Money market funds are mutual funds that investors typically use for relatively low-risk holdings in a portfolio.  These funds typically invest in short-term debt instruments, and they pay out earnings in the form of a dividend. A money market fund is not the same as a money market account at a bank or credit union.

There’s a big difference between money market funds and money market accounts. Funds are mutual funds that invest in securities, and they can potentially gain value. Money market accounts are often FDIC insured bank accounts.

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Money market funds often pay a monthly dividend, but some alternatives exist. 

Money market funds are a popular and useful cash management tool in the right circumstances. Before you use money market funds, make sure you understand how they work and the risks you might be taking.

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Money Market Fund Investments

Money market funds invest in short-term securities. By keeping a short time frame, these funds attempt to increase in profit margin, which may help to manage risk. These funds are required to keep investment maturities to 397 days or less.

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The longer you lend money to a person, business, or government, the greater the risk that something could happen, and you won’t get repaid. Typical investments inside a money market fund might be US Treasury issues, short-term corporate paper, and other securities that present a relatively low risk of default.

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You don’t select the investments inside of a money market fund. Instead, a fund manager does that for you.

Different funds might have different underlying investments.3 For example:

• Government money market funds primarily invest in government-issued securities. 

• Municipal money market funds favor issues from municipal bodies.

• Prime money market funds might invest in corporate and bank securities to maximize the yield.

 

Why Use Money Market Funds?

Risk Management

Investors use money market funds when they want a cash-like investment. These investments may provide a small return while assuming limited risk. Contrast that with a portfolio invested heavily in stocks. You can often reduce risk by switching to a money market fund or keeping some portion of your assets in these investments.

 

 

Liquidity

Investments in money market funds are typically liquid, meaning you can usually get your money out within a few business days. It generally takes one trading day for a mutual fund sale to settle. After that, you may have to transfer the funds to an account that allows spending.

 

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Convenience

Some institutions allow you to write checks to withdraw your funds from a money market fund. As a result, you get the advantages of dividend earnings as well as easy access to your cash. Make sure you ask what restrictions or fees your institution has.

 

 

Responsive Rates

Money market funds may pay higher or lower rates over time. If you expect rates to rise, keeping your money in an investment that adjusts to the markets might be appealing.

Due to the understandable trade-offs between risk and return, you might expect money market funds to provide long-term returns that are relatively low.

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Potential benefits of Money Market Funds

There are several benefits you need to know about, including the risk of  not losing money.

 

This is Technically a Security, and You Cannot Lose Money

The fund managers attempt to keep the share price constant at $1 per share. However, there is guarantee that the share price will stay at $1 per share. If the share price declines, you cannot lose some or all of your principal.

 

Money Market Funds are not FDIC Insured

If you keep money in a regular bank deposit account, such as savings or checking, your bank provides FDIC insurance for up to $250,000. Although money market funds are relatively safe, there is still a small amount of risk that could have disastrous consequences if you can’t afford any losses. There is no government entity covering potential market losses.

In return for that risk, you should (ideally) earn a better return on your cash than you’d earn in an FDIC insured savings account.

 

Money Market Fund Rates are Variable

You can know how much you’ll earn on your investment as the future unfolds. The rate could go up or down. If it goes up, that may be a good thing. However, you earn more than you expected—you may end up needing more cash to meet your goals. This benefits exists with other securities investments, but it is still worth if you're looking for predictable returns on your funds.

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You Have Potential Opportunity Costs

Because money market funds are considered to be safer than other investments like equities, long-term average returns on money market funds may be higher than long-term average returns on riskier investments. Over long periods, earn much higher returns, and you might be better served with higher-yielding investments if you have the capacity and desire to take the investment .

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Locked up Funds

In some cases, money market funds can become illiquid, which helps to reduce problems during market turmoil. Funds can impose liquidity fees that require you to pay for cashing out. They may also use redemption gates that require you to wait before receiving proceeds from a money market fund.

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Where to Get a Money Market Fund

When it comes to money market funds, you have choices. They are plentiful at brokerage houses and mutual fund companies—any free cash in your accounts might automatically go into a money market fund.

Before investing in a money market fund (or any other fund), read the fund’s prospectus carefully. This disclosure document explains some of the risks, fees, minimums, and other features of each fund.

The Balance does not provide tax, investment, or financial services and advice. The information is being presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance, or financial circumstances of any specific investor and might not be suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.

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Benefits from a wealth of advantages:

• Low risk investment
  Affordable access to special savings accounts with low risk.

• Cash parking facility
  Money market funds are usually regarded as temporary cash parking facilities and are very liquid by nature. For example, it would be prudent to temporarily invest your cash in a money market fund while waiting for the right opportunity to invest in stocks. Notably, money market funds also provide a safe haven during volatile market conditions. The fund is especially useful for institutional investors who want to earn reasonable returns on large amounts of idle cash. At the same time, individual investors are assured of adequate liquidity for their personal cash requirements.

• Makes Investing Easy Through Professional Investment Management
  The Fund is managed by investment professionals with a wealth of expertise and experience. Finally, you should benefit from Sun Life Financial's investment management track record and first-rate research capabilities.

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