Money Market vs. Short-Term Bonds: An Overview
Money market funds and short-term bonds have many similarities, but they also differ in several ways. They're both excellent savings vehicles on a short-term basis. Both are liquid, easily accessible, and relatively safe securities. But these investments can involve fees and they may lose value and decrease an investor's purchasing power.
Key Takeaways
- The money market is part of the fixed-income market that specializes in short-term government debt securities that mature in less than one year.
- Buying a bond is effectively giving the issuer a loan for a set duration; the issuer pays a predetermined interest rate at set intervals until the bond matures.
- Money markets are extremely low risk, with a typical par value of $1.
- Short-term bonds carry a greater degree of risk depending on the issuer, which may be a company, a government, or an agency.
Money Market Securities
The money market is part of the fixed-income market that specializes in short-term debt securities that mature in less than one year. Most money market investments mature in three months or less. These are considered to be cash investments because of their quick maturity dates.
Money market securities are issued by governments, financial institutions, and large corporations as promises to repay debts. They're considered extremely safe and conservative, especially during volatile times. Access to the money market is typically obtained through money market mutual funds or a money market bank account in which thousands of investors are pooled to buy money market securities on the investors’ behalf.
Shares can be bought or sold as desired, often through check-writing privileges. A minimum balance is typically required and a limited number of monthly transactions are allowed. The net asset value (NAV) typically stays around $1 per share, so only the yield fluctuates.
Lower returns are realized when compared to other investments because of the liquidity of the money market.
Purchasing power is limited, especially when inflation increases. A penalty may be assessed if an account drops below a minimum balance or if the number of monthly transactions is exceeded. Fees can take away much of the profit with such limited returns. Shares are not guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), or by any other agency unless an account is opened at a bank or credit union.
Short-Term Bonds
Bonds have much in common with money market securities. A bond is issued by a government or corporation as a promise to pay back money borrowed to finance specific projects and activities. More money is necessary than the average bank can provide in such cases, which is why organizations turn to the public for assistance.
Buying a bond effectively means giving the issuer a loan for a set duration. The issuer pays a predetermined interest rate at set intervals until the bond matures. The issuer then pays back the bond’s face value at maturity. A higher interest rate generally means a higher risk of complete repayment with interest.
Most bonds can be bought through a full-service or discount brokerage. Government agencies sell government bonds online and deposit payments electronically. Some financial institutions also transact government securities with their clients.
Short-term bonds can be relatively predictable, low-risk income. Stronger returns can be realized when compared to money markets. Some bonds even come tax-free.
A short-term bond offers a higher potential yield than money market funds. Bonds with quicker maturity rates are also typically less sensitive to increasing or decreasing interest ratesthan other securities. Buying and holding a bond until it's due means receiving the principal and interest according to the stated rate.
The bond owner could lose money if interest rates go up, in the sense of opportunity cost by having the money tied up in the bond rather than invested elsewhere.
What Is the Safest Type of Money Market Fund?
Funds that hold a high concentration of government securities are considered by many to be the safest, particularly if they hold Treasuries, which are backed by the government and therefore carry a lesser risk of default.
What's the Difference Between a Short-Term and a Long-Term Bond?
A short-term bond will typically mature within no more than three years. A long-term bond may not mature until after 10 years. The bond's "coupon" or interest should be paid out a few times a year in either case. Deciding between them can depend on your goals and whether you're investing for the long-term or to achieve something that's on a closer horizon.
Which Is Safer, a Bond or a Money Market Fund?
Bonds carry more risk than money market funds. A bond's lender may not be able to make interest or principal payments on time, or the bond may be paid off early with the remaining interest payments lost. The bond may be called, paid off, and reissued at a lower rate if interest rates go down, resulting in lost income for the bond owner.
The Bottom Line
There are both pros and cons to investing in money market funds and short-term bonds.
Money market accounts are excellent for emergency fundsbecause account values typically remain stable or slightly increase in value. Limited transactions discourage removing funds but the money is nonetheless available when it's needed. Short-term bonds typically yield higher interest rates than money market funds, so the potential to earn more income over time is greater.
Overall, short-term bonds appear to be a better investment than money market funds.
