New York, January 10, 2026, 13:49 EST — Market closed
- Martin Marietta (MLM) surged 4.6% Friday, hitting a new closing high, while Vulcan (VMC) rose 4.2%
- Housing-sensitive stocks jumped following a U.S. jobs report and the announcement of a fresh $200 billion mortgage bond-buy order
- Attention now turns to Tuesday’s U.S. CPI report and what it means for rate expectations
Shares of Martin Marietta Materials Inc jumped 4.6% on Friday, closing at a record $666.67 and thrusting the basic materials company back into the spotlight.
Timing is crucial. Building materials shares are moving once more in sync with interest rates, as investors track mortgage expenses and shifts in U.S. policy just as closely as cement demand.
President Donald Trump directed government-backed lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds, Reuters reported, aiming to bring down mortgage rates. TD Cowen noted this move could shrink the spread between the 30-year mortgage rate and the 10-year Treasury yield — a key factor in borrower costs. “Every little bit will help push mortgage yields lower,” said Brian Jacobsen, chief economic strategist at Annex Wealth Management. Jefferies added that rates may need to dip into the mid-to-high 5% range from around 6.2% to stir up demand. (Reuters)
A weaker jobs report added fuel and kept bets on steady Fed rates in play. U.S. payrolls increased by 50,000 in December, with the unemployment rate slipping to 4.4%, though construction jobs declined, according to the Labor Department. “Hiring is still stuck in stall speed,” said Olu Sonola, head of U.S. economic research at Fitch Ratings. (Reuters)
Peers followed suit. Vulcan Materials climbed 4.2% to $311.62, while Martin Marietta hit a peak of $671.33 on Friday before pulling back, according to market data.
The iShares U.S. Basic Materials ETF climbed 1.3% to $164.94. According to BlackRock, the fund follows an index of U.S.-listed firms in basic materials, covering metals, chemicals, and forestry product producers. (Blackrock)
Martin Marietta’s next key event is its earnings report, tentatively set for Feb. 11 according to Nasdaq’s calendar, though the company hasn’t officially confirmed the date. Investors will be watching closely for updates on pricing, volumes, and any insights into highway and residential construction activity. (Nasdaq)
Technicians are eyeing $665—the stock’s previous high from October—after Friday’s close climbed above that level. Support is holding near $640, close to Friday’s low and Thursday’s close.
The rate trade could shift quickly. If Treasury yields climb again or a mortgage program doesn’t reach borrowers as expected, the housing rebound would weaken, dragging down building materials stocks.
Coming up fast: the U.S. Consumer Price Index for December, set for release Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 8:30 a.m. ET. A stronger-than-expected reading could send rates climbing again. A weaker result would likely extend the mortgage market’s current momentum. (Bls)
