Stocks

Despite an overall weak mortgage originations market, Flagstar Bancorp's third-quarter earnings grew 20%, due in large part to its ongoing efforts to diversify operations.

MGIC Investment Corp.'s quarterly earnings were again driven by better-than-expected loss development, and those favorable results should be seen in the other private mortgage insurers' results as well, an industry analyst said.

A notable drop in home equity lending at Bank of America during the third quarter contributed to an overall decline in new single-family loans produced by the company.

Mortgage-related earnings at five banks were lower due to the effect of higher interest rates on loan volume this year, even though late-season homebuyers improved consecutive-quarter origination numbers at three companies.

Washington Mutual successor WMIH Corp. has completed its pending 1-for-12 reverse stock split and its common shares will soon begin trading under the Mr. Cooper name it inherited from Nationstar Mortgage.

D.R. Horton is selling more homes, but its cancellation rates also are higher in the company's primary fiscal year results, a sign that rising mortgage rates may be affecting the market.

The housing market is stalling, and homebuilder stocks are feeling the pain.

Annaly Capital Management will be able to proceed with a delayed exchange offer needed for its acquisition of MTGE Investment Corp. because it has been able to satisfy incomplete deal conditions.

The expiration of Annaly Capital Management's offer to purchase MTGE Investment Corp. was delayed until Sept. 7 so the two real estate investment trusts have more time to satisfy deal conditions.

Ditech Holding Corp. posted a net loss of $40.5 million in its first full operating quarter since emerging from bankruptcy protection in February.

Redwood Trust's net income was down 30% from the prior quarter as mortgage banking activities earnings fell by 60%.

PHH Corp. remained above the adjusted net worth and cash requirements for the company's proposed acquisition by Ocwen to take place, even though it lost $35 million in the second quarter.

National MI deliberately dropped some of its customers in the second quarter, resulting in flat new insurance growth compared with the first quarter and a lower increase versus one year prior.

Arch MI U.S. returned to having the No. 1 market share among private mortgage insurers as it increased its new insurance written 15% over the previous year.

Black Knight reported net earnings of $40 million for the second quarter as adjusted revenue from its servicing and origination software businesses grew by 7% over the previous year.

Most Nationstar stockholders other than a Fortress affiliate are voting to accept a shares rather than cash as a shell company holding Washington Mutual legacy businesses acquires the company.

Ellie Mae saw a 20% year-over-year increase in second-quarter revenue with more loans closed using Encompass, but net income fell nearly 50% on an accounting change and acquisition costs.

Ocwen Financial took nearly a $30 million net loss in the second quarter due to expenses ahead of its PHH Corp. acquisition that outpaced its mortgage servicing profits.

Radian Group's second-quarter earnings beat consensus estimates because of lower loan loss provisions than forecast, along with record new mortgage insurance written.

Homebuilders are sinking — and blame that on disappointing economic data and earnings reports that trailed estimates.