New York, Jan 17, 2026, 07:41 ET — Market closed.
Rocket Companies, Inc. shares ended Friday down 0.9%, finishing at $23.24. That underperformed as smaller mortgage lenders saw gains—LoanDepot surged 19.5%, while UWM Holdings added 5.2%.
Mortgage stocks face a tricky start to next week. Policy news can quickly shift expectations, while mortgage rates add another layer of volatility.
White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett announced the Trump administration’s plan to let investors tap some retirement savings for a home down payment, with more details expected next week. “We’re going to allow people to take money out of their 401(k)s and use that for down payment,” Hassett told Fox Business. He noted officials are still ironing out the specifics, aiming for “a simple” approach that won’t jeopardize retirement security. The World Economic Forum’s annual meeting is set for Jan. 19-23 in Davos, Switzerland. (Reuters)
A separate survey revealed U.S. homebuilder sentiment dipped again in January, hampered by buyer worries over affordability. The NAHB/Wells Fargo index dropped to 37. NAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes pointed to concerns about high home prices and mortgage rates, with down payments proving “particularly challenging.” The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate edged down 10 basis points—to 6.06% this week—marking a more than three-year low, according to the report. (Reuters)
For Rocket, falling rates could revive refinancing and keep purchase pipelines flowing. But upfront costs like down payments and high home prices remain a drag. What really counts is easing that initial cash barrier—not catchy slogans.
Rocket, the parent company of Rocket Mortgage, announced in October that it wrapped up a $14.2 billion acquisition of mortgage servicer Mr. Cooper, folding the two under the Rocket brand. The company now oversees a servicing portfolio covering nearly 10 million homeowners—the collection of loans where it handles monthly payments and manages daily loan operations. (Rocket Companies)
Traders are set to see if next week delivers real action and clear qualifiers, or just another string of trial balloons. Mortgage application numbers and interest rate shifts will inflict their own impact regardless.
U.S. equity markets remain closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, so Rocket’s next trading session won’t open until Tuesday, Jan. 20. (NYSE)
The policy details remain rough drafts, and housing hinges as much on supply as on financing. Simply making down payments easier might boost demand, but without more homes, prices could climb while loan volumes stall.
