Store closures by J.C. Penney, as part of its plan to turn around operations and return to the black, are putting pressure on mall-focused real estate investment trusts to reduce their risk exposure, Moody’s Investors Service said in a new report. J.C. Penney in February announced plans to close 27 stores this year, including 18 full-line department stores and nine home and furniture stores, spanning at least 13 states. Moody’s expects the retailer to announce more closures in ...

Production of new MBS and ABS fell in almost every category during the first quarter of 2019, but several markets showed rebounding volume in March, a new Inside MBS & ABS analysis shows. Preliminary estimates indicate that a total of $310.04 billion of MBS and ABS was issued in the first three months of 2019, a 10.3% decline from the previous three-month period. It marked the softest quarter in new issuance since the April-June cycle ... [Includes three data charts]

With more retailers announcing store closures and bankruptcies, commercial MBS is expected to continue experiencing turbulence this year.

The commercial MBS market is expected to stay healthy this year due to sound underwriting standards and strong investor demand, said an analyst.

Hyundai; AGNC Mortgage Management...

Fannie changes bylaws, Phillips staying put...