kansascityfed.org

1 month ago | kansascityfed.org | Nicholas Sly

Subscribe Share by: Nicholas Sly and Juan David Munoz Henao Purchases of certain essential items are necessary for households to provide for their livelihood. Spending on food, clothing, shelter, utilities, personal care and transportation all represent expenditures so critical to the wellbeing of households that falling short of a minimum threshold can lead them to being categorized as impoverished, as determined by the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM).

2 months ago | kansascityfed.org | Ty Kreitman

The U.S. agricultural sector is especially vulnerable to fluctuations in trade with Mexico, Canada, and China. Several major commodities and staple consumer food products rely heavily on exports to and imports from these countries. Major changes to these key trade relationships could lead to reduced farm sector revenues and higher food prices for consumers.

2 months ago | kansascityfed.org

2 months ago | kansascityfed.org | Nicholas Sly

Subscribe Share by: Nicholas Sly Contacts from several communities and industries noted recently that heightened uncertainty is weighing on their decision making in various ways. The recent rise in uncertainty has several drivers, including trade policy uncertainty, monetary policy uncertainty, other fiscal policy changes, as well as uncertainties about potential changes in economic fundamentals.

Mar 27, 2025 | kansascityfed.org | Nicholas A. Courtney |Daniel Harbour

In the fourth quarter, new small business lending decreased when compared to the same period in 2023, while outstanding loan balances increased. Interest rates on new term loans and lines of credit decreased across all bank types, which aligns with the declining rate environment.