Mortgage Rates Overview - The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage increased to 6.26% from 6.24% last week, compared to 6.84% a year ago, marking the third consecutive week of rising rates [1][2] - The average rate on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages also rose to 5.54% from 5.49% last week, down from 6.02% a year ago [2] Impact on Housing Market - Rising mortgage rates have reduced homebuyers' purchasing power, with the 30-year mortgage rate remaining above 6% since September 2022, which has contributed to stagnant sales of previously occupied U.S. homes at around a 4-million annual pace [2][3] - Despite sluggish sales, there was a boost in activity this fall as mortgage rates eased, with sales accelerating to their fastest pace since February [3] Influencing Factors - Mortgage rates are influenced by the Federal Reserve's interest rate policies and bond market expectations regarding the economy and inflation, typically following the trajectory of the 10-year Treasury yield [4] - The 10-year Treasury yield was at 4.10%, slightly down from the previous week but up from around 3.95% on October 22 [4] Federal Reserve Actions - Mortgage rates began to decline this summer following the Federal Reserve's decision to cut its main interest rate in September amid signs of a slowing labor market [5] - The Fed lowered its key interest rate again last month, although further cuts are not guaranteed according to Fed Chair Jerome Powell [5] Market Expectations - Wall Street traders have reduced expectations for a Fed rate cut at the next meeting in December to approximately 44%, down from nearly 70% a couple of weeks ago [6] - The central bank does not directly set mortgage rates, and cuts in short-term rates do not necessarily lead to declines in home loan rates [6]

Continue Reading Jaime Joyce, Chief Operations and Strategy Officer, Guaranteed Rate Affinity Joyce, a two-decade mortgage industry veteran, began her career as a processor in 2002 and has steadily advanced through roles across underwriting and operations. She most recently served as Executive Vice President of Operations, where she built a strong reputation for strengthening cross-functional collaboration, eliminating silos, and empowering front-line employees to improve business performance. In her previo ...

Billionaire investor Bill Ackman, founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, is advising the Donald Trump administration against rushing initial public offerings (IPOs) for mortgage giants Fannie Mae (OTCQB:FNMA) and Freddie Mac (OTCQB:FMCC) .Ackman’s A Warning Against Rushing IPOsInstead, Ackman unveiled a three-step reform plan on Fox Business‘ “Mornings with Maria” that he claims would secure “hundreds of billions of dollars in value” for taxpayers.“Rushing to IPO is a mistake,” Ackman stated ...

: Billionaire investor Bill Ackman unveiled a three-part plan on Tuesday aimed at reshaping Ackman pointed out that the proposal could result in taxpayers owning a 79.9% stake in the companies, potentially worth more than $300 billion, as per a Fox Business report.How Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Support the US Housing SystemFannie Mae and This process helps keep mortgage credit flowing and interest rates relatively stable. Currently, the two companies back or own roughly half of all US residential mortgage ...

Core Viewpoint - The Trump administration is considering IPOs for mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but billionaire investor Bill Ackman argues that now is not the right time for the Treasury to sell its stakes in these firms [1][2][3]. Group 1: Proposed Strategy for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac - Ackman suggests that the Treasury should cancel the government's senior preferred shares and exercise warrants to buy up to 79.9% of the common stock, relisting both companies on the New York Stock Exchange, which could generate approximately $300 billion for taxpayers [3][9]. - He believes that rushing into an IPO is a mistake and that these entities will be worth significantly more over time, emphasizing the need for a slow and steady approach to privatization [5][11]. - Ackman highlights the importance of resetting capital levels, establishing the right management teams, and ensuring that shareholders are excited about the companies before proceeding with an IPO [8][18]. Group 2: Financial Performance and Market Potential - Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have paid back $301 billion to the government after receiving $191 billion in loans, resulting in a return of nearly 12%, exceeding the expected 10% [9][24]. - Ackman projects that the stocks could trade in the $40 range, leading to a market cap approaching $400 billion, which would represent significant value creation [10][11]. - He argues that the government should retain its 79.9% stake while allowing the companies to optimize their operations, particularly in the context of advancements in AI that could enhance efficiency and profitability [15][16]. Group 3: Regulatory and Market Considerations - Ackman calls for revised capital rules to allow the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) to earn adequate returns, noting that current capital requirements are excessively high [30][32]. - He emphasizes that raising guarantee fees to meet capital requirements would ultimately increase mortgage interest rates for borrowers, which is not desirable [33][34]. - By listing the companies on an exchange while they remain in conservatorship, Ackman believes it would create transparency and potentially lower mortgage spreads, benefiting the overall mortgage market [35][36].

