US Mortgage Applications Rise 3.2% Amid Market Volatility
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 11 2026
0mins
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.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy RKT?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
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: 13.790
Low
18.00
Averages
22.18
High
25.00
Current: 13.790
Low
18.00
Averages
22.18
High
25.00
About RKT
Rocket Companies, Inc. operates a fintech platform including mortgage, real estate and personal finance businesses: Rocket Mortgage, Redfin, Rocket Close, Rocket Money and Rocket Loans. Its suite of products empowers its clients across home search, mortgage finance and servicing, title and closing, financial wellness and personal loans. 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 markets to potential clients in this segment through various brand campaigns and performance marketing channels. 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. Its enterprise partnerships include financial institutions and consumer-focused companies that value its client experience.
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.
U.S. Homebuying Affordability Slightly Improves
- Affordability Improvement: In April 2023, the income required to afford a home was $116,780, down 2% from the previous year, although it remains $29,000 higher than the typical U.S. household income, indicating persistent affordability challenges.
- Price and Income Dynamics: Despite a 2.4% year-over-year increase in home prices in April, the average monthly mortgage rate fell from 6.73% to 6.33%, leading to a decrease in the percentage of income spent on housing from 42% to 40%, reflecting slight improvements in affordability.
- Market Dynamics Shift: Among the 50 most populous U.S. metros, affordability improved in 35 areas, particularly in Chicago where buyers needed $101,075, a 13.3% decrease, indicating shifts in market competition.
- High-Price Market Pressure: In San Francisco, buyers needed an income of $443,979, up 7% year-over-year, making it the city with the highest affordability pressure, reflecting trends of rising demand and prices that may impact overall market affordability.
See More
Rocket Companies Stock Declines 23.5% Amid Weak Revenue and EPS Trends
- Declining Revenue: Rocket Companies has experienced a 15% annual decline in revenue over the past five years, indicating weak demand and suggesting a lower quality business that may deter future investment interest.
- Falling EPS: The company's earnings per share (EPS) have decreased by 39.8% annually over the last five years, outpacing revenue declines, which highlights the challenges posed by a fixed cost structure in adapting to shrinking demand and further undermines profitability.
- Poor Return on Equity: With an average return on equity (ROE) of 9.2% over the past five years, Rocket Companies falls short of the industry average of 7.5%, indicating inefficiencies in utilizing shareholder equity that could impact investor confidence.
- Limited Market Opportunities: Although the stock has dropped to $13.86 per share with a forward P/B ratio of 1.6, analysts remain cautious about its growth prospects, suggesting investors consider other more attractive stocks in the current market.
See More
Q1 Earnings Review for Mortgage Finance Sector
- Overall Industry Performance: The 12 tracked mortgage finance stocks reported Q1 revenues exceeding analyst expectations by 4.1%, yet the next quarter's revenue guidance fell short by 1.5%, indicating market uncertainty and increasing competition.
- Rocket Companies' Strong Results: Rocket Companies (NYSE:RKT) achieved Q1 revenues of $2.82 billion, marking a 118% year-over-year increase and surpassing analyst expectations by 2%, although its stock has declined 10.3% since the report, reflecting high investor expectations for future performance.
- WaFd Bank's Solid Growth: WaFd Bank (NASDAQ:WAFD) reported Q1 revenues of $198.3 million, up 10.5% year-over-year, exceeding analyst expectations by 4%, with its stock rising 7.2%, indicating market confidence in its performance.
- Franklin BSP Realty Trust's Disappointment: Franklin BSP Realty Trust (NYSE:FBRT) reported Q1 revenues of $60.39 million, a 6.1% year-over-year increase, but fell short of analyst expectations by 17.4%, resulting in a flat stock performance, highlighting its competitive disadvantages.
See More
U.S. Home Contract Cancellations Decline Slightly
- Market Stability Signs: In April, U.S. home contract cancellations stood at 13.4%, a slight decrease of 0.1 percentage points from the previous month, indicating a gradual recovery in buyer and seller confidence, although still higher than levels seen in 2020 and 2021.
- Buyer's Market Characteristics: In Atlanta and other Sun Belt regions, nearly 19.3% of home purchase agreements were canceled, reflecting a significant imbalance with sellers outnumbering buyers, giving buyers more leverage to withdraw from deals.
