What is a money market fund and how do they work? | Vanguard (2024)

1Traditional bank savings accounts calculate interest using annual percentage yield (APY), while money market funds use the 7-day SEC yield formula. APY is the real rate of return earned on an investment, considering the effect of compounding interest. Compounding interest is calculated periodically, and the amount is almost immediately added to the balance. 7-day SEC yield is calculated based on the fund's average 7-day distribution and allows for comparison across many money market products. This yield includes distributions paid by the fund plus any appreciation over a 7-day period, minus average fees within 7 days.

2In 2016, the SEC began requiring institutional money market funds to have a floating share price like stock or bond funds. Institutional money market funds are intended for institutional investors, and Vanguard doesn't offer them to retail investors.

37-day SEC yield is calculated based on the fund's average 7-day distribution and allows for comparison across many money market products. This yield includes distributions paid by the fund plus any appreciation over a 7-day period, minus average fees incurred during 7 days.

4Recently instituted money market requirements will do away with gates and adjust when and how fees are applied. While rules aren't yet in effect, the rule amendments will become effective 60 days after publication in the Federal Register with a tiered transition period for funds to comply with the amendments. For more information, see the SEC press release regarding money market fund reforms and amendments.

5For the quarter-end, year-to-date, 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year periods ended December 31, 2023, 6 of 6 Vanguard money market funds, 70 of 83 Vanguard bond funds, 21 of 23 Vanguard balanced funds, and 124 of 136 Vanguard stock funds—for a total of 221 of 248 Vanguard funds—outperformed their Lipper peer-group averages. Only mutual funds and ETFs (exchange-traded funds) with a minimum quarter-, 1-, 3-, 5-, or 10-year history, respectively, were included in the comparison. Source: Lipper, a Thomson Reuters Company. The competitive performance data shown represent past performance, which is not a guarantee of future results.View fund performance

For more information about Vanguard funds or ETFs, visit vanguard.com to obtain a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information about a fund are contained in the prospectus; read and consider it carefully before investing.

You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. An investment in the Fund is not a bank account and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Fund’s sponsor is not required to reimburse the Fund for losses, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time, including during periods of market stress.

Bank deposits and CDs are guaranteed (within limits) as to principal and interest by an agency of the federal government.

Bank accounts can offer more liquidity, ATM access, and overdraft protection. You should consider all material differences before choosing to invest.

All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest.

While U.S. Treasury or government agency securities provide substantial protection against credit risk, they do not protect investors against price changes due to changing interest rates. Unlike stocks and bonds, U.S. Treasury bills are guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest.

There may be other material differences between products that must be considered prior to investing.

Although the income from a municipal bond fund is exempt from federal tax, you may owe taxes on any capital gains realized through the fund's trading or through your own redemption of shares. For some investors, a portion of the fund's income may be subject to state and local taxes, as well as to the federal alternative minimum tax.

What is a money market fund and how do they work? | Vanguard (2024)

FAQs

What is a money market fund and how do they work? | Vanguard? ›

Money market funds invest in low-risk assets like Treasury bonds, CDs, or short-term, high-quality corporate bonds with maturities of less than a year. Unlike stock or bond funds, they have a fixed price of $1 per share2 —and money market funds aim to maintain their Net asset value (NAV).

What are two disadvantages of a money market fund? ›

Key takeaways
  • Advantages of money market accounts often include high yields, liquidity and federal insurance for your funds. ...
  • Disadvantages of money market accounts may include hefty minimum balance requirements and monthly fees — and you might be able to find better yields with other deposit accounts.
Mar 26, 2024

How do you make money from money market funds? ›

Like other mutual funds, money market funds sell shares to investors who can then earn income from the portfolios. MMFs blend highly-rated, short-term securities with longer-dated securities (up to 397 days for most funds).

Is money market fund a good investment? ›

Due to the nature of the short-term investments, these are considered to be highly liquid, which means they can be exchanged for cash easily, giving investors access to their money when they need it. Money market funds in general offer better yield than those available from a standard bank savings account.

How are money market funds paid out? ›

A money market fund aims to maintain a net asset value (NAV) of $1 per share.4 Any excess earnings that get generated through interest on the portfolio holdings are distributed to the investors in the form of dividend payments.

Why would you not invest in a money market fund? ›

While money market funds aren't ideal for long-term investing due to their low returns and lack of capital appreciation, they offer a stable, secure investment option for individuals looking to invest for the short term.

Can money market funds lose value? ›

However, this only happens very rarely, but because money market funds are not FDIC-insured, meaning that money market funds can lose money.

Can you cash out a money market fund? ›

You can withdraw your cash at any time without penalties. Higher-yielding than savings at traditional banks.

Are money market funds safe in a recession? ›

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.

Do you pay taxes on money market accounts? ›

Money market funds are divided into two categories: taxable and tax-free. If you're buying a taxable fund, any returns from the fund are generally subject to regular state and federal taxes.

What is the downside of a money market account? ›

Indirectly losing money, however, is a downside of money market accounts. Indirect loss can occur if the interest rates tied to the account fall, thus diminishing the initial return value of your account.

What is better than a money market fund? ›

What Are the Alternatives? Alternatives to money market funds, money market accounts, and savings accounts include: Certificates of deposit: CDs are term-based savings accounts that lock up your funds for a set time period in exchange for higher interest rates.

What is the safest money market fund? ›

Vanguard Treasury Money Market Fund

This fund only invests in US Treasuries and repurchase agreements insured by the federal government, making it among the safest in a category of relatively safe investments. The weighted average maturity of the fund's holdings is 43 days.

What are the risks of money market funds? ›

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.

What is the best investment right now? ›

Americans' views of the best long-term investment when choosing between bonds, real estate, savings accounts or CDs, stocks or mutual funds, or gold. Real estate is number one, at 36%. Note: 2022-2023 figures based on half-sample results that included cryptocurrency option.

Does a money market fund pay monthly? ›

Interest in a money market fund is compounded daily and paid at the end of each month. If you keep topping up your investment and leave it untouched, it will continue to grow. Say for example, you and a friend open MMF accounts at the same time. Your friend puts in Kshs 5,000 and leaves it at that.

What is the biggest disadvantage of the money market? ›

Cons of Money Market Funds
  • Your Money Could Earn More Elsewhere. High-risk investments could provide better returns in the long run. ...
  • Your Funds Are Uninsured. If you open a CD or a checking, savings or money market account from a bank, your funds are FDIC-insured. ...
  • You Can Expect Fees.
Nov 14, 2023

What is one of the biggest disadvantages of money market? ›

Many accounts have monthly fees

Another drawback to remember is that while they have high yields, money market accounts can also come with cumbersome fees. Many banks and credit unions will impose monthly fees just for the upkeep of your account.

What is the risk with money market funds? ›

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.

What is bad about a money market account? ›

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.

References

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