US mortgage activity declined last week as home-financing costs continued to tick higher https://t.co/siNkhOlqT6 ...

Core Viewpoint - Proposals for an initial public offering (IPO) of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are currently deemed neither feasible nor desirable, according to Bill Ackman, founder of Pershing Square Capital Management [2][6]. Group 1: Current Status and Challenges - The U.S. government has been controlling Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for 17 years and is exploring various structures for a potential IPO, including the creation of a single company for both entities, but the complexity of such a deal poses significant hurdles [1][8]. - Both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are already listed in the over-the-counter market, which complicates the transition to a public offering [2][4]. Group 2: Future Considerations - The Trump administration is considering an IPO as a way to end the conservatorship that began in 2008, with potential evaluations for such a move possibly occurring as soon as the end of 2025 [3][9]. - Ackman suggests that instead of an IPO, the companies could convert their current over-the-counter listings to the New York Stock Exchange, a process he estimates could take a few weeks [4]. Group 3: Valuation and Government Stakes - Ackman estimates that the combined valuations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could approach $400 billion, with the government's stakes potentially worth around $300 billion [5]. Group 4: Proposed Steps for Listing - Ackman has proposed several steps to facilitate a listing, including recognizing previous payments as repayment of senior preferred stock and allowing the U.S. Treasury to exercise warrants to achieve a 79.9% common stock stake [7]. - Lowering the current capital requirement of 4.5% of all guarantees is also suggested as a necessary step [7]. Group 5: Legislative and Structural Hurdles - Merging Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into a single entity for a listing is not feasible without congressional approval, according to sources [8][11]. - Creating a holding company for selling stakes is complicated by government restrictions, and using an existing joint venture as a listing vehicle would involve transferring assets, which adds to the complexity [11].

Core Viewpoint - Proposals to sell a portion of U.S. mortgage agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac through an initial public offering (IPO) are not seen as viable by Bill Ackman, founder of Pershing Square Capital Management [1] Group 1: Company Insights - Bill Ackman expresses skepticism regarding the feasibility of an IPO for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, indicating potential challenges in the execution of such a sale [1]

Core Viewpoint - KBRA has assigned preliminary ratings to eight classes of mortgage-backed certificates from Angel Oak Mortgage Trust 2025-12, which is a $322.0 million non-prime RMBS transaction [1] Summary by Relevant Categories Transaction Overview - The transaction involves a total of $322.0 million in mortgage-backed certificates [1] - It consists of 609 residential mortgages as the underlying collateral [1] Loan Characteristics - A significant concentration of the loans is underwritten using alternative income documentation [1] - 66.1% of the loans are classified as non-qualified mortgages (Non-QM) [1] - 33.9% of the loans are exempt from the Ability-to-Repay rule [1]

Core Viewpoint - PHH Mortgage Corporation has entered into a strategic partnership with Finance of America Reverse to reposition its role in the reverse mortgage market, transitioning to a subservicer and asset manager while selling reverse mortgage servicing rights for estimated net proceeds of $100 to $110 million [1][5]. Group 1: Transaction Details - PHH will sell reverse mortgage servicing rights (MSRs) for approximately 40,000 Ginnie Mae home equity conversion mortgage (HECM) loans, with an unpaid principal balance of $9.6 billion as of September 30, 2025 [3]. - The transaction includes a three-year subservicing agreement where PHH will act as the subservicer for the sold reverse MSRs [3]. - FAR will acquire PHH's pipeline of reverse mortgage loans and is expected to take on some of PHH's US-based reverse originations employees [4]. Group 2: Financial Implications - The estimated net proceeds from the transaction are projected to be between $100 million and $110 million, subject to adjustments based on asset balances at closing [5]. - The transaction is anticipated to close in the first quarter of 2026, pending regulatory approval and customary closing conditions [5]. - The company plans to use the net proceeds to support growth, reduce debt, and explore a share repurchase program, with expectations that the transaction will be accretive to earnings over the term of the subservicing agreement [6]. Group 3: Strategic Benefits - The partnership with FAR establishes a significant subservicing relationship, simplifying the company's balance sheet by eliminating reverse HECM assets and HMBS liabilities [8]. - This strategic move allows the company to focus on markets and products with greater growth potential, including forward originations and the recently launched FlexIQ product suite [8]. - The transaction is expected to strengthen financial metrics such as liquidity and capital ratio [8].