Are money markets a good investment?
Money market accounts are a great option if you're looking to maximize the amount of interest you can earn in a low-risk setting. You'll have easy access to your money, your account is insured up to $250,000, and it's a great financial tool to help you reach your short-term savings goals.
The Bottom Line. Both money market accounts and money market funds are relatively safe, low-risk investments, but MMAs are insured up to $250,000 per depositor by the FDIC and money market funds aren't.
Money market funds invest in highly liquid securities like cash, cash equivalents, and high-rated debt-based securities. Because they only invest in highly rated securities, money market funds offer a high degree of safety. Money market funds also offer investors higher yields than traditional savings accounts.
So while money market accounts are safe investments, they really don't safeguard you from inflation.
In order to meet increasing redemptions, the fund was forced to sell a certificate of deposit at a 3% loss, triggering a restatement of its NAV and the first instance of a money market fund "breaking the buck". The Community Bankers US Government Fund broke the buck in 1994, paying investors 96 cents per share.
While MMAs are generally considered very low risk, you can lose money in these accounts under some circ*mstances. One way to lose money in a money market account is to incur more fees than the account earns in interest income.
There's no risk of you losing your deposit with a money market account. While money market accounts are considered low-risk accounts, that doesn't mean there aren't small risks to be aware of. The biggest risk a money market account poses is that your money may lose value over time to inflation.
You may need to keep $1,000, $5,000, or even more in a money market account. Some money market accounts also have tiered interest rates, so the higher your balance, the more interest you earn.
How safe are money market funds? There is little risk associated with money market funds. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) mandates that only the highest-credit-rated securities are available in money market funds.
Money market funds can protect your assets during a recession, but only as a temporary fix and not for long-term growth. In times of economic uncertainty, money market funds offer liquidity for cash reserves that can help you build your portfolio.
Has anyone ever lost money in a money market?
However, this only happens very rarely, but because money market funds are not FDIC-insured, meaning that money market funds can lose money.
Bond funds invest in various fixed-income securities and offer a higher potential return than money market funds but also come with greater risk. Short-term bond funds typically invest in bonds with maturities of five years or less.
Money market funds are usually considered to be safe investments, but it's important to remember that these investments are intended for the short term. With maturities of 13 months or less, the funds stay liquid and allow you better access to your money than longer-term investments.
| Money market fund | Expense ratio | 7-day SEC yield |
|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund (ticker: VMFXX) | 0.11% | 5.3% |
| Fidelity Money Market Fund (SPRXX) | 0.42% | 5% |
| North Capital Treasury Money Market Fund (NCGXX) | 0% | 5.4% |
| Schwab Municipal Money Fund - Investor Shares (SWTXX) | 0.34% | 3.3% |
- Limited transactions. Some accounts limit certain transfers and withdrawals (known as convenient transactions) to six per month, so this isn't the best account for regular banking. ...
- Deposit and balance requirements. ...
- Fees. ...
- High interest rates. ...
- Flexible access. ...
- Federal insurance.
1. High-yield savings accounts. Overview: A high-yield savings account at a bank or credit union is a good alternative to holding cash in a checking account, which typically pays very little interest on your deposit. The bank will pay interest in a savings account on a regular basis.
Taxable money market funds, also known as prime money market funds, usually offer higher yields than tax-exempt funds, but any income is subject to taxes. Prime funds invest in corporate and bank debt issued by U.S. and international entities.
A money market fund is a type of investment account that invests in funds that may gain and lose value, meaning you could lose part of your initial investment.
Your interest rate can decline: Banks and credit unions set interest rates based on a variety of economic factors. If you open a money market account when rates are high but steadily decline, the value you thought you would get would decrease along with the rates.
Lack of Risk Management
This can include setting stop-loss orders to limit losses, diversifying your positions to spread risk, and avoiding risky trades beyond your position sizing limits. Unfortunately, many traders fail to implement a solid risk management plan and take on more risk than they can handle.
How safe are money market accounts right now?
Are money market accounts safe? Yes, money market accounts are safe. The FDIC insured these products for up to $250,000 per depositor, per account ownership category. At credit unions, money market accounts receive the same level of protection from the NCUA.
Is Your Money Ever Stuck in a Money Market Account? A common misconception is that money in an MMA can be stuck for a set time. However, the beauty of MMAs lies in their liquidity. Unlike certain investments with lock-in periods, MMAs offer flexibility.
Like other deposit accounts, money market accounts are insured by the FDIC or NCUA, up to $250,000 held by the same owner or owners.
Because they invest in fixed income securities, money market funds and ultra-short duration funds are subject to three main risks: interest rate risk, liquidity risk and credit risk.
Money market accounts and savings accounts are equally safe places for consumers to keep their savings. However, it's important to open accounts at banks that are covered by FDIC insurance. You can check if your bank is FDIC-insured here.
