Southwest Economy
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.
August 14, 2024
Dallas Fed Economics
Texas expansion moderates; labor market, price expectations normalize
The housing market slowed, with sales down and inventories rising. Data reflecting strain among small businesses and low- and moderate-income households appeared mixed. Some data point to rising stress, while others suggest resilience.
August 08, 2024
Southwest Economy
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.
August 05, 2024
Texas service activity improves, but moderate growth continues
Texas service sector activity expanded at a faster pace in July than the prior month, according to business executives responding to the Texas Service Sector Outlook Survey. The revenue index, a key measure of state service sector conditions, increased to 7.7 in July from 1.9 in June.
July 30, 2024
Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey
Texas factory activity was flat again in July, according to business executives responding to the Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey.
July 29, 2024
Economic Indicators
Texas Economic Indicators
In June, employment contracted slightly in Texas, while hourly earnings rose in the state and in most major metros. The unemployment rate was unchanged in Texas but ticked up for the nation.
July 26, 2024
Texas Employment Forecast
The Texas Employment Forecast estimates jobs will increase 1.9 percent in 2024, with an 80 percent confidence band of 1.4 to 2.4 percent.
July 22, 2024
Dallas Fed Communities
Moving up, falling back or staying still: How income mobility in Texas differs by race, ethnicity
This article analyzes how different demographic groups can climb the income ladder and move into higher-income groups.
July 19, 2024
Economic Indicators
Energy Indicators
Natural gas exports are recovering and poised to rise further. Real power prices are rising—achieving new highs—while the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) eyes the potential for August power outages.
July 17, 2024
Southwest Economy
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.
July 10, 2024