Bloomberg Businessweek

Fannie, Freddie $30 Billion IPO Being Weighed for This Year

Aug 8, 2025
Wendy Cutler, Vice President at the Asia Society Policy Institute, discusses the potential $30 billion IPO of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, exploring the implications for the housing market. Dan Williams, Bloomberg's Jerusalem reporter, delves into the geopolitical tensions surrounding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, while Mark Mahaney, head of Internet Research at Evercore ISI, analyzes how tech trends are influenced by current political shifts. Together, they provide insights on the intertwining of finance, politics, and global events.
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INSIGHT

Government Weighs Partial Fannie/Freddie IPO

  • The administration plans to sell a minority stake in Fannie and Freddie to take them public.
  • The move would end decades-long conservatorship and reshape the mortgage market.
ANECDOTE

Hedge Funds Bought Distressed GSE Shares

  • After conservatorship the government left shares outstanding and hedge funds bought stock for pennies.
  • Those investors have held positions for years and would profit if shares are sold.
INSIGHT

Privatization Could Raise Mortgage Rates

  • If the government withdraws its implicit guarantee, investors will demand higher mortgage yields.
  • That could raise mortgage rates and remove features like rate locks.
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