Freddie Mac reported this week that its total mortgage portfolio increased
at an annualized rate of 17.5 percent in September compared to a 27.7 percent
gain in August. The portfolio balance at the end of the period was $2.570
trillion compared to $2.533 trillion the prior month and $2.295 trillion a year
earlier. The growth rate for the year to date is 13.7 percent. Purchases and Issuances totaled $114.386 billion and Sales were ($3.064)
billion. The August numbers were $131.140 billion and ($898) billion, respectively. Single-family refinance loan purchase and guarantee volume was $70.9 billion
in September compared to $87.200 billion
in August, representing a 69 percent share of total single-family mortgage
portfolio purchases and issuances compared to 70 percent the previous month.
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