Core Viewpoint - A sharp rise in mortgage rates could reverse the U.S. housing market's recovery, which has recently begun to show signs of improvement due to lower borrowing costs [1][2]. Group 1: Mortgage Rate Trends - The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 6.06% for the week ending January 15, 2026, marking the lowest level since late 2022 [2]. - The 15-year fixed rate dropped to 5.38%, leading to a noticeable increase in purchase applications and refinance volume [3]. Group 2: Policy Interventions - President Donald Trump's directive for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities (MBS) contributed to the decline in mortgage rates [3]. - This intervention increased demand for MBS and narrowed the spread to Treasuries, briefly pushing some daily quoted rates to 5.99% [4]. Group 3: Economic Concerns and Criticism - The policy has drawn criticism from economists who warn that diverting funds from Treasury purchases could lead to higher long-term yields and rekindle inflation [5]. - Critics like Peter Schiff and Mohamed El-Erian have labeled the strategy as a misallocation of credit and highlighted the risks of political interference in markets [6]. Group 4: Market Outlook - Industry observers believe the housing market is poised for a solid spring sales season if mortgage rates remain favorable [4]. - Cramer's concerns emphasize the fragility of the current market thaw, suggesting that any rebound in rates could re-lock homeowners and stall market momentum [6].

Core Insights - Redfin predicts that 2026 will mark the beginning of "The Great Reset," where wages will outpace home prices for the first time since 2008, potentially leading to more affordable housing in the future [1] - The mortgage banking industry is characterized by cyclical changes, and success in this field is attributed to consistency and hard work rather than luck or brilliance [1] - The housing market is expected to improve as 2026 approaches, with a focus on how quickly momentum will build and what factors will drive this progress [2] Industry Developments - LoanStream is offering up to 75 basis points (BPS) in price improvements on select non-QM products for loans locked between January 1-31, 2026, including options for international borrowers [2] - MAXEX has introduced fresh jumbo pricing, allowing sellers to access exclusive pricing and compete with larger lenders, enhancing underwriting efficiency and decision-making speed [2] - OutamateMods Retention is providing tools for lenders to retain customers proactively as refinancing activity increases, emphasizing the importance of loan retention in a competitive market [2] Technology and AI - A webinar titled "The Executive's Guide to Evaluating AI in Mortgage Technology" will address how mortgage leaders can assess AI-driven solutions, focusing on transparency and long-term value [3] Historical Context - A retrospective on the mortgage industry in 2006 highlights major players in various categories, including conventional conforming lenders and FHA/VA producers, providing context for current market dynamics [5][6][7] Advocacy and Legislative Efforts - The Mortgage Action Alliance (MAA) has successfully advocated for several legislative changes in 2025 and emphasizes the need for continued support in 2026 to address key industry issues [8] M&A Activity - American Business Media has acquired HomeQB, enhancing its offerings in mortgage certification and software, which will support loan officers in building strategic partnerships [9][10]

Industry Overview - The U.S. housing market has shown signs of recovery in late 2025, with existing home sales increasing by 0.5% month over month in November to an annualized rate of 4.13 million units, the highest in nine months [4] - The National Association of Realtors (NAR) anticipates a 14% increase in existing home sales for 2026, driven by improved inventory, affordability, and lower mortgage rates [5] - The Zacks Building Products - Home Builders industry has underperformed compared to the broader Construction sector over the past six months, but mid to long-term prospects remain promising [2] Company Insights Century Communities, Inc. (CCS) - Century Communities focuses on affordable single-family homes and has a land-light operational model, which positions it well for a rebound as mortgage rates ease [13] - The stock has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and has increased by 7.9% in the past six months, with 2026 sales and EPS estimates expected to rise by 7.2% and 34.2%, respectively [14] D.R. Horton, Inc. (DHI) - D.R. Horton targets first-time and move-up buyers with affordable single-family homes and has improved operational efficiency [18] - The stock has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) and has risen by 14.4% in the past six months, with sales estimates for fiscal 2026 expected to improve by 0.2%, although EPS estimates are projected to decline by 1.2% [19] Lennar Corporation (LEN) - Lennar has maintained substantial new orders and backlog, with home deliveries in Q4 fiscal 2025 increasing by 3.7% year over year [15] - The stock carries a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) and has decreased by 2.4% in the past six months, with 2026 sales and EPS estimates expected to improve by 0.2% and 5%, respectively [17]