- Regional Disparities: San Francisco reported a mere 2.8% cancellation rate, highlighting the booming housing market where buyers are reluctant to back out due to intense competition, further emphasizing the supply-demand differences across markets.
- Significant Decline in Orlando: Orlando experienced the largest month-over-month decline in cancellations, dropping from 18.5% to 16.8%, indicating a gradual recovery in the market and a boost in buyer confidence.
See More
Dan Gilbert's Fight for a Cure in Memory of His Son
- Son's Battle with Illness: Dan Gilbert's eldest son, Nick, passed away in 2023 due to neurofibromatosis, a condition affecting approximately 170,000 Americans, illustrating the relentless challenges of disease despite Gilbert's wealth and access to top medical care.
- Philanthropic Efforts: Through the Gilbert Family Foundation, Gilbert donates about $50 million annually to neurofibromatosis research and raised $12 million in one night, becoming a key partner of the Children's Tumor Foundation and facilitating the development of FDA-approved treatment options.
- Commemoration and Legacy: To honor Nick, Gilbert opened Gilly's Clubhouse in Detroit and initiated The Gilly Project, led by Nick's siblings, focusing on community service and charity to ensure Nick's spirit and vision live on.
- Personal Challenges and Resilience: After facing significant personal challenges, including a stroke and divorce, Gilbert emphasizes the importance of focusing on controllable aspects of life, continuing his fight for a cure for neurofibromatosis in Nick's honor.
See More
Rocket Mortgage and Redfin Launch New Savings Offer for Homebuyers
- Client Savings Opportunity: Existing Rocket Mortgage clients can save up to $20,000 when buying and selling with a Redfin agent, while new clients can save up to $12,000, achieved through lender-paid credits and commission discounts, significantly reducing home buying costs.
- Streamlined Home Buying Process: Heather Lovier, COO of Rocket Companies, stated that this collaboration aims to simplify the home buying process, allowing clients to experience greater affordability throughout their journey, thereby enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Ongoing Market Expansion: This new offer builds on Rocket's introduction of Rocket Preferred Pricing after acquiring Redfin in 2025, further expanding the collaboration between the two companies to help homebuyers save money, reflecting Rocket's sustained influence in the real estate market.
- Loan Rate Discounts: Rocket has also partnered with Compass International Holdings to offer a one-percentage-point reduction in the first-year loan interest rate or lender credits of up to $6,000, further lowering upfront costs for homebuyers and enhancing Rocket's competitiveness in the market.
See More
U.S. Homebuying Affordability Slightly Improves
- Affordability Improvement: In April 2023, the income required to afford a home was $116,780, down 2% from the previous year, although it remains $29,000 higher than the typical U.S. household income, indicating persistent affordability challenges.
- Price and Income Dynamics: Despite a 2.4% year-over-year increase in home prices in April, the average monthly mortgage rate fell from 6.73% to 6.33%, leading to a decrease in the percentage of income spent on housing from 42% to 40%, reflecting slight improvements in affordability.
- Market Dynamics Shift: Among the 50 most populous U.S. metros, affordability improved in 35 areas, particularly in Chicago where buyers needed $101,075, a 13.3% decrease, indicating shifts in market competition.
- High-Price Market Pressure: In San Francisco, buyers needed an income of $443,979, up 7% year-over-year, making it the city with the highest affordability pressure, reflecting trends of rising demand and prices that may impact overall market affordability.
See More
Rocket Companies Stock Declines 23.5% Amid Weak Revenue and EPS Trends
- Declining Revenue: Rocket Companies has experienced a 15% annual decline in revenue over the past five years, indicating weak demand and suggesting a lower quality business that may deter future investment interest.
- Falling EPS: The company's earnings per share (EPS) have decreased by 39.8% annually over the last five years, outpacing revenue declines, which highlights the challenges posed by a fixed cost structure in adapting to shrinking demand and further undermines profitability.
- Poor Return on Equity: With an average return on equity (ROE) of 9.2% over the past five years, Rocket Companies falls short of the industry average of 7.5%, indicating inefficiencies in utilizing shareholder equity that could impact investor confidence.
- Limited Market Opportunities: Although the stock has dropped to $13.86 per share with a forward P/B ratio of 1.6, analysts remain cautious about its growth prospects, suggesting investors consider other more attractive stocks in the current market.
