Equifax, while agreeing to the settlement, denied the charges in a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission: “The company’s participation in the consumer settlement does not constitute an admission by the company of any fault or liability, and the company does not admit fault or liability," the vendors said.

The figures are not adjusted for seasonal factors, and FHA/VA default rates often trend lower in the first quarter. FHA home equity conversion mortgages are not included in the data.

Back in early June, the share price of Fannie/Freddie common was rallying, reaching $3.16 (for the former) and $3.07 for the latter. If you had bought in at those prices, today you’d be looking at losses of 23.1% and 24.7%, respectively.