FAQs
Money markets are extremely low risk, with a typical par value of $1. Short-term bonds carry a greater degree of risk depending on the issuer, which may be a company, a government, or an agency.
What is the difference between short-term and long term money market? ›
Short-term investments offer quick returns and liquidity, suitable for immediate needs. Long-term investments provide higher growth potential over time, ideal for building wealth and retirement planning.
What is the difference between short-term and long term bonds? ›
Bonds with shorter times to maturity are less sensitive to changes in interest rates than longer-term bonds, meaning investors won't suffer as much if rates head higher. Remember, interest rates and bond prices move in opposite directions, so as rates rise, bond prices fall and vice versa.
What is a short-term bond? ›
Short-term bonds are fixed-income securities with relatively short maturities, generally defined as about one to three years. These bonds are less sensitive to changes in interest rates than bonds with longer maturity dates.
Are money market funds safer than bonds? ›
Low Risk and Short Duration
As stated above, money market funds are often considered less risky than their stock and bond counterparts. That's because these types of funds typically invest in low-risk vehicles such as certificates of deposit (CDs), Treasury bills (T-Bills), and short-term commercial paper.
Is the money market short term? ›
These markets are described as “money markets” because the assets that are bought and sold are short term—with maturities ranging from a day to a year—and normally are easily convertible into cash.
How long is the short term money market? ›
Investment Horizon: Money market investments have a short-term focus, typically from overnight to one year, whereas capital market investments have a longer-term horizon, spanning several years or more.
Are short term bonds better than money market funds? ›
Short-term bonds typically yield higher interest rates than money market funds, so the potential to earn more income over time is greater. Overall, short-term bonds appear to be a better investment than money market funds.
How many years is a short term bond? ›
Bonds can be classified according to their maturity, which is the date when the company has to pay back the principal to investors. Maturities can be short term (less than three years), medium term (four to 10 years), or long term (more than 10 years).
Which is better short term or long term? ›
Long-term investors may enjoy less risk due to the fact they have more time for their portfolios to make up for potential losses. Meanwhile, short-term investors may want to avoid volatile investments, such as some riskier stocks or stock mutual funds.
9 of the Best Bond ETFs to Buy Now
| ETF | Expense ratio | Yield to maturity |
|---|
| Vanguard Total World Bond ETF (BNDW) | 0.05% | 4.9% |
| Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS) | 0.20% | 5.3% |
| DoubleLine Commercial Real Estate ETF (DCRE) | 0.39% | 6.2% |
| Global X 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (CLIP) | 0.07% | 5.5% |
5 more rowsApr 8, 2024
Generally, when interest rates go up, the value of debt securities will go down. Because of this, you can lose money investing in any bond fund, including an ultra-short bond fund. In a high interest rate environment, certain ultra-short bond funds may be especially vulnerable to losses.
How safe are short term bonds? ›
Safety and stability: Short-term government bonds are generally considered low-risk investments because they are backed by the government's ability to tax and print money.
What are the disadvantages of money market? ›
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.
Disadvantages of money market accounts
- 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.
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.
What is considered a long-term bond? ›
Long Bonds Explained
Corporate bonds may offer maturities of 15, 20, or 25 years. Generally, the longest available maturity offering from an issuer may be referred to as the long bond. The Treasury's long bond is considered one of the safest securities and is among the most actively traded bonds in the world.
Are bonds good for short term or long-term? ›
We suggest investors consider high-quality, intermediate- or long-term bond investments rather than sitting in cash or other short-term bond investments. With the Fed likely to cut rates soon, we don't want investors caught off guard when the yields on short-term investments likely decline as well.
Why are short term bonds paying more than long-term? ›
However, it's not the case today: Parts of the Treasury yield curve are inverted, meaning shorter-term bonds are yielding more than longer-term bonds. This is largely because the Fed has been pushing short-term rates up for the past year and a half, in an effort to contain inflation.
What is the main difference between short term and long-term interest rates? ›
The major difference between a short-term interest rate and a long-term interest rate is the length of time it takes to pay back the loan. Also, long-term interest rates are usually higher than short-term interest rates. These interest rates indicate whether the economy is working as it should or not.
