Here's How Federal Home Loan Mortgage (Freddie Mac) Beats the Market From Here
The Motley Fool·2026-02-14 09:05

Core Viewpoint - Freddie Mac's future performance is heavily influenced by external factors, particularly its potential exit from government conservatorship, despite being a profitable entity with a strong business model [1][7]. Group 1: Background and History - Freddie Mac, along with Fannie Mae, was placed under government conservatorship during the Great Recession to stabilize the mortgage market by purchasing mortgages and converting them into securities [2]. - The government injected hundreds of billions of dollars into Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae during the financial crisis due to their exposure to subprime mortgages, resulting in the U.S. Treasury acquiring nearly 80% of their common shares [4]. Group 2: Financial Performance and Market Position - Freddie Mac operates as a monopoly in the secondary mortgage market, which contributes to its strong business performance, but its stock performance is contingent on exiting conservatorship [7]. - The company has a market capitalization of $4.5 billion, with a current trading price range between $6.72 and $7.19, and a gross margin of 100% [6][7]. Group 3: Regulatory Developments - Since 2016, there has been a push for Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to exit conservatorship, gaining momentum after the net worth sweep agreement ended in 2019, allowing them to retain profits for capital building [9]. - The two GSEs have rapidly built capital but face challenges related to government warrants and senior preferred stock dilution [10]. Group 4: Market Implications and Future Outlook - Concerns exist that mortgage rates may rise if Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae exit conservatorship, as the government guarantee would be reduced; however, their importance in the mortgage market suggests they are too critical to fail [11]. - If the Trump administration successfully navigates the exit from conservatorship and conducts initial public offerings, the stocks of both companies could significantly increase in value [12]. Group 5: Investment Considerations - Freddie Mac is considered a risky investment due to the uncertainties surrounding its exit from conservatorship and potential dilution risks from government holdings [13]. - Despite the risks, there is potential for substantial returns, making Freddie Mac a candidate for small investments, with junior preferred shares offering less dilution risk but also lower upside potential [14].