No other mortgage stocks came close but there were strong valuation gains from PennyMac Financial Services, up 60% for the year, and in the mortgage insurance sector.
The deduction for mortgage insurance premiums and a tax break on forgiven mortgage debt had expired at the end of 2017 while funding for the National Flood Insurance Program was set to elapse on Dec. 20.
Mortgage insurer Radian recently modified the severance agreements it has with certain executives, boosting termination pay to 150% from 100%. Of course, this only applies if it’s a “qualifying termination event"...