Fannie Mae CEO defends mortgage giant's role - 2004-02-06
The chief executive of Fannie Mae, the nation's No. 1 source of mortgage finance, on Friday defended his company's role in U.S. housing markets, declaring Fannie Mae decreases mortgage costs for home buyers, diversifies risks in the market and promotes competition.

Fannie Mae Chairman and CEO Franklin Raines' comments come as Congress considers tightening oversight of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the 12 federal home loan banks after an accounting scandal at Freddie Mac rattled investors and policymakers.
Read the full story at Reuters

US mortgage-backeds stronger after Jan jobs data - 2004-02-06
U.S. mortgage-backed securities prices were flat to higher on Friday in line with gains in U.S. Treasuries following data showing tepid growth in U.S. employment.

The U.S. economy created 112,000 new jobs in January, short of expectations of a 150,000 increase in payrolls. The report eroded the dollar against the euro and Treasuries rose, sending U.S. interest rates lower.
Read the full story at Forbes