Explore in-depth features about our regional economy.
New Mexico draws on energy, trade to spur economy
While New Mexico continues to navigate economic and demographic challenges, increased revenues from oil and gas production provide opportunities to invest in education, infrastructure and other improvements to boost long-term growth.
El Paso educator promotes student career gateway via community colleges
William Serrata, president of the El Paso County Community College District, discusses the unique, postpandemic challenges that community colleges face.
No need for Texas to come up dry in pursuit of adequate water supplies
Sheila Olmstead, professor at the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy at Cornell University, discusses the competing demands for water in Texas and the challenges that growth poses.
Texas community banks grapple with national stresses as elevated rates pose new tests
Despite community banks’ relative strength in Texas, the outlook through year-end 2024 comes with evolving downside risks, particularly involving unrealized losses on fixed-income holdings.
Cattle ranchers have no beef with sizzling prices as consumers keep buying
David Anderson, professor and extension economist with the Department of Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University, discusses what’s driving cattle and beef prices from feedlots in the Texas Panhandle to supermarkets at a time when the size of the overall U.S. herd is at a more-than six-decade low.
Electricity providers hard pressed to keep up with growing tech-heavy demand
Dallas Fed economist Kunal Patel discusses the strains on the power grid, including those arising from Texas’ growing population, electrification of the economy, nearshoring and evolving technologies.
Mexican economic performance is likely to slow in 2024, with stubborn inflation, rising labor costs and a strong peso posing downside risks. Conversely, nearshoring and a larger-than-expected fiscal impact could bolster the Mexican outlook.
Our surveys deliver real-world insights from business leaders in our region. Their input is a valuable part of economic analysis and monetary policymaking.
Texas posts job gains in August, bolstering outlook despite signs of slowing
The Texas economic expansion continued in August despite some signs of slowing. Employment growth strengthened, rebounding from weakness in the prior two months.
The Texas Employment Forecast estimates job growth for the calendar year and is calculated as the 12-month change in payroll employment from December to December.
Texas Economic Performance and Outlook, November 2024
The Texas Economic Performance and Outlook provides a timely update on recent changes to the Texas economy based on labor market statistics, survey data and high-frequency indicators across the state’s key industries. Updated monthly.
Energy and the Economy: Meeting Rising Energy Demand
The ninth joint energy conference hosted by the Federal Reserve Banks of Dallas and Kansas City will focus on the outlook for global energy markets as well as developing domestic energy infrastructure at scale and meeting rising power demand. Participants include business leaders, central bankers, government officials, academics and financial market representatives.
“By spreading production costs across borders and taking advantage of lower labor costs in Mexico, firms can produce at a lower average unit cost, which leads to greater competitiveness in both global and domestic markets and to lower prices for consumers.”
How Does Immigration Fit into the Future of the U.S. Labor Market?
U.S. GDP growth is anticipated to remain sluggish over the next decade, and slow labor force growth is a key underlying reason. This paper argues admitting more immigrants is one way U.S. policymakers can bolster growth.
At the Heart of Texas: Cities’ Industry Clusters Drive Growth
The second edition of this special report is a comprehensive look at the industry clusters, history and demographics shaping 12 of Texas' key metropolitan areas, four of which are new to the report.
Recent research working papers on a variety of topics including the geography of jobs and the gender wage gap as well as the pandemic’s effect on the demand for inner-city living.
