Bill Ackman and Michael Burry are urging investors to look past broader market fears and point to a massive, asymmetric opportunity in Fannie Mae (OTC:FNMA) and Freddie Mac (OTC:FMCC).
‘Stupidly Cheap’ Bet
Pershing Square’s Ackman advised investors to “ignore the bears” and mainstream media amid ongoing global conflicts. Predicting a “large peace dividend” following what he termed a “one-sided war,” Ackman highlighted government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as prime investment targets.
“Fannie and Freddie are stupidly cheap,” Ackman wrote on X. “Asymmetry at its best. They could be a 10X and it could happen soon.”
Famed “Big Short” investor Michael Burry quickly amplified the thesis. Sharing Ackman’s post, Burry added, “Cannot emphasize enough how rare this is in this market.” Burry had previously praised Ackman’s economic arguments regarding the two mortgage giants, noting that treating their shareholders fairly is vital to the integrity of the broader financial system.
Fight Against ‘Outright Theft’
The billionaires’ bullishness is tied to a renewed push to end the federal conservatorship of Fannie and Freddie. Ackman recently published a lengthy manifesto accusing the government of “outright theft” through the Obama-era “Net Worth Sweep,” which directed 100% of the companies’ profits to the Treasury.
Arguing that the initial $193 billion bailout has already been overpaid by $25 billion, Ackman called on President Donald Trump to honor the original contractual terms.
Reminding the President of his past criticisms of the sweep, Ackman declared, “Now that you have the time, Mr. President, let’s Stop the Steal!“
Shifting Housing Policies
This high-profile investor pressure aligns with massive shifts in the U.S. housing market orchestrated by the current administration. Recently, President Trump directed Fannie and Freddie to acquire $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities to boost housing affordability amid rising interest-rate volatility.
Concurrently, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) scrapped strict Biden-era roofing insurance mandates, significantly lowering costs for homebuyers.
As government directives in the housing sector accelerate, Ackman and Burry are betting that a highly lucrative exit from conservatorship is finally on the horizon.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Tada Images / Shutterstock.com
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