Author: Lending Agent

Citi Research thinks the market is failing to correctly price aerospace and defense stocks, leaving open a huge opportunity to buy the dip amid signs of defense spending growth. Defense stocks have taken a hit in recent weeks given uncertainty tied to cost-cutting efforts by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, and President Donald Trump ‘s mixed messages on his trade and military spending plans. The iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) popped just after Trump’s election win, but lost more than 3% over the past month, fueled by Trump’s suggestion in mid-February that the U.S. could…

Key takeaways Mortgage interest is the cost of borrowing money from a lender, expressed as a percentage of your loan amount. Part of your monthly mortgage payment repays the amount you borrowed, and part goes toward your interest. Your mortgage interest rate depends on prevailing rates, as well as your credit score, down payment size and other factors. What is mortgage interest? Mortgage interest is the amount you pay a lender to lend you money to buy a home. You’ll see your interest expressed as a percentage. When you make your monthly mortgage payment, part of the money goes toward…

New apartment construction hit a record high last year, but all that new supply is apparently not enough to cool the competition in the market. Getting a rental is actually becoming even more difficult, according to a new report from RentCafe, an apartment search site.Last year, developers completed close to 600,000 multifamily units, according to the U.S. Census. That is the highest level since 1974 and a 34% increase from 2023. New York City, Dallas and Austin, Texas, led in the number of new rentals.Despite that, on a national level, rental competitiveness rose at the start of this year, according…

Analysts on Wall Street are raving about On Holding stock. Both UBS and Bank of America reiterated previously stated buy ratings on the sneaker company this week. Bank of America research analyst Thierry Cota called On stock “a home run,” while UBS analyst Jay Sole lauded its growth profile. On Holding reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter results on Tuesday, and also surpassed Wall Street’s organic growth forecasts. Shares have ticked down about 3% so far in 2025. However, the stock has bucked the recent selling pressure in the broader market, rising more than 10% week to date. ONON YTD mountain On Holding…

A sharp drop in mortgage interest rates finally lit a fire under loan demand. Both current homeowners and potential homebuyers jumped back into the market, after a lackluster showing for this year so far.Total mortgage application volume jumped 20.4% last week compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index. This was not only the first increase in three weeks, but it is an outsized weekly move.Mortgage rates were clearly the culprit. The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances, $806,500 or less, decreased to 6.73% from 6.88%, with points…

As a trade war with China escalates, Baidu Inc. (BIDU) stands out as an opportunity to gain exposure to a global leader in AI at a compelling valuation, with minimal risks from tariffs. As China’s leading search engine, BIDU has evolved into a powerhouse in AI innovation, with initiatives like the Ernie Bot chatbot, Baidu AI Cloud, and autonomous driving projects gaining significant traction. These efforts position BIDU to capitalize on China’s aggressive push to compete globally in AI, supported by recent deregulation that is unlocking value for Chinese tech firms. BIDU’s AI Cloud reported 26% growth in Q4 2024,…

Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentSource: Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentTens of thousands of federal workers have lost their jobs in recent weeks as the Trump administration attempts to slash government spending.Employees at the Federal Housing Administration could be one of the next targets, according to Antonio Gaines, president of the American Federation of Government Employees National Council 222, a labor union that represents the largest number of employees at the Department of Housing and Urban Development.It’s unclear how many and what type of workers are at risk of losing their jobs within the FHA, an agency under HUD.”It…

The debate over institutional ownership of single-family homes is heating up again. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has opened a 60-day public comment period to assess the role of large-scale investors—those owning 1,000 or more properties across multiple markets. This move could be a precursor to federal regulations targeting so-called “mega landlords” in the housing market.At the same time, Maryland is making its own push against corporate homeownership. Senate Bill 510, titled the “End Hedge Fund Control of Maryland Homes Act of 2025,” proposes aggressive limits on how many single-family homes an entity can own. Over four years, institutional investors…

Barrick Gold shares could be due for more gains over the coming months, according to UBS. Analyst Daniel Major upgraded the miner’s stock to buy from neutral and kept its 12-month price target at $22, reflecting 24% upside from Tuesday’s close. Shares have already surged more than 14% year to date, outpacing the S & P 500’s year-to-date loss of nearly 2%. The stock has also risen more than 3% over the past month. That comes after shares fell 16.5% in 2024 — lagging the broader market. “After material underperformance we think Barrick offers compelling value with near-term operational challenges…

Ryan Ratliff, center, real estate sales associate with Re/Max Advance Realty, shows Ryan Paredes, left, and Ariadna Paredes a home for sale in Cutler Bay, Florida, on April 20, 2023.Joe Raedle | Getty ImagesA sharp drop in mortgage interest rates finally lit a fire under loan demand. Both current homeowners and potential homebuyers jumped back into the market, after a lackluster showing for this year so far.Total mortgage application volume jumped 20.4% last week compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index. This was not only the first increase in three weeks, but it…