Money market funds are a type of mutual fund that invests in short-term debt instruments. These funds are typically used by investors as a way to park their cash while earning a bit of interest. These types of funds are relatively low risk and can be a good option for those looking for a safe place to invest their money. In this post we’ll explain how a money market fund works and their pros and cons.
Table of Contents
What Is Money Market?
The money market is a component of the financial market that deals with the lending and borrowing of short-term funds. The money market is used by a wide range of market participants, including banks, corporations, and governments.
It is divided into two main segments: the wholesale money market and the retail money market. The wholesale money market is where banks and other financial institutions trade short-term funds among themselves. The retail money market is where individuals and small businesses can access short-term funds.
The main instruments of the money market are certificates of deposit (CDs), commercial paper, and Treasury bills. The money market is a key source of short-term funding for banks and other financial institutions. It is also a key determinant of the interest rates that banks charge on loans and other products.
What Are Money Market Funds And How Do They Work?
Money market funds are mutual funds that invest in short-term debt instruments, such as government bonds, commercial paper, and certificates of deposit. The first money market mutual fund was established in 1971 by the Reserve Fund. The goals of money market fund managers is to preserve capital and generate income.
Money market funds aim to maintain a net asset value (NAV) of $1 per share. This means that the total value of the securities in the fund’s portfolio must always be equal to or greater than the number of shares outstanding.
To achieve this, the funds typically invest in a mix of short-term debt instruments with different maturities. This allows the fund to ladder its investments, meaning that some of the securities will mature and can be sold to meet redemptions while others are still outstanding. The fund also invests in a variety of debt instruments to diversify its holdings and reduce its risk.
Money market funds seek to maintain a stable NAV by reinvesting dividends and capital gains back into the fund. They also return excess earnings to shareholders in the form of dividend payments.
They are typically low-risk investments, and as a result, they offer relatively low returns. However, money market funds can be a useful tool for diversifying a portfolio and for preserving capital in a time of market turmoil.
Money Market Fund Types
There are several money market fund types that are classified due to the types of underlying debt securities they invest in.
Prime Money Fund
A Prime Money Fund is a type of mutual fund that invests primarily in short-term debt instruments, such as Treasury bills, commercial paper, and certificates of deposit. These funds are also sometimes referred to as “cash management funds.”
Government Money Fund
A government money fund is a type of mutual fund that invests in short-term debt securities issued by the U.S. government. It must invest at least 99.5% of it’s asset into cash, government securities and fully collateralized repurchase agreements.
Treasury Fund
A treasury money market fund is a mutual fund that invests in short-term debt securities issued by the US government. These funds are also sometimes known as T-bills. Treasury money market funds are some of the safest investments available, since the US government guarantees the full faith and credit of the securities. However, because of this guarantee, these funds tend to have lower yields than other types of funds.
Tax-Exempt Money Fund
A Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund is a mutual fund that invests in short-term, tax-exempt debt instruments. These funds offer investors a way to earn interest income without having to pay taxes on their earnings. This type of fund is typically suitable for investors who are in a high tax bracket and are looking for a way to reduce their tax liability.
Fund Rules And Regulations
As with any type of mutual fund, when investing in a money market fund, there are certain rules and regulations that potential investors should be aware of. These include:
-The fund must have a minimum investment amount, which is typically $1,000 but may be less.
-The fund must be diversified, meaning it cannot invest more than 5% of its assets in any one security.
-The fund’s investments must be rated “investment grade” by a credit rating agency.
-The fund must maintain a net asset value of $1.00 per share. With excess cash returned to shareholders as dividends.
-The fund must limit its investments to cash and cash equivalents, such as short-term government bonds.
-The fund must have a stated investment objective, and its investments must be consistent with that objective.
-The fund’s managers must follow certain risk management procedures.
-The fund must provide investors with periodic reports detailing its holdings and performance.
Money Market Funds & Money Market Accounts – What’s The Difference?
Money market funds are mutual funds that invest in short-term debt instruments, such as Treasury bills, commercial paper, and certificates of deposit. Money market accounts are bank accounts that offer check-writing privileges and pay interest on deposits. Both money market funds and money market accounts are designed to offer a safe place to save and grow your money.
The main difference between money market funds and money market accounts is that money market funds are classified as an investment and are not FDIC-insured. This means that if the fund loses money, you could lose some or all of your investment. Money market accounts are interest paying bank savings accounts and are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per account holder.
If you are looking for a money market account, check out our post on the SaveBetter savings marketplace.
Types Of Money Market Instruments
There are many types of money market instruments that a money market fund may invest in. These include Treasury bills, commercial paper, asset-backed commercial paper, certificates of deposit, and repurchase agreements.
Treasury bills are short-term debt instruments issued by the US government with maturities of one year or less. They are sold at a discount from face value, and the difference between the purchase price and the face value is the investor’s return.
