Beazer ends mortgage origination

Atlanta-based homebuilder Beazer Homes is getting out of giving out mortgages. Instead the company will offer its buyers mortgage services through Countrywide Financial Corp. Beazer also says it will stop homebuilding operations in several states. Beazer has been beset by turmoil in the housing industry that has caused its number of home closings to plunge. It cut 650 jobs, or 25 percent of its work force, in October, and suspended its quarterly dividend.

Beazer closes at record low

In Georgia business news … shares of Beazer Homes fell sharply today in a sign that subprime lending worries are expanding into other parts of the market. Some are concerned builders won’t be able to pay their bills and housing prices will continue to fall. The Atlanta-based company's shares closed at a record low. The stocks of other homebuilders also were down, but not as much.