There’s a growing bipartisan push on Capitol Hill to strengthen antitrust agencies and weaken the dominance a few big companies have over entire industries in the United States, namely the big tech companies. In June, House lawmakers took their first votes on a series of bills that would, for one thing, make it harder for companies to acquire potential rivals. And that’s a big deal, says Maryland Smith’s Bruno Pellegrino. His research proves that America has an oligopoly problem.

Financial institutions should be accounting for climate change, but risk models currently are insufficient for regulators to mandate climate stress testing or capital requirements, Maryland Smith’s Clifford Rossi said this week, speaking to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions in the U.S. House of Representatives.

What’s ahead for mortgage rates? There will be movement, says Maryland Smith’s Clifford Rossi, the question is: How much? Rossi says he expects the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate to remain low by historical standards, but not as low as it is now. He says the 30-year mortgage rate is likely to rise to 3.5-3.6% by year-end, from the current 2.7%. The 15-year mortgage rate, he says, could also rise to 2.5-2.6%, from the current 2.1%.

SMITH BRAIN TRUST – In the housing market, 2021 is shaping up to be the year of the bidding war. In the United States, prospective home buyers are facing fierce competition for limited inventory, as low mortgage rates and pent-up demand drives a seller’s market. Homes for sale are seeing multiple offers, often above the asking price and above appraised value.

SMITH BRAIN TRUST – With temperatures rising, Maryland Smith’s David Kass is looking to add a little heat to his biannual list of stocks to watch, dropping four of the picks he made in December of 2020 , and adding nine new ones. Of the 16 stocks he recommended in December, 12 have increased in value over the past six months.