Core Viewpoint - Whirlpool has faced significant challenges, resulting in a substantial underperformance compared to the S&P 500, but it is positioned to benefit from tariffs in the future [2][9]. Company Performance - Whirlpool's stock has declined by 45% over the past five years, while the S&P 500 has increased by 103% [2]. - The current market capitalization of Whirlpool is $4.4 billion, with a current stock price of $76.94 [3]. - The company has $6.2 billion in long-term debt and has experienced pressure on profit margins and cash flow due to high interest rates and competitive actions from Asian rivals [3]. Financial Guidance - Management reduced the expected EBIT margin from ongoing operations from 6.8% to 5% and revised free cash flow expectations from $500 million-$600 million to $200 million [5]. - The target for debt reduction has been pushed from 2025 to 2026 [5]. Market Dynamics - Asian competitors have aggressively preloaded the market ahead of tariffs, creating a highly promotional environment [6][7]. - With tariffs in place and a slowdown in import volumes, Whirlpool is expected to benefit as 80% of its products sold in the U.S. are domestically manufactured [9]. Future Outlook - A recovery in the housing market, which is anticipated to drive sales of higher-margin domestic appliances, has not yet occurred but is expected to improve as the Federal Reserve cuts rates [10]. - The company could potentially deliver better results for investors in the coming year [10].

Core Viewpoint - The stock of luxury home goods retailer RH is considered high-risk, high-reward, largely dependent on the housing market's performance [1] Group 1: Stock Performance and Market Conditions - RH's stock has experienced significant volatility, described as a "rollercoaster," due to CEO Gary Friedman's expansion efforts amid economic downturns and a challenging housing market [1][2] - The stock began to decline approximately a year ago when the Federal Reserve halted rate cuts and tariffs impacted manufacturing costs [2] - Recently, the stock has seen an uptick as investors anticipate potential rate cuts and show optimism regarding consumer spending, with a 5.67% increase noted on Friday [3] Group 2: Company Performance and Management Insights - In a recent quarterly report, RH achieved a revenue beat but missed earnings expectations and provided weak guidance [3] - CEO Gary Friedman expressed optimism in his shareholder letter, highlighting that RH is gaining market share and achieving industry-leading sales growth despite macroeconomic challenges [3] - However, Friedman acknowledged ongoing risks, including the uncertain housing market, tariffs, and rising construction costs [3] Group 3: Future Outlook and Risks - RH is viewed as a leveraged play on a potential housing recovery, with the possibility of significant stock appreciation if the Federal Reserve continues to cut rates and the housing market improves [4] - Conversely, if the housing market does not improve and the company faces ongoing tariff issues while pursuing aggressive expansion, it could lead to severe negative outcomes [5]

Core Insights - Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. (BSET) is currently positioned in a challenging housing market, with expectations for recovery potentially in 2026 [1][8] - The company holds a Zacks Rank of 5 (Strong Sell), indicating it is in the bottom 7% of Zacks Ranked Industries [1] Company Overview - Bassett operates 86 company and licensee-owned stores in the U.S., focusing on home furnishings, including custom furniture design and in-home design visits [2] - Approximately 60% of products are sold through stores, with a significant wholesale business serving over 1,000 open market accounts [2][3] Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, Bassett reported earnings of $0.09, meeting Zacks Consensus, with a revenue increase of 5.9% year-over-year; excluding Noa Home Inc. sales, revenue rose 7.3% [4] - Gross margin improved by 320 basis points to 56.2%, attributed to better margins in the wholesale segment [4] Earnings Outlook - Analysts predict a turnaround in earnings, with expectations of a 268% increase in 2025 to $0.81 from a loss of $0.48 in the previous year, followed by a further 34.6% growth to $1.09 in 2026 [6] Market Sentiment - Despite the anticipated earnings recovery, the Zacks Rank reflects a downward revision in analyst estimates for 2025 and 2026, contributing to the Strong Sell rating [7][8] - Bassett's shares have increased by 22% year-to-date and 13.5% in the last month, despite the challenging market conditions [9] Competitive Position - The company manufactures about 75% of its furniture in the U.S., which helps it avoid many tariffs [11] - Bassett is considered shareholder-friendly, offering a dividend yield of 4.9% [11] - The stock is trading at a forward P/E ratio of 15, indicating it may be undervalued [13]

