By Niket Nishant and Manya Saini

(Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration is preparing for the initial public offerings of mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac later this year, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The plans under discussion could value the companies at roughly $500 billion or more combined, and could fetch $30 billion in a share sale, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.

The move would mark a key milestone for the companies, which have been under federal conservatorship since 2008. Fannie and Freddie were created by the Congress to support the housing market by ensuring affordable mortgage financing, but crumbled after being severely bruised during the financial crisis.

They

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