US Mortgage Applications Rise 3.2% Amid Market Volatility
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 10 hours ago
0mins
Should l Buy RKT?
Source: CNBC
- Mortgage Application Growth: According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, total mortgage application volume rose by 3.2% last week, indicating the kickoff of the spring market despite ongoing volatility from the Middle East situation.
- Increased Buyer Demand: The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index increased by 7.8%, 11% higher than the same week last year, demonstrating heightened buyer activity as winter weather improves.
- Refinancing Applications Slightly Up: Refinance applications rose by just 0.5% last week but were 81% higher than the same week a year ago, suggesting that borrowers are still seeking lower rates despite market fluctuations.
- Popularity of Adjustable-Rate Loans: The share of adjustable-rate mortgage applications increased to nearly 9%, reflecting consumer interest in lower rates, albeit with higher associated risks.
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Analyst Views on RKT
Wall Street analysts forecast RKT stock price to rise
11 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
6 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 15.500
Low
18.00
Averages
22.18
High
25.00
Current: 15.500
Low
18.00
Averages
22.18
High
25.00
About RKT
Rocket Companies, Inc. is a fintech platform including mortgage, real estate and personal finance businesses: Rocket Mortgage, Redfin, Mr. Cooper, Rocket Homes, Rocket Close, Rocket Money, and Rocket Loans. The Company's full suite of products empowers its clients across financial wellness, personal loans, home search, mortgage finance, title and closing. Through these businesses, it delivers client solutions leveraging its Rocket platform. It operates in two segments: Direct to Consumer and Partner Network. In the Direct to Consumer segment, clients have the ability to interact with Rocket Mortgage digitally and/or with the Company's mortgage bankers. It provides client service and leverages its brand to strengthen its wholesale relationships, through Rocket Pro, as well as enterprise partnerships, both driving growth in its Partner Network segment. The Company's capabilities span the entirety of homeownership, such as home search, financing, title, closing and servicing.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Iran Conflict Has Minimal Impact on Purchase Plans
- Impact on Purchase Plans: A new Redfin survey reveals that 25% of Americans are delaying or canceling major purchases like homes or cars due to the military conflict with Iran, indicating a relatively minor impact on purchasing intentions.
- Economic Uncertainty: Despite the Iran conflict driving up oil prices and causing market volatility, 56% of respondents stated that the conflict has no effect on their major purchase plans, suggesting that consumer confidence remains relatively strong.
- Comparison with Other Factors: The survey indicates that economic concerns such as tariffs and job security have a more significant impact on purchasing plans, with over half of Americans delaying purchases due to tariffs and 42% of workers canceling major purchases due to job insecurity.
- Regional Differences: In areas with significant military populations, such as San Antonio and San Diego, Redfin agents report that the Iran conflict has not yet significantly affected discussions about buying homes, although some agents noted hesitations due to family ties in Iran.
See More
US Mortgage Applications Rise 3.2% Amid Market Volatility
- Mortgage Application Growth: According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, total mortgage application volume rose by 3.2% last week, indicating the kickoff of the spring market despite ongoing volatility from the Middle East situation.
- Increased Buyer Demand: The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index increased by 7.8%, 11% higher than the same week last year, demonstrating heightened buyer activity as winter weather improves.
- Refinancing Applications Slightly Up: Refinance applications rose by just 0.5% last week but were 81% higher than the same week a year ago, suggesting that borrowers are still seeking lower rates despite market fluctuations.
- Popularity of Adjustable-Rate Loans: The share of adjustable-rate mortgage applications increased to nearly 9%, reflecting consumer interest in lower rates, albeit with higher associated risks.
See More
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- Market Recovery Potential: Despite Rocket's poor stock performance this year, the overall rally in the real estate sector, with the State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR ETF rising 7% year-to-date, provides a favorable backdrop for a potential stock rebound.
- Interest Rate Policy Impact: With traders expecting no action from the Federal Reserve at next week's policy meeting, any future rate cuts or a pullback in Treasury yields could lead to further upside for Rocket and its peers, enhancing investor confidence.
- CEO Vision: Josh Brown, CEO of Ritholtz Wealth Management, emphasized that Rocket's CEO is on the right track towards building a dominant mortgage-to-housing platform, a strategic vision that may attract more investor attention and drive stock recovery.
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- Wage vs. Price Growth: Chief Economist Lawrence Yun highlighted that wage growth is now outpacing home price growth by nearly four percentage points, and while mortgage rates are significantly lower than last year, actual housing demand remains muted.
- Inventory Levels: There were 1.29 million units for sale at the end of February, a 2.4% increase from January, yet this remains below the six-month supply considered balanced, reflecting a sluggish supply growth trend.
- First-Time Buyer Share: First-time buyers accounted for 34% of total sales, up from 31% a year ago, indicating an increase in market participation among new buyers despite low inventory and high prices.
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Iran Conflict Has Minimal Impact on Purchase Plans
- Impact on Purchase Plans: A new Redfin survey reveals that 25% of Americans are delaying or canceling major purchases like homes or cars due to the military conflict with Iran, indicating a relatively minor impact on purchasing intentions.
