Freddie Mac likely to use new capital for growth
NEW YORK, May 14 (Reuters) - Freddie Mac (FRE.N) expects to use new capital for growth rather than to cover losses, the company's chief financial officer said on Wednesday.
In announcing a first-quarter loss, the company earlier on Wednesday said it plans to raise $5.5 billion in fresh capital. Those funds would add to those freed up by easier requirements by its regulator for surplus capital the company needs to hold.
The risk is "greatly reduced" that capital will be used to "fill a hole," Buddy Piszel, chief financial officer of Freddie Mac, the second largest U.S. home funding company, said on a conference call . (Reporting by Lynn Adler and Al Yoon; Editing by James Dalgleish)
© Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved
Green Shoots / Brown Weeds
Jobless claims drop steeply
The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless benefits fell sharply last week, although the data was distorted by an unusual pattern of layoffs in the automotive industry. Full Article
Bad weather hurts retail sales
Sales fell at many U.S. apparel retailers and warehouse club stores in June as the weak economy and cool, rainy weather dashed interest in summer shopping for consumers across the country. Full Article




