Rocket Companies, Inc. (NYSE:RKT) is one of the Cheap Stocks to Buy for High Returns in 2026. On March 16, Keefe Bruyette analyst Bose George upgraded Rocket Companies, Inc. (NYSE:RKT) from Market Perform to Market Outperform and also raised the price target from $20 to $22. ​The analyst noted the stock’s recent decline as one of the key reasons behind the bullish sentiment. The stock has fallen around 24.5% year-to-date, which far outpaces the S&P 500’s 2.5% drop. The firm sees this as an attractive entr ...

According to the most recent 13F filings, institutional investors made notable additions to Rocket Companies, Inc. (RKT), reflecting renewed interest in the company’s exposure to the U.S. housing market, mortgage origination recovery potential, and growing platform leverage across homeownership-related services. Several well-known hedge funds and institutional managers increased their stakes last quarter, signaling confidence in Rocket’s ability to benefit from improving rate dynamics, brand scale, and oper ...

Market Overview - The S&P 500 experienced a broad-based rally, climbing 1.11% to 6,706, with 450 of 503 individual equity issues trading higher, marking the strongest single-session advance since May 27 [2][4] - All 11 sectors of the S&P 500 were in the green simultaneously for the first time since January 21, indicating improved market breadth [2][4] Oil Market Impact - WTI crude oil prices retreated from over $100 per barrel to approximately $94–95, a decline exceeding 3.7%, while Brent crude fell to around $101–102 [5][6] - The geopolitical situation, particularly the U.S. allowing Iranian oil tankers to transit the Strait of Hormuz, contributed to the decline in oil prices, providing a temporary floor for equities [3][4] Inflation and Economic Indicators - Inflation remains a concern, with energy prices significantly impacting the overall inflation narrative; Brent futures are up more than 42% since the onset of the Iran conflict [5][6] - The Federal Reserve is facing pressure to address inflation, with discussions around potential rate hikes becoming more prominent as oil prices rise [6][7] Sector Performance - Nvidia's stock gained approximately 2% ahead of its annual GTC developer conference, with expectations of revealing significant advancements in AI infrastructure [12] - NebiusGroup surged 12–14% after announcing a five-year AI infrastructure supply agreement with Meta Platforms worth up to $27 billion, indicating strong demand for AI-related services [13] - Micron Technology gained roughly 4–5% after announcing plans for a new manufacturing facility in Taiwan, highlighting the ongoing demand for DRAM in AI applications [15][16] Hedge Fund Activity - Hedge funds have been net sellers of global equities for four consecutive weeks, indicating a cautious stance among institutional investors [11] - The recent rally in equities occurred amidst significant short-side positioning, suggesting that the bounce may not indicate a sustained recovery [11] Cryptocurrency Market - Bitcoin reached its highest level since early February, trading near $73,600–$73,800, showing resilience against oil price fluctuations [17] - Ethereum outperformed Bitcoin, gaining 7% to approximately $2,270–$2,287, indicating a positive trend in the cryptocurrency market [17] Gold Market Dynamics - Gold prices oscillated around the $5,000 level, experiencing a decline despite rising geopolitical tensions, as inflation concerns from high energy prices exert pressure on the metal [23]

The most talked about and market moving research calls around Wall Street are now in one place. Here are today's research calls that investors need to know, as compiled by The Fly.Top 5 Upgrades: Keefe Bruyette upgraded Rocket Companies (RKT) to Outperform from Market Perform with a price target of $22, up from $20. The firm cites valuation for the upgrade with shares down 25% year-to-date.Keefe Bruyette upgraded PennyMac Financial (PFSI) to Outperform from Market Perform with an unchanged price target of ...

Core Thesis - Rocket Companies, Inc. (RKT) is attracting attention from sophisticated investors ahead of its Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings, scheduled for February 26, 2026, with a current share price of $15.15 as of March 11th [1][3] Options Trade Insights - A significant options trade involved an institutional investor selling 8,500 contracts of $RKT $15 Puts expiring February 27, 2026, collecting approximately $229,500 [3] - The timing of the trade is crucial as options premiums tend to spike before earnings due to increased implied volatility, allowing the trader to benefit from an "IV crush" post-earnings [4] Market Context - Recent macro concerns, including uncertainty around the next Federal Reserve Chair and weaker sector peers, have pressured RKT shares from their 52-week highs, but the smart money is betting that the worst-case scenario for the mortgage market is already priced in [5] - With signs of recovery in housing demand and government proposals supporting mortgage affordability, the fundamentals suggest limited downside for RKT [6] Historical Performance - RKT's stock price has appreciated by approximately 6.84% since a previous bullish thesis highlighted its potential to benefit from a home equity loan boom and its resilient mortgage servicing portfolio [7]

