Posted on 08/22/2008 8:06:17 PM PDT by bruinbirdman
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett declared that the "game is over" for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as shares in the American mortgage finance houses came under renewed pressure.
Mr Buffett, the celebrated "Sage of Omaha," believes that shareholders in the two mortgage companies look set to be wiped out as the pair attempt to raise more capital.
"They're looking for help. And the scale of help is such that I don't think it can come from the private sector," he said during an interview on business television channel CNBC.
While admitting the two government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) - which together own or control about $5 trillion of American mortgages - "are too big to fail", shareholders "could lose a lot of money."
He went on to claim that the pair "don't have any net worth" and told market-watchers to expect some form of government action soon.
Fannie shares fell 35 cents to $4.50 while Freddie shed 51 cents to $2.65.
The two companies need to refinance $225bn (£121bn) of debt by the end of September, a prospect which looks expensive after both were forced to offer record coupons on relatively small bond issues earlier this week.
Pressure continues to grow for a government bail-out, made possible by Congress last month granting the US Treasury special powers to inject equity and/or debt into either company if needed.
A few insurers holding equity in US mortgage giants could see big losses if a Government takeover wipes out the value of the agencies' common and preferred shares.
"There are a handful (of insurers) that have pretty decent exposure [to Fannie and Freddie equity]," said Ed Keane, a senior financial analyst with New Jersey-based ratings agency AM Best.
However, figures compiled by AM Best also show that US insurers are more heavily
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Freddie Mac
*sigh* Hang on, lemme get my wallet...sheesh.
This woman has cost the United States of America more money and lives than any other woman in history.
Who will she kill and bankrpt next?
Last word had it she is on the board of Schlumberger.
yitbos
Does anyone here have information about the multitude of *bonds* issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?
They issue so many, how can you get a handle on how their bonds are doing as a group?
Suppose Gorelick's presence there explains the current problems with oil futures.
This woman is a regular Typhoid Mary.
I’d like to know what that sleaze Gorelick did to attain such power. There’s a reason McCain, even with his own bouts with corruption, called DC the City of Satan.
So, if I buy now, it goes from your wallet into mine?
Didn’t Jaimie Gorelick and many other FOBs do quite well administering these GSE?
Mark
left overs if the fdr administration,
fannie mae and freddie mac executives should be fired
like other corporations have done.
Just a thought. I’m not usually one who believes in this sort of thing, but...
Is it possible that socialists in government had purposely set in motion those policies which would have to fail, so that the government could take over the mortgage market in the US? By doing that, the federal government could control the sale of the vast majority of new housing in the US, and could exert additional control over the buyers...
I’m not generally into conspiracies, but think about it... The policies put in place weren’t just bound to fail, but would ensure the failure of the mortgage market. The people who proposed and then implemented those policies HAD TO KNOW what was going to happen. And then the US government can just swoop in and become the “only game in town.”
Mark
Maybe...if there’s anything left after all is said and done. I can’t guarantee anything.
Except that I’ll be asked to pay once again.
That scumbag Buffett is a Democrat and he is trying to cause enormous economic turbulence before the election.
I know Freepers hate Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but they are only things keeping the housing market from a complete depression. Buffett wants chaos and Freepers are cheering him on.
I hate Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but we should take away their charter in 2-3 years AFTER the crisis is over. Buffett is pulling a Soros and trying to bring us Communism.
Wow. You don’t see too many articles like that in the MSM. I’ll have to start checking the Village Voice and the National Enquirer more often.
Ummm Hey Mr. Butthead...errr... Buffett. Wake up. I believe the Federal Government recently approved massive taxpayer money to go to shore up Freddie and Fannie.
Apparently Fannie and Freddie under control of the Democrats was like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys!
Actually, she was recommended by Tom Daschle. Now, what do you suppose she was doing up in South Dakota?
yitbos
Don’t confuse stupidity with conspiracy. If enough stupid people believe in something, it starts to look like someone must have organized it. Individually, those people can’t figure out if they should tie their laces before or after they put their shoes on. If many of them tie their laces before they put on their shoes, it looks like a conspiracy because normal people just couldn’t figure out how so many people could do that against common sense.
Maybe not that far. The socialists are perfectly happy for government to provide everything for everyone.
Conservatives have always said most Republicans are homeowners (pride, taxes, steady job, etc.). Dems are renters (densly populated areas).
Republicans pushed home ownership (mortgage deductions).
Then the Dems did start to push homeownership for the unworthy (Section 8, redlining legislation, etc). And then they got hold of Fannie Mae with full control of three branches of government to help section 8 people qualify for mortgages. The rest is history.
I simplify.
yitbos
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