FANNIE MAE - FNMA STOCK NEWS

Fannie Mae's Economic and Strategic Research Group predicts challenging housing market conditions for 2025, with existing home sales expected to remain near 30-year lows. The forecast indicates mortgage rates will stay above 6% despite modest declines, with potential volatility creating temporary opportunities for homebuyers.

Key predictions include: deceleration in national home price growth, continued strength in new home construction where possible, and regional variations in market performance, with stronger activity expected in the Sun Belt region compared to supply-constrained areas like the Northeast. Notably, 2025 may see nominal wage growth outpacing home price growth for the first time in over a decade, potentially offering some relief to prospective homebuyers.

The Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index® (HPSI) rose 0.4 points to 75.0 in November, marking a 10.7-point increase year over year. A record number of consumers expect mortgage rates to decline over the next 12 months, with 45% anticipating a decrease. The share of respondents viewing it as a 'good time to buy' increased to 23%, up from 14% last year.

The percentage saying it's a 'good time to sell' remained stable at 64%. Home price expectations showed slight changes, with 38% expecting prices to rise and 25% anticipating decreases. Consumer confidence appears to be improving as people adapt to the current high mortgage rate and home price environment, though these factors remain the primary concerns for potential buyers.

Housing experts have revised their home price growth forecasts upward, now expecting 5.2% growth in 2024, followed by deceleration to 3.8% in 2025 and 3.6% in 2026, according to Fannie Mae's Q4 2024 Home Price Expectations Survey. The panel anticipates sluggish existing home sales in 2025, with mortgage rates expected to moderately decline to 6.3%.

About 80% of respondents predict price growth deceleration, citing high mortgage rates, increasing inventory, and slower wage growth. A minority forecasts faster appreciation, pointing to strong first-time homebuyer demand and tight inventory. Despite expected deceleration, projected price increases through 2029 remain above anticipated economy-wide inflation, suggesting persistent affordability challenges.

Fannie Mae (OTCQB: FNMA) has released its October 2024 Monthly Summary, which provides comprehensive data on the company's mortgage-related activities. The report includes detailed information about their gross mortgage portfolio, mortgage-backed securities, other guarantees, interest rate risk measures, and serious delinquency rates, covering both monthly and year-to-date performance metrics.

Fannie Mae's Economic and Strategic Research Group has revised its housing market forecast, projecting only a 4% increase in existing home sales for 2025, down from the previous 11% forecast. This adjustment reflects recent significant increases in mortgage rates, now expected to end 2025 at 6.3% and remain above 6% through 2026. Despite challenges, new home sales are expected to improve, with builders offering buyer incentives. The group maintains its economic growth outlook near the long-run trend of 2.2%, though core inflation remains sticky. A significant 17% improvement in existing home sales is anticipated for 2026 as affordability conditions improve and pent-up demand materializes.

Fannie Mae (OTCQB: FNMA) has released its 2025 Benchmark Securities® Issuance Calendar, outlining monthly announcement dates for Benchmark Notes® offerings. Each scheduled date will either announce a specific maturity date or indicate no offering. The company also maintains the option for weekly Benchmark Bills® auctions with maturities of one year or less, typically held on Wednesdays between 9:00-9:45 a.m. ET. The size and maturity of these weekly auctions will be announced on the same day. Fannie Mae reserves the right to skip any scheduled issuance and will notify the market accordingly.

Fannie Mae (FNMA) has appointed Scott D. Stowell to its Board of Directors, bringing nearly 40 years of homebuilding industry experience. Stowell is the Founder, CEO, and President of Capital Thirteen , an advisory and real estate investment company. He previously served as CEO of Standard Pacific Homes and Executive Chairman of CalAtlantic Group. The appointment aims to leverage his expertise in addressing housing supply challenges and expanding mortgage credit access. Stowell currently serves on the boards of Toll Brothers, Pacific Mutual Holding Company, and HomeAid America.

Fannie Mae has approved the Mortgage Partnership Finance® (MPF®) Program to sell loans to Native Americans secured by tribal trust lands under its Native American Conventional Lending Initiative (NACLI). The program, administered by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago on behalf of six Federal Home Loan Banks, will enable MPF Program Participating Financial Institutions serving tribal communities to offer conventional loans on tribal trust lands. This initiative expands financing options for Native American borrowers, complementing existing HUD Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program loans. NACLI, established in 1996, was the first program to offer conventional loans on tribal trust lands.

The Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index® (HPSI) rose 0.7 points to 74.6 in October 2024, reaching its highest level since February 2022. The share of consumers who believe it's a good time to buy a home increased to 20%, while those thinking it's a good time to sell declined to 64%. Despite improved overall housing sentiment, consumers remain concerned about high home prices. The survey shows a growing preference for renting over buying, with expectations of modest rent growth in 2025. Notably, 39% of respondents expect home prices to increase, while 39% anticipate mortgage rates to decrease in the next 12 months.