Homebuilder Stocks Slump as High Mortgage Rates Curb April Confidence Indexes

A closely watched housing sentiment index snapped a four-month winning streak on Monday, sending homebuilder stocks lower amid high interest rates on mortgage-resistant loans.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) remained at 51 in April, unchanged from March.

"April's flat reading suggests that the potential for demand growth is there, but homebuyers are hesitant until they can better gauge interest rate moves," Robert Dietz, a National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) premier economist, said in a statement.

Lennar (LEN), Pulte (PHM) and Toll Brothers (TOL) were all down more than 1% at midday, while the SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (XHB) was down 0.4%.

To be sure, any number over 50 indicates that more builders think the situation is good than bad.

Builders' confidence has been muted, underscoring the fact that many potential buyers and sellers have been holding back in the face of high prices and limited housing stock. The news comes after last week's higher-than-expected inflation data prompted investors to trim the number of rate cuts this year to two, below the median of three expected by the Fed at its March meeting.

"As the market has now adapted to the slight uplift in interest rates due to recent inflation data, we continue to expect the Fed to announce a rate cut later this year, with resisted lending rates moderating in the second half of 2024," said Dietz.

Interest rates on mortgage loans rose slightly compared to the beginning of the year, as borrowers were pushed to wait and see when the spring home buying season rolls around. Freddie Mac reported that the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose to 6.881 TP3T, up from 6.821 TP3T the week before.

In April, builders were a little less aggressive in lowering prices, with 22% of builders reporting lower prices, down from 24% in March and 36% in December of last year.

Meanwhile, the percentage using sales incentives declined from 60% in March to 57% in April.

Dani Romero is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Please.On Twitter @daniromerotvConcerned about her. The