Assets: Securities Held Outright: Mortgage-Backed Securities: Wednesday Level
WSHOMCB • Economic Data from Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)
Latest Value
2,120,672.00
Year-over-Year Change
-2.41%
Date Range
6/7/2006 - 7/30/2025
Summary
This economic indicator tracks the total value of mortgage-backed securities (MBS) held by the Federal Reserve on a weekly basis. The trend provides critical insights into monetary policy, housing market conditions, and the Fed's balance sheet management strategy.
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 transformed into tradable financial instruments, typically purchased by the Federal Reserve to support housing markets and manage broader economic conditions. Economists closely monitor this metric as a key indicator of monetary policy implementation and financial market stability.
Methodology
Data is collected and reported weekly by the Federal Reserve, representing the total market value of mortgage-backed securities held in the central bank's portfolio.
Historical Context
This metric is crucial for understanding Federal Reserve monetary policy, housing market interventions, and broader economic stabilization efforts.
Key Facts
- Represents weekly snapshot of MBS holdings by the Federal Reserve
- Indicates central bank's role in supporting housing and credit markets
- Reflects monetary policy strategies and economic intervention mechanisms
FAQs
Q: What are mortgage-backed securities?
A: Mortgage-backed securities are financial instruments created by pooling multiple mortgage loans and selling them as investable assets. They allow banks to transfer mortgage risk and provide additional liquidity to the housing market.
Q: Why does the Federal Reserve hold mortgage-backed securities?
A: The Fed purchases MBS to support housing markets, lower mortgage rates, and provide economic stimulus during challenging economic periods. This helps maintain financial market stability and supports economic recovery.
Q: How often is this data updated?
A: The WSHOMCB series is updated weekly, providing a current snapshot of the Federal Reserve's mortgage-backed securities holdings. This frequent update allows for timely economic analysis.
Q: How do MBS holdings impact the broader economy?
A: MBS holdings can influence mortgage rates, housing affordability, and overall credit market conditions. Changes in these holdings can signal shifts in monetary policy and economic strategy.
Q: What are the limitations of this data?
A: While valuable, this metric represents only one aspect of monetary policy and should be interpreted alongside other economic indicators for comprehensive analysis.
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Citation
U.S. Federal Reserve, Assets: Securities Held Outright: Mortgage-Backed Securities: Wednesday Level [WSHOMCB], retrieved from FRED.
Last Checked: 8/1/2025