Assets: Securities Held Outright: Mortgage-Backed Securities: Week Average
WMBSEC • Economic Data from Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)
Latest Value
2,122,688.00
Year-over-Year Change
-2.31%
Date Range
6/7/2006 - 7/30/2025
Summary
The WMBSEC tracks the weekly average of mortgage-backed securities (MBS) held by the Federal Reserve, reflecting the central bank's monetary policy and intervention in the housing market. This metric is crucial for understanding the Fed's balance sheet management and its impact on mortgage rates and financial stability.
Analysis & Context
This economic indicator provides valuable insights into current market conditions and economic trends. The data is updated regularly by the Federal Reserve and represents one of the most reliable sources for economic analysis.
Understanding this metric helps economists, policymakers, and investors make informed decisions about economic conditions and future trends. The interactive chart above allows you to explore historical patterns and identify key trends over time.
About This Dataset
Mortgage-backed securities represent pooled mortgage loans that have been converted into tradable financial instruments, with the Federal Reserve holding these assets as part of its monetary policy strategy. Economists closely monitor this trend to assess the Fed's market interventions, liquidity provisions, and broader economic stabilization efforts.
Methodology
The data is collected and calculated by the Federal Reserve, aggregating the total value of mortgage-backed securities held by the central bank on a weekly average basis.
Historical Context
This trend is used in macroeconomic analysis to evaluate monetary policy effectiveness, housing market conditions, and the Federal Reserve's role in supporting financial markets.
Key Facts
- Represents the Federal Reserve's holdings of mortgage-backed securities
- Indicates central bank intervention in financial markets
- Provides insights into monetary policy and housing market conditions
FAQs
Q: What are mortgage-backed securities?
A: Mortgage-backed securities are financial instruments created by pooling mortgage loans and selling them as investable assets. They allow banks to free up capital and provide liquidity to the housing market.
Q: Why does the Federal Reserve hold mortgage-backed securities?
A: The Fed uses MBS purchases to support the housing market, lower mortgage rates, and provide economic stimulus during challenging economic periods.
Q: How often is the WMBSEC data updated?
A: The WMBSEC is typically updated on a weekly basis, reflecting the current holdings of mortgage-backed securities by the Federal Reserve.
Q: How do mortgage-backed securities impact the broader economy?
A: MBS can influence mortgage rates, housing affordability, bank lending practices, and overall financial market liquidity.
Q: What are the limitations of the WMBSEC data?
A: The data represents only the Federal Reserve's holdings and does not capture the entire mortgage-backed securities market or private sector investments.
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Citation
U.S. Federal Reserve, Assets: Securities Held Outright: Mortgage-Backed Securities: Week Average [WMBSEC], retrieved from FRED.
Last Checked: 8/1/2025