Which two companies

[diverdog]

will make a combined total of a $100 billion dollars in income this year? The answer surprised me.

[KantoSooner]

Income or profit? I can think of lots that would have that income.

[okie52]

Solyndra and Fisker

[diverdog]

Income or profit? I can think of lots that would have that income.

The goddamn article is using the words income and profit like they are the same. So I am not sure.

[cleller]

Apple and McDonalds?

[diverdog]

I am going to spill the beans. It is Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. They are putting so much money back into the government that it is delaying talks on increasing the debt ceiling. What I cannot figure out is how they are doing it.

[KantoSooner]

If income, I'd think any two of the top 50 companies in the world could combine for $100 billion. It's been a while and times aren't as good, but I know that even 30 years ago, the major Japanese trading houses (Marubeni, Mitsui, Sumitomo, etc.) were enjoying sales of $150 bill each or so. Some car makers, some energy giants, maybe a steel company or two, a coupla computer outfits. You ought to be able to come with lots of two company combos in that range.

[KantoSooner]

I am going to spill the beans. It is Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. They are putting so much money back into the government that it is delaying talks on increasing the debt ceiling. What I cannot figure out is how they are doing it.

Has the default rate fallen that sharply?

[pphilfran]

It is profit...

http://money.cnn.com/2013/05/09/news/economy/fannie-mae-freddie-mac/index.html

Fannie will pay 60 billion in dividends to the Treasury...Freddie will add an additional 7 billion...

[pphilfran]

Has the default rate fallen that sharply?

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/08/us-usa-freddiemac-earnings-idUSBRE9470I120130508

The government-controlled company reported net income of $4.6 billion for the first three months of the year, up from $577 million in the year-ago quarter. It cited rising home prices, falling mortgage delinquencies and increased refinance activity for the improved performance.

[diverdog]

Has the default rate fallen that sharply?

Yes. I think we are through the worst of it.

[SanJoaquinSooner]

I think income is more like profit than it is revenue.