How Money Market Mutual Fund Investments Were Tested By The Financial Crisis
Money market mutual fund investments, or money market funds, are an investment which deals in short term debt securities. The strange feature of this investment is the way it attempts to maintain a constant price of $1. It is possible to make a profit from the dividend which is paid out to investors, but it should never be possible for investors to benefit from rising prices. These investments are there to improve liquidity in financial markets, and they have traditionally performed well. It took the 2008 financial crisis to finally break the system.
By investing in short term debt securities, the investor is able to make a small but virtually guaranteed profit on investment. The markets are able to use the money to stabilize their interests, as any money put into the market is invested in the shortest term debt securities. The weighted average maturity must be maintained at sixty days or less, and there are limits as to how much money can be put into any one investment. Government securities, which are guaranteed payable, are exempt from these limits.
The system has worked exceedingly well since its inception, but in 2008 the $1 standard was breached for the first time. The reason was a corporate failure, and the need of the fund to pay back monies which were owed as a result. The ensuing crisis brought turmoil which could be compared to a run on the banking system. The money market fund system did survive, though, and although confidence has been badly shaken, it remains in place today. There is no sign that the long term depressed state of the economy is going to have a long term effect on these markets.
As well as standard money market funds, it is also possible to invest in ultra short bond markets. These are mutual funds themselves, created for the intention of investing in bonds which are very close to maturity. Again, the reason for the existence of this investment is to smooth out the extremities in the market, and to help the bond market to function as smoothly as possible. Due to the fact that the funds are traded so quickly, there is a potential for gain.
The future of money market mutual fund investments remains uncertain, although the market appears to have stabilized since the crisis of 2008. Activity is low, as is inevitable when the very foundations of an investment are found to be wanting. It is unlikely that these events will be repeated in the near future, so if you are considering this investment there is no reason to change your mind. Unlike investing in a single stock, no-one lost every cent they had invested even during the worst market conditions. There is inbuilt stability with a money market mutual fund.
| El Capitan Precious Metals, Inc. Engages Houlihan Lokey as Its Financial Advisor El Capitan Precious Metals, Inc. today announced it has engaged Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc. as its exclusive financial advisor to assist the Company in evaluating potential strategic alternatives related to the approximately 3,000 acre property located near Capitan, New Mexico, including the potential sale of the property... | ||
Valentine's Day: The Perfect Time to Talk . Financial Planning - DailyFinance
| ||
Investing Wisely, or How to Keep Your Skin - Reuters
| ||
Merriman Capital Advises OCZ Technology Group on LATEST Common Stock Offering and Seventh Transaction SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Merriman Capital, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merriman Holdings, Inc. (OTCQX: MERR.PK - News), announced today it acted as exclusive financial advisor in connection ... | ||
Find the best financial advisor | phoenicianairline Discuss your investment goals and your portfolio with your financial advisor, capable of questions to help understand the economic environment and the current market situation and assess what steps to take to move forward ... | ||
Twenty-Two LPL Financial Affiliated Advisors Named to Registered Rep's "Top 50 Independent Broker/Dealer Women . BOSTON, Feb. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- LPL Financial LLC, the nation's largest independent broker-dealer* and a wholly owned subsidiary of LPL Investment Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: LPLA - News), today congratulated ... | ||
Let FindTheBest Help You Manage Your Personal Finances SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Before making any decisions about your personal financesEUR”like choosing the best financial advisor , bank , credit union , savings account or checking ... | ||
US Private Equity and Venture Capital Funds Posted a Loss in Q3 2011, Ending a . - MarketWatch (press release)
| ||
Technorati Tags: Money Market Mutual Fund, Financial Advisor, Investment Fund Advice


