Trump Could Open Antitrust Investigation of Homebuilders

Summary

Norah Mulinda reports that the Trump administration is exploring an antitrust investigation into major US homebuilders as part of efforts to improve housing affordability. Homebuilder shares and a broad homebuilder index sold off but pared some losses. The segment also highlights a fractured housing market, high home prices, and a 30-year fixed mortgage rate around 6%, along with floated policy ideas like a 50-year mortgage and 'Trump homes'.

• Trump administration officials are exploring an antitrust investigation into US homebuilders.
• The move is tied to efforts to address housing affordability.
• Homebuilder stocks and a homebuilder index fell on the news, though they pared some losses.
• The housing market remains fractured, with home prices described as the most expensive in decades.
• The 30-year fixed mortgage rate is around 6%, still steep for buyers.
• Policy ideas such as a 50-year mortgage and 'Trump homes' have been floated to appeal to voters.