- Economic Uncertainty: Despite the Iran conflict driving up oil prices and causing market volatility, 56% of respondents stated that the conflict has no effect on their major purchase plans, suggesting that consumer confidence remains relatively strong.
- Comparison with Other Factors: The survey indicates that economic concerns such as tariffs and job security have a more significant impact on purchasing plans, with over half of Americans delaying purchases due to tariffs and 42% of workers canceling major purchases due to job insecurity.
- Regional Differences: In areas with significant military populations, such as San Antonio and San Diego, Redfin agents report that the Iran conflict has not yet significantly affected discussions about buying homes, although some agents noted hesitations due to family ties in Iran.
See More
US Mortgage Applications Rise 3.2% Amid Market Volatility
- Mortgage Application Growth: According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, total mortgage application volume rose by 3.2% last week, indicating the kickoff of the spring market despite ongoing volatility from the Middle East situation.
- Increased Buyer Demand: The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index increased by 7.8%, 11% higher than the same week last year, demonstrating heightened buyer activity as winter weather improves.
- Refinancing Applications Slightly Up: Refinance applications rose by just 0.5% last week but were 81% higher than the same week a year ago, suggesting that borrowers are still seeking lower rates despite market fluctuations.
- Popularity of Adjustable-Rate Loans: The share of adjustable-rate mortgage applications increased to nearly 9%, reflecting consumer interest in lower rates, albeit with higher associated risks.
See More
Rocket Companies' Acquisitions May Boost Stock Recovery
- Acquisition Strategy: Following a roughly 20% decline in stock price, Rocket Companies has expanded its service range through acquisitions like Mr. Cooper, now servicing nearly 10 million homeowners, showcasing its integration capabilities in the real estate market.
- Market Recovery Potential: Despite Rocket's poor stock performance this year, the overall rally in the real estate sector, with the State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR ETF rising 7% year-to-date, provides a favorable backdrop for a potential stock rebound.
- Interest Rate Policy Impact: With traders expecting no action from the Federal Reserve at next week's policy meeting, any future rate cuts or a pullback in Treasury yields could lead to further upside for Rocket and its peers, enhancing investor confidence.
- CEO Vision: Josh Brown, CEO of Ritholtz Wealth Management, emphasized that Rocket's CEO is on the right track towards building a dominant mortgage-to-housing platform, a strategic vision that may attract more investor attention and drive stock recovery.
See More
February Home Sales Show Modest Rebound Amid Challenges
- Sales Increase: Existing home sales in February rose by 1.7% from January to an annualized rate of 4.09 million units, according to the National Association of Realtors, although this reflects a 1.4% decline year-over-year, indicating ongoing market weakness.
- Wage vs. Price Growth: Chief Economist Lawrence Yun highlighted that wage growth is now outpacing home price growth by nearly four percentage points, and while mortgage rates are significantly lower than last year, actual housing demand remains muted.
- Inventory Levels: There were 1.29 million units for sale at the end of February, a 2.4% increase from January, yet this remains below the six-month supply considered balanced, reflecting a sluggish supply growth trend.
- First-Time Buyer Share: First-time buyers accounted for 34% of total sales, up from 31% a year ago, indicating an increase in market participation among new buyers despite low inventory and high prices.
See More
Latest Wall Street Rating Updates
- BofA Downgrades Qualcomm: Bank of America has downgraded Qualcomm from neutral to underperform with a price target of $145, citing lukewarm projected sales and EPS growth of only 2% and 1% CAGR from 2025 to 2028, significantly lagging the semiconductor sector's expected 17% growth.
- Deutsche Bank Upgrades Teladoc: Deutsche Bank upgraded Teladoc from hold to buy, highlighting an attractive risk/reward profile due to compelling valuation and a deliverable strategy for its BetterHelp business, indicating a strong potential for future growth.
- TD Cowen Upgrades Rivian: TD Cowen upgraded Rivian from hold to buy, projecting full-scale demand for its R2 model to reach between 212,000 and 335,000 units, suggesting significant upside potential against 2027 consensus estimates.
- Morgan Stanley Reiterates Microsoft Overweight: Morgan Stanley reiterated its overweight rating on Microsoft, emphasizing the readiness of its Office product suite for the upcoming Agentic AI offerings, with general availability expected on May 1, 2026, priced at $99 per user per month.
See More
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- Lumentum Holdings Decline: Lumentum Holdings Inc. saw a 24.65% drop this week, despite its upcoming inclusion in the S&P 500 on March 23, 2026, indicating a significant loss of investor confidence in its future performance.
- Celsius Holdings Struggles: Celsius Holdings, Inc. experienced a 17.86% decline this week, reflecting investor concerns over its profitability, particularly in a challenging overall market environment.
- Pressure on Precious Metals: First Majestic Silver Corp. dropped 17.69% this week, as rising dollar strength and yields exerted greater market pressure on precious metal companies amid escalating conflict in the Middle East.
- Carnival Corporation Impacted: Carnival Corporation's stock fell 10.45% this week, as coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets heightened geopolitical risks, leading to diminished investor confidence in cruise operators.
See More
