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 June 30, 2024, 6 of 6 Vanguard money market funds, 71 of 83 Vanguard bond funds, 21 of 23 Vanguard balanced funds, and 116 of 137 Vanguard stock funds—for a total of 214 of 249 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 are a type of mutual fund that invests in conservative, lower-risk securities like: Cash. Cash-equivalent securities. Debt-based securities with high credit ratings and short-term maturities, such as U.S. Treasury Bills.

What are the risks of money market funds? ›

There are two main types of liquidity risks faced by money market funds: funding liquidity risk (if the fund's liquidity is insufficient to meet redemptions) and market liquidity risk (if market volatility forces funds to sell securities below the mark-to-market price in order to meet large redemptions or maintain ...

Is money market fund a good investment? ›

In the realm of mutual-fund-like investments, money market funds are characterized as low-risk, low-return investments. Many investors prefer to park substantial amounts of cash in such funds for the short term. However, money market funds are not suitable for long-term investment goals like retirement planning.

How do money market funds pay you? ›

The earnings from money market funds can come from interest income or capital gains, so they're taxed the same way as other investment income.

Can I take money out of a money market fund? ›

With a money market account, you'll typically get a checkbook and/or debit card. You can write checks against the account's balance or use the debit card to make purchases and withdraw money from ATMs.

Is it possible to lose money in a money market fund? ›

Since money market accounts are insured by the FDIC or the NCUA, you cannot lose the money you contribute to the account—even in the event of a bank failure. You can, however, be subject to fees and penalties that reduce your earnings.

What are 3 cons of a money market account? ›

Cons of money market accounts
  • Depending on your bank, there could be withdrawal limits. Many banks have withdrawal limits on how much you can withdraw from your money market account and how often. ...
  • Many accounts have monthly fees. ...
  • Your account might have a minimum balance requirement.
Jun 14, 2024

How long should you keep money in a money market fund? ›

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.

What is better than a money market fund? ›

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 best money market fund right now? ›

7 Best Money Market Funds to Buy for 2024
Money Market FundExpense Ratio7-Day SEC Yield
Schwab Value Advantage Money Fund - Investor Shares (SWVXX)0.34%5.1%
Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund (VMFXX)0.11%5.3%
Vanguard Treasury Money Market Fund (VUSXX)0.09%5.3%
Schwab Municipal Money Fund - Investor Shares (SWTXX)0.34%2.9%
3 more rows
Sep 3, 2024

Are money market FDIC insured? ›

Money market funds, like mutual funds, are neither FDIC insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. government or government agency and are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by, any bank. There can be no assurance that these funds will be able to maintain a stable net asset value of $1 per share.

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.

What happens to your money in a money market account? ›

Money market accounts work like other deposit accounts, such as savings accounts. As customers deposit funds in a money market account, they earn interest on those funds. Typically, interest on money market accounts is compounded daily and paid monthly.

How much will $10,000 make in a money market account? ›

How much a $10,000 deposit in a money market account will earn annually depends on the annual percentage yield (APY) offered by your financial institution. If you deposit $10,000 into a money market account with a 5.00% APY, you will earn $513 in interest by the end of the year, assuming daily compounding.

How much money should you keep in a money market account? ›

If you insist on holding all your money in money market accounts, no one account should hold more than the FDIC-insured amount of $250,000. It is not uncommon to see families or estates with multiple bank accounts insuring their money as much as possible.

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.

How many times have money market funds broke the buck? ›

How much should a money market investor be concerned with that risk? Smith: Since their introduction in 1971, money market funds have broken the buck just two times. The first was in 1994, when a fund was liquidated at 96 cents per share because of large losses in derivatives.

Are money market funds safer than savings accounts? ›

Money market [funds] typically yield higher interest rates compared to savings accounts, yet they lack FDIC insurance. Concerned clients often choose the added safety of money markets invested solely in government securities.” Besides rates, you'll also want to consider how long it takes to access your funds.

How long will money market rates stay high? ›

Money market account rates are expected to drop in 2024, similar to savings and CD rates. The Federal Reserve's decisions will influence changes in money market account rates.

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