Commercial paper is a type of short-term debt issued by companies with maturities of one year or less. It is typically used to finance inventory and accounts receivable. Asset-backed commercial paper is similar to regular commercial paper, but it is backed by collateral, such as loans or credit card receivables.
Certificates of deposit are deposits made at a bank or other financial institution that are held for a fixed period of time. They typically offer higher interest rates than savings accounts, but they are also subject to early withdrawal penalties.
Repurchase agreements are agreements to buy and sell securities with a promise to repurchase them at a later date. They are typically used by financial institutions to raise short-term capital.
Pros And Cons Of A Money Market Fund
Some of the benefits of investing in a money market fund include:
1. Low risk: Money market funds are considered to be one of the safest investments available. They are not subject to the same volatility as stocks and other types of investments. Although they are still an investment so nothing is 100% guaranteed.
2. Higher returns than bank accounts: Money market funds typically offer higher returns than a traditional savings account.
3. Flexibility: Money market funds offer investors the ability to withdraw their money at any time, without penalty. They offer investors an outlet to receive a return on their short term cash holdings.
Some of the drawbacks of investing in a money market fund include:
1. Limited growth potential: The returns on money market funds are generally lower than other types of investments, such as stocks or bonds. They are generally intended to be used as shorter term investments.
2. Inflation risk: While the returns on money market funds are higher than a traditional savings account, they may not keep pace with inflation.
3. Liquidity risk: Money market funds are required to maintain a certain level of liquidity, which means there is a risk that investors may not be able to access their money when they need it.
4. Not FDIC Insured: Unlike most bank savings accounts, they are not FDIC insured.
Who Are Money Market Funds Suitable For?
Investors who are seeking stability and income without taking on too much risk may find that money market funds are a good fit for their needs. These funds invest in short-term debt instruments, such as government securities and commercial paper, and aim to preserve capital while providing a reasonable level of return.
Money market funds are not without risk, however, as interest rate fluctuations can impact returns. They are primarily used by investors as short term methods to earn a reasonable level of return on cash whilst providing easy access to withdraw at short notice. This can be a good option to generate income from cash sat on the side awaiting investment.
Money market funds are not suited to long term investing as they offer little in the way of capital appreciation. For this reason, investors should carefully consider their goals and objectives before investing.
Investing In Money Market Instruments
There are many ways to invest in money market securities, including directly investing in individual securities or through a more convenient and diversified vehicle like a money market fund.
Money market funds are managed by professionals and offer investors the ability to access a variety of securities with one investment. These funds typically invest in a mix of short- and medium-term debt instruments, which can offer stability and income potential.
For investors looking for diversification and professional management, money market funds can be an attractive option.
Easily compare the top investment platforms to find the best money market funds at Supermoney
Alternatives To Money Market Funds
Some other options for investors are certificates of deposit, bonds, and stocks.
Certificates of deposit (CDs) are issued by banks and credit unions and offer a fixed rate of interest for a set period of time, typically between one and five years. CDs are generally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank.
The main advantages of CDs are that they are relatively low-risk and can provide a higher interest rate than a savings account. The main disadvantages are that CDs typically have early withdrawal penalties and that the money is not accessible until the CD matures.
Bonds are debt securities that are issued by corporations and governments in order to raise capital. When an investor buys a bond, they are lending money to the issuer and are entitled to periodic interest payments (coupons) as well as the return of the principal (face value) when the bond matures.
The main advantages of bonds are that they offer a fixed rate of return and that the interest payments on government bonds are usually exempt from federal and state taxes. The main disadvantages are that bonds are subject to interest rate risk (the risk that interest rates will rise and the value of the bond will fall) and credit risk (the risk that the issuer will default on the bond).
Stocks are securities that represent ownership in a company and entitle the owner to a portion of the corporation’s profits (dividends). Stocks also have the potential to increase or decrease in value, so investors may sell them for a profit (capital gains).
The main advantages of stocks are that they offer the potential for capital gains and that dividends are usually taxed at a lower rate than other types of income. The main disadvantages are that stocks are subject to market risk (the risk that the stock market will go down) and company risk (the risk that the company will perform poorly).
These are just a few examples, the assets you invest in depend on your circ*mstances including your financial goals, available capital, investment knowledge and experience and investment time horizon. View these 21 types of investment assets to grow wealth.
Conclusion
Now that we know how money market funds work, it’s time to start thinking about investing in them. Remember, although they are low risk they are also not suited to everybody. They really only benefit short term investors looking for a return on cash in the interim.
Easily compare the top investment platforms to find the best money market funds at Supermoney
If you’re interested in learning more about investing, be sure to sign up for our newsletter. You’ll get access to exclusive content and tips from our expert investors. You can also check out our blog for more personal finance articles.
