Homebuilders in the U.S. fell after a report of slowing housing starts and a flurry of analyst warnings signaled that the industry’s slowdown will continue in the coming year.
Rising mortgage rates, along with years of steady price increases, have cut into affordability for buyers, especially in expensive coastal markets where demand is slowing. Homes are also getting costlier to build, and it’s becoming more difficult for companies to pass the increase on to customers.