Core Viewpoint - Home Depot anticipates sluggish growth in 2026, heavily reliant on a recovery in the housing market to improve its performance [1][2][9] Company Outlook - For 2025, Home Depot expects comparable sales growth to be slightly positive, with total sales projected to increase by 3% due to the opening of 12 new stores and the acquisition of GMS [1] - The company forecasts adjusted earnings per share to decline by approximately 5% in 2025, influenced by consumer spending uncertainty and a challenging housing market [2] - In 2026, Home Depot projects comparable sales growth between 0% and 2%, with total sales growth expected to be between 2.5% and 4.5% [7] - The adjusted earnings per share for 2026 is anticipated to increase by 0% to 4%, partially offsetting the decline from 2025 [7] Industry Context - The home improvement market is expected to remain flat in 2026, with industrywide sales growth projected between -1% and +1% compared to 2025 [4] - Redfin predicts a multi-year reset in the housing market, with home sales expected to rise by only 3% in 2026, as many potential buyers remain priced out [5] - Remodeling activity may increase as homeowners choose to stay in their homes, but ongoing affordability issues could hinder this trend [6] Market Recovery Scenario - Home Depot outlined a "market recovery case" for 2026, which assumes improved housing activity and increased spending on larger projects, projecting comparable sales growth of 4% to 5% and total sales growth of 5% to 6% [8] - However, the likelihood of this optimistic scenario is low, given the economic pressures on U.S. consumers [9] Stock Performance - Home Depot's stock has declined about 10% this year and is down roughly 19% from its 52-week high, leading to concerns about its valuation being overly optimistic [10] - The stock trades at about 23 times adjusted earnings based on the high end of the company's 2026 outlook, which appears expensive given the minimal sales and earnings growth [10]

Core Insights - The housing market is currently struggling but shows signs of recovery, with easing interest rates and home prices expected to lead to improvements by 2026 [2][7] - Companies like D.R. Horton, Lowe's, and Whirlpool are well-positioned to benefit from the anticipated recovery in the housing market, with long-term stock price growth expected [3][7] Company-Specific Insights - D.R. Horton, as the largest homebuilder in the U.S., is facing revenue pressure due to falling home prices in 2025, but ongoing volume growth is crucial for sustaining cash flow and capital returns [4] - The company has reduced its share buyback forecast but still expects robust buybacks at approximately 5.8% of its late-November market cap, following a nearly 10% decline in FY2025 [5] - D.R. Horton offers a reliable dividend yielding about 1.25%, with a payout ratio below 15% of earnings, and share buybacks are expected to support per-share metrics [6] Market Sentiment - Analyst sentiment is mixed, with some price target reductions balanced by increases, but overall bullish due to institutional buying, which is more than $2 for every $1 sold in the first half of Q4 [9] - Institutional ownership exceeds 90% of D.R. Horton stock, indicating strong support for the company as it navigates the housing market recovery [9]

Core Viewpoint - Home Depot reported weaker-than-expected earnings for the third consecutive quarter, leading to a significant drop in stock price, with management lowering its earnings guidance for the year [1][2]. Financial Performance - In fiscal Q3, Home Depot earned $3.74 per share, below the expected $3.84, with same-store sales growth at only 0.2% [1]. - The company now anticipates a 5% decline in adjusted earnings per share for the year [2]. - Following the earnings report, Home Depot's shares have decreased approximately 20% from their September high [2]. Strategic Positioning - Despite the earnings dip, management asserts that Home Depot maintains its market-leading position and is gaining market share from competitors [3]. - The recent acquisition of GMS contributed about $900 million to quarterly sales, indicating strategic expansion into the higher-margin professional contractor segment [3]. Digital and Operational Growth - Home Depot's digital platform sales grew by 11% year-over-year, showcasing successful omnichannel execution and operational improvements [4]. Dividend and Valuation - The company offers a healthy dividend yield of 2.73%, making it an attractive option for investors [4]. - Home Depot is currently trading at a price-sales (P/S) ratio of 2.23x, which is considered inexpensive relative to its historical multiples [6]. Market Outlook - The Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts are expected to drive a recovery in Home Depot shares, particularly as the housing market begins to thaw [5]. - Home Depot's exposure to both professional contractors and DIY clients positions it well to benefit from a potential housing market recovery [5]. Analyst Sentiment - Despite the recent earnings miss, Wall Street analysts remain bullish on Home Depot shares [7].

Core Insights - The US housing market is currently facing challenges, with expectations of continued cooling in housing sales due to high mortgage rates and economic uncertainty [2][3]. Company Insights - D.R. Horton, the largest homebuilder in the US, anticipates that the sluggish housing sales will persist into the next year, as buyers remain hesitant [2]. - The company's average sales price for single-family homes decreased by 3% year-over-year to $365,600 in the three months ending September [6]. - D.R. Horton is utilizing incentives, such as mortgage buydowns, to attract buyers, which has reduced the company's gross profit margin by 110 basis points [6]. Industry Insights - Builder confidence, as measured by the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, stands at 37, indicating a lack of optimism in the short-term outlook for the housing market [2]. - Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell noted the weakness in the housing sector, which is influenced by employment concerns [3]. - The unemployment rate in the US rose to 4.3% in August, contributing to uncertainty in the job market and affecting consumer confidence and household formations [4][5].