Fannie, Freddie shares mimic meme-stock mania with wild swings

Core Insights - Retail traders have significantly driven the share prices of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which have increased over 500% since Donald Trump's election, but are now experiencing volatility as investors flee amid broader market instability [1][5]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - Recent selloffs in equity markets and losses in cryptocurrency have impacted the share prices of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, with a notable drop of over 10% attributed to forced liquidations in the crypto market [2][3]. - Bill Ackman highlighted that the exposure of Fannie and Freddie to crypto is not on their balance sheets but rather through their shareholder bases, suggesting that leveraged crypto investors are selling other assets to cover margin calls [3][4]. Group 2: Investment Sentiment - The shares of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have surged six-fold since before Trump's election, driven by expectations that the privatization process will be overseen by Bill Pulte, although specific details and timing remain unclear [5]. - The volatility of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac shares is reminiscent of the meme-stock phenomenon, with significant price swings occurring due to limited liquidity and trading restrictions since their delisting from the New York Stock Exchange in 2010 [6][7]. Group 3: Future Outlook - Ackman has been a long-time advocate for investing in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, asserting that their stocks are undervalued and will rise once the government reduces its stakes, although he cautioned that the process will take considerable time [8].