07:48 FNM and FRE plunge in pre-market trading, oil sets new high, equity futures sink
FNM (-27%) and FRE (-32%) are plunging in pre-mkt trading, leading to weakness in equity futures (Dow futures -97 pts, SPX futures -14). There are reports out this morning suggesting the govt is considering a plan to have the govt take over one or both of Fannie Mae (FNM) and Freddie Mac (FRE) and place them in a conservatorship if their problems worsen. Under a conservatorship, the shares of Fannie and Freddie would be worth little or nothing, and any losses on mortgages they own or guarantee would be paid by taxpayers... Oil also hit a new all time high of 145.98 this morning, which isn't helping equity futures either... This negative news is taking center stage despite a positive earnings report out of GE.