Stock Market Today, Jan. 9: Rocket Companies Surges After Trump Floats $200 Billion Mortgage Bond Purchase Plan

Rocket Companies (NYSE:RKT), a mortgage and real estate-focused fintech platform, closed Friday’s session at $23.29, up 9.65%. Rocket Companies IPO'd in 2020 and has grown 8% since going public. Trading volume reached 69.9 million shares, about 111% above its three-month average of 33.4 million shares.

Friday’s trading saw housing-sensitive names react to President Donald Trump’s floated $200 billion mortgage-bond purchase plan, and investors are watching how lower borrowing costs could affect mortgage originations.

How the markets moved today

The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX:^GSPC) rose 0.65% to 6,966, while the Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX:^IXIC) gained 0.81% to close at 23,671. Within mortgage finance industry peers, PennyMac Financial Services (NYSE:PFSI) climbed 6.41% and Manhattan Bridge Capital (NASDAQ:LOAN) edged up 0.66%, reflecting broader optimism around potential policy support for housing credit.

What this means for investors

Rocket Companies hit a new 52-week high following President Trump's proposed mortgage-bond purchase, meant to combat high home prices. Investors piling into the stock is an indication that the move could loosen the tight housing market and potentially lead to lower mortgage rates. Today's stock movement was also impacted by , with call contracts seeing volume 53% above normal.

Earlier this week, both Barclays set a $22 price target with an equal weight rating and Jefferies reiterated its buy rating at a $25 target. These are data points to explain some of the price movements, but aren't necessarily meant to be actionable for individual investors.

Jeff Santoro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Rocket Companies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.