January's housing starts data revealed a significant decline, with a 14.8% drop overall and a 35.8% fall in multifamily dwellings, attributed partly to severe weather in the Midwest. Despite this, the long-term trend for single-family home starts remains positive. High interest rates have led to increased mortgage rates, affecting home sales and purchases. This has negatively impacted housebuilders' stock performance, with D.R. Horton, Lennar, Pulte Group, and Toll Brothers seeing varied changes in their stock prices. Home Depot's stock, however, is up 5% in 2024, despite potential challenges from a slowing housing market.