A panel of mortgage industry veterans concluded that the best scenario MBS investors can hope for in the upcoming election is that neither side wins a clean sweep of the presidency and Congress.

An expansion of publicly held agency MBS means that primary dealers’ MBS holdings have also grown, filling a void left by the Fed.

It’s getting difficult to project mortgage rates in the near term, putting pressure on agency MBS investors. Still, analysts at BofA Global Research maintain an overweight for holdings of agency MBS.

Hodgepodge of non-agency MBS; new commercial MBS tied to Rockefeller Center; limit-order option for lenders looking to sell into TBA MBS; Moody’s downgrades MBS issued by IndyMac in 1997.

Bank holding companies reported a 13% increase in the volume of MBS and ABS held in their trading accounts during the second quarter. Most of the increase was in agency single-family MBS. (Includes two data tables.)

In the short term, there could be some volatility in the agency MBS market as investors adjust to the Fed’s moves. Longer term, volatility is expected to recede, helping investors in agency MBS.

SFA restarted its RMBS Symposium event this week, with an agenda driven by issues under consideration at committees and task forces within the association.

The outlook for Fed action is largely positive for MBS investors, with interest rate volatility expected to decline. Still, rate cuts will introduce a risk that has been limited for years: prepayments.

AGNC Investment gained some ground on REIT-leader Annaly Capital Management in the agency MBS sector. Industry holdings of non-agency MBS and whole loans fell in the second quarter. (Includes two data tables.)

Common Securitization Solutions looks to use its data and risk management skills to expand the services it provides the GSEs.