See More
Q1 Earnings Review for Mortgage Finance Sector
- Overall Industry Performance: The 12 tracked mortgage finance stocks reported Q1 revenues exceeding analyst expectations by 4.1%, yet the next quarter's revenue guidance fell short by 1.5%, indicating market uncertainty and increasing competition.
- Rocket Companies' Strong Results: Rocket Companies (NYSE:RKT) achieved Q1 revenues of $2.82 billion, marking a 118% year-over-year increase and surpassing analyst expectations by 2%, although its stock has declined 10.3% since the report, reflecting high investor expectations for future performance.
- WaFd Bank's Solid Growth: WaFd Bank (NASDAQ:WAFD) reported Q1 revenues of $198.3 million, up 10.5% year-over-year, exceeding analyst expectations by 4%, with its stock rising 7.2%, indicating market confidence in its performance.
- Franklin BSP Realty Trust's Disappointment: Franklin BSP Realty Trust (NYSE:FBRT) reported Q1 revenues of $60.39 million, a 6.1% year-over-year increase, but fell short of analyst expectations by 17.4%, resulting in a flat stock performance, highlighting its competitive disadvantages.
See More
U.S. Home Contract Cancellations Decline Slightly
- Market Stability Signs: In April, U.S. home contract cancellations stood at 13.4%, a slight decrease of 0.1 percentage points from the previous month, indicating a gradual recovery in buyer and seller confidence, although still higher than levels seen in 2020 and 2021.
- Buyer's Market Characteristics: In Atlanta and other Sun Belt regions, nearly 19.3% of home purchase agreements were canceled, reflecting a significant imbalance with sellers outnumbering buyers, giving buyers more leverage to withdraw from deals.
- Regional Disparities: San Francisco reported a mere 2.8% cancellation rate, highlighting the booming housing market where buyers are reluctant to back out due to intense competition, further emphasizing the supply-demand differences across markets.
- Significant Decline in Orlando: Orlando experienced the largest month-over-month decline in cancellations, dropping from 18.5% to 16.8%, indicating a gradual recovery in the market and a boost in buyer confidence.
See More
Dan Gilbert's Fight for a Cure in Memory of His Son
- Son's Battle with Illness: Dan Gilbert's eldest son, Nick, passed away in 2023 due to neurofibromatosis, a condition affecting approximately 170,000 Americans, illustrating the relentless challenges of disease despite Gilbert's wealth and access to top medical care.
- Philanthropic Efforts: Through the Gilbert Family Foundation, Gilbert donates about $50 million annually to neurofibromatosis research and raised $12 million in one night, becoming a key partner of the Children's Tumor Foundation and facilitating the development of FDA-approved treatment options.
- Commemoration and Legacy: To honor Nick, Gilbert opened Gilly's Clubhouse in Detroit and initiated The Gilly Project, led by Nick's siblings, focusing on community service and charity to ensure Nick's spirit and vision live on.
- Personal Challenges and Resilience: After facing significant personal challenges, including a stroke and divorce, Gilbert emphasizes the importance of focusing on controllable aspects of life, continuing his fight for a cure for neurofibromatosis in Nick's honor.
See More
Rocket Mortgage and Redfin Launch New Savings Offer for Homebuyers
- Client Savings Opportunity: Existing Rocket Mortgage clients can save up to $20,000 when buying and selling with a Redfin agent, while new clients can save up to $12,000, achieved through lender-paid credits and commission discounts, significantly reducing home buying costs.
- Streamlined Home Buying Process: Heather Lovier, COO of Rocket Companies, stated that this collaboration aims to simplify the home buying process, allowing clients to experience greater affordability throughout their journey, thereby enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Ongoing Market Expansion: This new offer builds on Rocket's introduction of Rocket Preferred Pricing after acquiring Redfin in 2025, further expanding the collaboration between the two companies to help homebuyers save money, reflecting Rocket's sustained influence in the real estate market.
- Loan Rate Discounts: Rocket has also partnered with Compass International Holdings to offer a one-percentage-point reduction in the first-year loan interest rate or lender credits of up to $6,000, further lowering upfront costs for homebuyers and enhancing Rocket's competitiveness in the market.
See More
