Federal National Mortgage Association Bonds A Comprehensive Analysis for Investors

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The Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), also known as Fannie Mae, is a government-sponsored enterprise that plays a crucial role in the US mortgage market.

Fannie Mae was created in 1938 to improve the availability of mortgage financing for homeowners. Its primary function is to purchase and securitize mortgages from lenders, allowing them to free up capital for new loans.

Fannie Mae's bonds are backed by the creditworthiness of the mortgages it holds, making them a relatively low-risk investment. However, like any bond, they come with a fixed interest rate and maturity date.

Investors who buy Fannie Mae bonds can expect to earn a steady income stream, as the bonds pay interest semi-annually.

Investment Considerations

Fannie Mae MBS offers investors high-quality assets with attractive yields to fit various portfolio needs or investment strategies.

Investors should exercise care to fully understand the value of any mortgage-backed investment and diligently review the applicable disclosure documents.

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Principal may be returned to bondholders sooner than expected if mortgage holders prepay their loans, forcing bondholders to reinvest the returned principal at a lower interest rate.

GNMAs generally carry minimal credit risk because they are backed by the U.S. government, but all bonds carry the credit risk that the issuer will default or be unable to make timely payments of interest and principal.

Risks

Risks are an inherent part of investing, and it's essential to understand them before making a decision.

GNMA prices can rise or fall depending on interest rates, which can cause market prices to fluctuate. If interest rates rise, the market price of outstanding GNMA bonds generally will decline.

Changes in interest rates have an additional impact on MBS because they affect mortgage prepayment rates. This can result in principal being returned to bondholders sooner than expected.

If mortgage holders prepay their loans, bondholders may have to reinvest the returned principal at a lower interest rate. This can be a disadvantage, especially if interest rates are low.

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On the other hand, if mortgage holders delay prepaying their loans, bondholders may miss an opportunity to reinvest the returned principal at a higher interest rate. This can be a missed opportunity.

All bonds carry some level of credit risk, which is the risk that the issuer will default or be unable to make timely payments of interest and principal. However, GNMAs generally carry minimal credit risk because they are backed by the U.S. government.

GNMAs sold prior to maturity may be subject to substantial gain or loss, and the secondary market may also be limited. This means that investors may not be able to easily sell their bonds if they need to.

Why Invest in Fannie Mae?

Investing in Fannie Mae can provide high-quality assets with attractive yields to fit various portfolio needs or investment strategies.

Investors should be aware that mortgage-backed investments, like Fannie Mae, come with potential risks that must be carefully considered.

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Fannie Mae MBS offers investors a chance to diversify their portfolios and potentially earn attractive yields.

Investors should exercise care and diligence when reviewing applicable disclosure documents to fully understand the value of any mortgage-backed investment.

It's a good idea to work with a trusted investment advisor to identify the potential risks versus rewards of investing in MBS.

Tax and Financial Implications

The interest income on GNMAs is generally subject to federal and state taxes.

Investors should be aware that GNMA securities may subject them to capital gains taxes when sold or redeemed, making it a good idea to consult a tax professional for additional information.

Fees

Fees can add up quickly, especially when it comes to investing in securities like GNMA. Vanguard Brokerage charges a commission for GNMA transactions in the primary and secondary markets.

This means you'll need to factor in these costs when making investment decisions.

Taxability

Taxability is a crucial aspect to consider when investing in GNMA securities. The interest income on GNMAs generally is subject to federal and state taxes.

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Tax implications can be complex, so it's essential to understand how taxes affect your investments. Investors may be subject to capital gains taxes when selling or redeeming GNMA securities.

This can result in a significant tax burden, so it's vital to factor this into your investment strategy. Investors should consult a tax professional for additional information on how to navigate these tax implications.

Dividends to Government

Fannie Mae paid a dividend of $59.4 billion to the United States Treasury in May 2013. This amount is equivalent to $76,620,000,000 in 2023.

Fannie Mae received $116 billion from the Treasury. This amount is significant and highlights the financial support provided to the company.

By 2014, Fannie Mae's financial results allowed it to pay $20.6 billion in dividends to the Treasury. This payment brought the cumulative total of dividends paid to $134.5 billion through December 31, 2014.

Here are some key figures related to Fannie Mae's dividend payments to the Treasury:

  • $134 billion paid to Treasury (equivalent to $170,500,000,000 in 2023)
  • $116 billion received from Treasury
  • $20.6 billion paid to Treasury in 2014

Fannie Mae's dividend payments to the Treasury continued to grow, with a total of $136.4 billion in payments expected by March 31, 2015.

Investment Benefits and Mechanism

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Fannie Mae provides banks and other financial institutions with fresh money to make new loans by purchasing mortgages, giving the United States housing and credit markets flexibility and liquidity.

By purchasing mortgages, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac enable the secondary market for nonconforming loans, which includes jumbo loans that are larger than the maximum they will purchase.

The secondary market for nonconforming loans is also fueled by Fannie Mae's Custom DU program, which allows lenders to set custom underwriting rules for nonconforming loans.