Core Insights - Redfin estimates that allowing home sellers to test pricing strategies before listing could increase housing inventory by 6%-12% in certain markets, enhancing buyer options and potentially leading to more transactions [1] Group 1: Housing Inventory and Market Dynamics - The flexibility for sellers to use 'Private Exclusive' and 'Coming Soon' listings allows them to gauge interest and determine accurate pricing, which can lead to a more confident decision to list their homes [1] - Redfin's analysis indicates that phased marketing can help sellers avoid prolonged market times and price cuts, which are detrimental to home sales [1] - The report highlights that overpricing a home by 10% or more can extend the time it remains on the market by over a month, emphasizing the importance of accurate pricing [1] Group 2: Seller Benefits and Market Confidence - Phased marketing offers sellers privacy and convenience, allowing them to market their homes without extensive public exposure, which is particularly appealing to certain demographics [1] - Sellers utilizing phased marketing are less likely to experience price cuts, which can negatively impact buyer perception and final sale prices [1] - The report suggests that as more homeowners feel empowered to list their properties, the overall housing inventory will increase, addressing the current housing shortage [1]

Core Insights - The Iran conflict is causing 25% of Americans to delay or cancel major purchases like homes and cars, but 56% report no impact on their purchasing plans [1] - The conflict's impact on purchasing plans is less significant than that of tariffs or job security concerns [1] Group 1: Impact on Major Purchases - 25% of Americans are postponing or canceling major purchases due to the Iran conflict [1] - The impact of the Iran conflict is comparable to the October government shutdown, where 22% of Americans delayed purchases [1] - Economic uncertainty from the Iran conflict may lead to higher mortgage rates, affecting homebuyers [1] Group 2: Consumer Sentiment - Most Americans remain undeterred in their plans to make significant purchases despite the conflict [1] - Redfin agents in military-heavy areas report minimal discussion about the Iran conflict affecting home buying [1] - Some agents noted hesitancy among first-time buyers and individuals with family in Iran [1] Group 3: Comparison with Other Economic Factors - Concerns about tariffs had a more substantial effect on purchasing plans, with over half of Americans delaying purchases in April [1] - In August, 42% of American workers cited job security concerns as a reason for delaying major purchases [1]

Core Viewpoint - Wall Street has turned bullish on UWM Holdings (UWMC), Rocket Companies (RKT), and SLR Investment (SLRC), with fresh Buy ratings initiated by Compass Point, driven by favorable macroeconomic conditions and improving rate dynamics [1] Group 1: Company Ratings and Targets - UWM Holdings (UWMC) received a Buy rating with a target price of $8.50, reflecting confidence in its strong position in the wholesale mortgage origination market [1] - Rocket Companies (RKT) was also initiated with a Buy rating and a target price of $21.00, highlighting its leadership in the digital mortgage platform and market share potential [1] - SLR Investment (SLRC) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral with a new target price of $16.50, indicating growing confidence in its specialty finance outlook [1] Group 2: Recent Performance and Financials - UWM Holdings reported a total origination volume of $49.61 billion in Q4 2025, its highest since 2021, with a full-year revenue of $3.16 billion, up 65.83% year-over-year [1] - Rocket Companies achieved a closed origination volume of $32.4 billion in Q3 2025, up 14% year-over-year, and mortgage rate lock volume of $35.8 billion, up 20% year-over-year [1] - SLR Investment's portfolio fair value stands at $2.1 billion, with 85% in specialty finance loans, and it pays a quarterly dividend of $0.41 [1] Group 3: Market Conditions and Implications - The Fed funds rate is currently at 3.75%, and the 10-year Treasury yield is at 4.15%, which historically supports mortgage origination activity [1] - Housing starts were reported at 1.404 million annualized units in December 2025, indicating steady demand for new home financing [1] - The implied upside from current prices to Compass Point's targets is substantial, with UWM's target representing significant distance from its current price of $3.89, Rocket's target compared to $15.59, and SLR's target above $14.45 [1][2]

Core Viewpoint - Rocket Companies, Inc. (RKT) experienced significant stock price fluctuations in 2025, with shares rising from $10 to nearly $25 before facing a substantial decline [1] Group 1: Stock Performance - The stock price of Rocket Companies surged due to falling mortgage rates throughout much of 2025 [1] - The shares reached a peak of nearly $25 in January after starting the year at $10 [1] - Following the peak, the stock has seen a considerable drop, indicating volatility in the Financials sector [1]

Core Insights - Rocket Companies Inc. (NYSE:RKT) experienced a significant decline in share prices, dropping 7.70% to $16.79, attributed to disappointing earnings results for both Q4 and the full year of 2025 [1] - The company reported a net loss of $234 million in 2025, a stark contrast to a net income of $636 million in 2024, despite a 31% increase in revenues to $6.695 billion from $5.101 billion [2] - In Q4 2025, net income plummeted by 89% to $68 million from $649 million year-over-year, while total revenues rose by 52% to $2.692 billion from $1.769 billion [2] Revenue Projections - For Q1 2026, Rocket Companies is targeting revenues between $2.6 billion and $2.8 billion, indicating an implied growth of 151% to 170% compared to $1.037 billion in the same quarter last year [3] Accounting Changes - Starting in Q1 2026, Rocket Companies will reclassify warehouse interest on loans held for sale as a direct expense, which will increase both reported revenue and expenses without affecting net income or cash flow. This change includes an estimated $150 million from the reclassification [4]