective office, are anxiously studying metrics on the COVID-19 pandemic as states lift restrictions on business activity. They might take some measure of comfort from the latest statistics on the spread… more

‘Panic Shopping’ Boosts Walmart

Walmart reported strong sales and profits during its most recent quarter due to a surge in sales due to consumers wanting to stock up on household goods during the COVID-19 pandemic. Same-store sales rose 10 percent year over year at… more

Mortgage Applications Rose Last Week

Mortgage applications rose six percent last week from the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, possibly pointing to a home-buying recovery. Meanwhile, purchase volume dropped 1.5 percent year over year, a major recovery from six weeks ago, when… more

FTC: Watch Out for Contact-Tracing Scams

The Federal Trade Commission is warning consumers about contract-tracing scams sent out via text message.  It says that government health departments will send out a text message simply letting one know that they will call. Scan texts will ask for… more

$19B Farmer Relief Detailed

The Department of Agriculture released details on how the $19 billion in relief for farmers will be given out to recipients. Farmers that have suffered a loss of five percent or more are eligible for up to $250,000 per person.… more

J. C. Penney Closing 30 Percent of Stores

In another blow to the retail real estate industry, retailer JCPenney plans to pare back its store count by 30 percent, or 240 stores. It will leave it with about 600 total stores. The company, which operates seven stores and… more

Construction Industry Lost 975,000K Jobs Last Month

April's unemployment rate hit a dismal 14.7 percent, and the construction industry was no different. It lost 975,000 jobs over the month, in an industry that was having trouble finding workers before COVID-19 hit. Though other industries faced a tougher… more

Home Builders Confident Despite Starts Drop

Though the number of homes being built are lat their lowest levels since 2015, home builders are confident about the future, according to a National Association of Home Builders report. Total housing starts dropped 30.2 percent in April to a… more

GM Fairfax Reopening June 1, Following Ford

Ford's plant in Claycomo reopened yesterday, and across the state line, GM's Fairfax plant is set to open its doors again on June 1. Both have been closed since March. The facilities will have social distancing, face masks, and temperature… more