Business Mechanism

Fannie Mae buys mortgages from approved sellers and packages them into mortgage-backed securities (MBS) that it sells to investors, guaranteeing timely payments.

By purchasing these mortgages, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac provide banks with fresh money to make new loans, giving the US housing and credit markets flexibility and liquidity.

Fannie Mae issues guarantees for its MBS by setting guidelines for the loans it accepts, known as "conforming" loans, which can be determined using its automated underwriting system, Desktop Underwriter (DU).

Lenders can use Custom DU to set custom underwriting rules for nonconforming loans, including jumbo loans, which are larger than the maximum Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will purchase.

In 2008, Fannie Mae allowed up to 10% of its TBA-eligible mortgage-backed securities to include jumbo loans.

Conforming Loans

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Conforming loans are a crucial aspect of the mortgage industry in the United States. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two government-sponsored enterprises, have a limit on the maximum sized loan they will guarantee, known as the conforming loan limit.

The conforming loan limit is set annually by the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) based on the October to October changes in mean home price. This limit is 50 percent higher in Alaska and Hawaii.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac only buy loans that are conforming to repackage into the secondary market, which lowers the demand for non-conforming loans. This makes non-conforming loans harder to sell and more expensive for borrowers.

In 2008, non-conforming loans were priced nearly 1% to 1.5% higher than conforming loans due to the low demand for bonds not guaranteed by GSEs.

Regulatory and Accounting Issues

The Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) bonds are subject to various regulatory and accounting issues.

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FNMA bonds are considered government-sponsored enterprises, which means they are regulated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).

The FHFA oversees the FNMA's operations, including its financial reporting and accounting practices.

FNMA bonds are also subject to the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) regulations, which require regular financial reporting and disclosure.

The SEC's regulations also govern the accounting treatment of FNMA bonds, including the use of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

FNMA bonds are exempt from state and local taxes, but not from federal taxes.

The tax-exempt status of FNMA bonds is a key consideration for investors, who must weigh the potential benefits against the risks of investing in these bonds.

Market Analysis and Recommendations

Analysts have been weighing in on Federal National Mortgage Association, and their recommendations are worth noting. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded the company to Market Perform from Underperform, raising their price target to $1.25 from $1.

JP Morgan Chase has been involved in a significant case related to mortgage-backed securities, with the U.S. top court rejecting an appeal by Nomura and RBS. This ruling has implications for the market, but let's take a closer look at the analysts' recommendations.

Here are some key analyst recommendations and their associated dates:

Analysts' Recommendations

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Analysts' Recommendations are a crucial aspect of market analysis, as they provide valuable insights into a company's potential performance. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded Federal National Mortgage to Market Perform from Underperform, raising the price target to $1.25 from $1.

This upgrade suggests that analysts believe Federal National Mortgage has a higher potential for growth, which could lead to increased investor interest.

On the other hand, the U.S. top court rejected Nomura and RBS's appeal in a mortgage-backed securities case, as reported on June 25, 2018.

The rejection of this appeal means that the original award of $839 million to the plaintiffs will stand.

Here's a summary of the analysts' recommendations mentioned in this section:

Retail & Mortgage Banking

The retail and mortgage banking sector is a dynamic space, with companies like Federal National Mortgage Association experiencing a significant 5-day change of +1.79%. This is a notable increase, especially when compared to other companies in the sector.

Credit: youtube.com, MARKET UPDATE :: Rates Rising, Difference Between Retail Lenders & Mortgage Brokers (9-27-21)

The data shows that the industry as a whole is performing well, with a 1-year change of +59.19% and a 3-year change of +87.79%. These numbers indicate a steady growth trend.

However, not all companies are faring equally well. For instance, Lic Housing Finance Limited is experiencing a 5-day change of -3.24%, which is a decline from its previous performance.

The weighted average of the sector is a more nuanced picture, with a 5-day change of -0.56%. This suggests that while some companies are doing well, others are experiencing losses.

Here is a breakdown of the top 5 companies in the sector by market capitalization:

The market capitalization of these companies gives us an idea of their relative size and influence in the sector.

Liquidity and Other Factors

Liquidity for Federal National Mortgage Association bonds can vary depending on a bond's features, lot size, and other market conditions.

You may be able to sell your FNMAs prior to maturity through Vanguard Brokerage's access to a secondary over-the-counter market.

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The secondary market generally provides liquidity for FNMAs, but it may be difficult to sell bonds that have experienced significant principal pay-down.

It's essential to consider these factors when investing in FNMAs, as they can impact your ability to sell your bonds when needed.

Vanguard Brokerage Services does not make a market in FNMAs, so you'll need to rely on the secondary market for liquidity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you still buy mortgage bonds?

Yes, mortgage bonds still exist and are an important part of the financial markets. However, their reputation was impacted by the 2008 financial crisis, and it's worth understanding the current landscape before investing.

Virgil Wuckert

Senior Writer

Virgil Wuckert is a seasoned writer with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a background in insurance and construction, he brings a unique perspective to his writing, tackling complex topics with clarity and precision. His articles have covered a range of categories, including insurance adjuster and roof damage assessment, where he has demonstrated his ability to break down complex concepts into accessible language.

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