Wall Street ended sharply lower on Thursday, with the Nasdaq dragged to its ‍lowest since November by losses in Microsoft, Amazon and other tech heavyweights after Alphabet said it could double capital spending on AI in the race to dominate the ​emerging technology.

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he will not involve himself in the ongoing battle between Netflix and Paramount Skydance over the proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, reversing his earlier statements suggesting he might weigh in.

“I haven’t been involved,” Trump told NBC News. “I must say, I guess I’m considered to be a very strong president. I’ve been called by both sides. It’s the two sides, but I’ve decided I shouldn’t be involved. The Justice Department will handle it.”

According to Reuters, the conflict centers on Netflix’s $82.7 billion bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, including its film studios, HBO, and the HBO Max streaming service.

Paramount Skydance is pursuing a competing, hostile offer, citing a potentially smoother regulatory path.

The rivalry escalated after Warner Bros. repeatedly rejected Paramount’s bids, leaving the Ellison-run company, led by David Ellison—the son of Oracle co-founder and Trump ally Larry Ellison—to push harder for control.

Trump acknowledged the competition in his interview, noting the divide between the bidders.

“There’s a theory that one of the companies is too big and it shouldn’t be allowed to do it, and the other company is saying something else,” he said. “They’re beating the hell out of each other—and there’ll be a winner.”

Donald Trump Steps Back From Netflix-Warner Merger

Last December, Trump had signaled he would weigh in on whether the Netflix-Warner deal should proceed, citing concerns about market concentration.

“They have a very big market share. When they have Warner Bros., that share goes up a lot,” he said at the time. He added that he would consult economists before making a decision.

Netflix’s co-CEO, Ted Sarandos, defended the acquisition before the Senate Judiciary subcommittee on Antitrust, stating the merger would increase competition rather than reduce it.

Lawmakers pressed Netflix on consolidation, labor impacts, and political bias concerns, but Sarandos emphasized that Netflix’s programming serves “all, left, right and center” with no political agenda, NBC News reported.

Trump’s decision to stay out could benefit Netflix, which already has an agreement in place with Warner Bros. Discovery.

The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division, along with regulators abroad including the European Commission, will review the proposed deal. Warner Bros. shareholders could vote on the acquisition as early as March.

Trump has also attracted attention for personal investments related to the deal, having disclosed in January that he purchased up to $2 million in Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery bonds shortly after Netflix’s offer was announced. The White House maintains that there is no conflict of interest.

Originally published on vcpost.com

Mortgage rates ticked higher this week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday.

Freddie Mac’s latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey, released Thursday, showed the average rate on the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage increased to 6.11% from last week’s reading of 6.10%. 

The average rate on a 30-year loan was 6.89% a year ago.

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The average rate on the 15-year mortgage rose to 5.5% this week. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“For the last several weeks, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has remained at its lowest level in years,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “The combination of improving affordability and availability of homes to purchase is a positive sign for buyers and sellers heading into the spring home sales season.”

The average rate on a 15-year fixed mortgage rose to 5.5% from last week’s reading of 5.49%.

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Realtor.com Senior Economist Anthony Smith noted that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate was little changed and ticked marginally higher from the last reading after the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged and President Donald Trump nominated former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh as the next Fed chairman.

“The Freddie Mac 30-year fixed mortgage rate held steady this week at 6.11%, up 1 basis point from the previous reading. While the Fed held rates steady at its January meeting, the nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chair has re-centered attention on the importance of policy credibility and investor expectations,” Smith said.

HOMEBUILDERS REPORTEDLY DEVELOPING ‘TRUMP HOMES’ PROGRAM TO IMPROVE AFFORDABILITY

“Mortgage rates are not directly set by the Fed but instead reflect long-term yields, which respond to shifting economic signals, market sentiment and perceived risks. If investors grow uncertain about the Fed’s intentions or begin to question its independence, long-term yields can rise even during a rate-cutting cycle,” Smith said. “That paradox underscores the risk of mixing political objectives with monetary policy.

The average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 6.11% this week. (Ty Wright/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“For housing, that means aggressive calls for rate cuts may not lower mortgage rates unless market confidence in the Fed’s inflation-fighting credibility remains intact.”

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Smith also said home affordability benefits from low inflation and a stable labor market, coupled with wage growth to boost household purchasing power.

“Whether buying a first home, relocating or moving up, American families need both stable prices and steady income growth. A Fed that is seen as credibly delivering on its dual mandate of price stability and maximum employment is the most durable path to better housing affordability over time,” he added.

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