'Fast Money' Recap: Housing Party

Dylan Ratigan hosted CNBC's "Fast Money" Monday night. He kicked off the show with a discussion around Fannie Mae(FNM Quote) and Freddie Mae(FRE Quote), which saw their shares plunge after the U.S government took over the companies.

Ratigan asked the traders if they are any more confident to buy stocks today than on any other day this year. Pete Najarian said yes. He advised viewers to consider Morgan Stanley(MS Quote). He also disclosed that he added to his put position in Lehman Brothers(LEH Quote).

Jeff Macke said he likes Wal-Mart(WMT Quote), which broke out technically today. Guy Adami mentioned that Church & Dwight(CHD Quote) and Johnson & Johnson(JNJ Quote) continue to work.

Ratigan switched the conversation to the housing market. Macke said that if he were long any homebuilding stocks right now, he would be taking profits. Adami pointed out that the 30-year mortgage rate went from 6.5% to 6% today. He said he likes Home Depot(HD Quote) for a play on the housing recovery.

Finerman said that if you want to play in the housing sector, buy something like MDC(MDC Quote) or Centex(CTX Quote) that isn't over-leveraged. Najarian explained that the homebuilding stocks have been moving higher because of the high short interest in the sector. Macke and Najarian both agreed that the homebuilders are trading vehicles only.

Ratigan brought up a report out of the Financial Times that said subprime king and hedge fund manager John Paulson told investors he's looking to get more involved with the financial sector. Finerman said she likes the idea, and she said she would take a look at Fannie Mae(FNM Quote) preferred stock, General Electric(GE Quote) and Citigroup(C Quote).