People walk by a sign for Freddie Mac headquarters on July 14, 2008 in McLean, Virginia. Shares in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac appeared to steady Monday after a near-meltdown last week, as investors mulled a weekend plan offering a government lifeline for the US mortgage finance giants. Freddie Mac's shares shot up as much as 26 percent, then fell eight percent before steadying with a modest gain of 1.4 at 7.76 dollars at 1440 GMT. AFP Photo/Paul J. Richards