Money Market Instruments

Money Market Instruments

Money market instruments are short-term investment options that can be converted back to cash options if the investors ever feel the need to get their cash back. Now, this cash can then be spent or reinvested into different investments. That’s what makes money market instruments  favourable for new investors who want a safer alternative to popular investment choices that tend to carry some risks. 

What is a money market instrument? 

It is a form of financing instrument that has a maturity of a year or less. But even before it matures, the investor can always convert it to cash. It essentially facilitates financial borrowing and lending whether that is in a primary or secondary market. Money market instruments’ main features include short-term financing options and high liquidity. 

Understanding money market instruments 

Money market instruments provide a higher degree of safety and are considered a low-risk investment option, which can be perfect for new investors. However, its return on investment is relatively on the lower side. Whether it’s the US Federal Reserve system or the global financial system, money market instruments play a significant role in shaping the financial system in the years to come. 

Uses of money market instruments 

Here are of objectives of money instruments: 

  • Supplying investors with short-term funds at a cost that is relatively fair. 
  • It allows investors to invest their cash into a profitable investment. 
  • The Federal Reserve regulates the money market and helps keep its liquidity level in check. 
  • Most startups and new businesses are low on capital and money market instruments can help them grow their capital for better return on investment. 
  • It provides banks with interesting funding opportunities. 

Types of money market instruments 

There are 5 types of money market instruments that are each targeted for different sets of productivity levels: 

  • Treasury Bills: It is one of the most common forms of money market instruments. The treasury bills have short-term maturity but the exact period varies. It can be from 15 days to 364 days, but it cannot cross 1 year or 365 days. Money market instruments’ maturity must be lower than a year. 
  • Commercial Bills: Another form of money market instrument are commercial bills. Various businesses and startups issue them from time to time in order to meet their short-term cash needs. This type of money market instrument works like the bill of exchange concept. 
  • Certificate of Deposit: This is a type of deposit term that is easily accepted by various commercial banks. The certificate of deposits isn’t strictly issued to individuals. It can also be issued to various corporations and trusts. 
  • Commercial Paper: Commercial papers are issued by corporations as opposed to commercial banks. Commercial papers are issued in order to meet the corporation’s capital requirements. 
  • Call Money: This is a very unique market segmentation that is majorly controlled by scheduled commercial banks and allows individuals and businesses to borrow or lend a certain amount of funds for a short-term period of 14 days or more. 

Importance of money market instruments 

The money market controls and allows for short-term transactions to proceed. It serves as one of the pillars of any financial system and the Federal Reserve system is no different. Here are some of the ways it plays an important role in the market: 

  • Money market instruments provide businesses and corporates with the funds needed for them to invest and grow. The growth of these businesses and corporates will inevitably lead to the growth of the US economy. 
  • The supply and demand in any market can be volatile in nature and having money market instruments in the market can help maintain the balance between the two. 
  • It helps bring new monetary policies into the system. 
  • It helps the growth of the trade industry in the US by supplying and financing the working capital of any and all corporates and businesses. 
  • Money market instruments help banks set a certain statutory liquid and cash reserve ratio. 
  • Everything that happens in the money market is the result of the monetary policies that have been set in place. Having money market instruments in the industry will allow it to devise new monetary policies and control how they will affect the future money market. 
  • Even the government benefits from having money market instruments as treasury bills help them grow their own short-term funds. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Any investor whether individuals, corporations, banking institutes, or businesses, can invest in money market instruments. It helps these investors raise capital for their projects that require short-term funds. 

Some examples of money market instruments are: 

  • Treasury bills 
  • Call money 
  • Commercial bills 
  • CDs 
  • Term money, etc. 

Money market instruments are dedicated to raising funds on a short-term basis for individuals, corporates, businesses, etc. On the other hand, capital market instruments are dedicated to raising equity and debt security in the long run. 

Here are the pros and cons of money market instruments: 

Pros 

  • It is far more liquid than any form of investments that have fixed incomes. 
  • There is no lock-in period and the user can sell any interest they gathered at any moment. 
  • The return on investment is relatively lower than other investments, but it is higher than the return on investment generated on a savings account. 

Cons 

  • Money market instruments are safer and hence the reward is lower. The higher the risks, the greater the benefits. 
  • The interest rates will be at a higher rate as compared to savings accounts. 

Money market instruments are created to fund the growing capital requirements in any industry. These funds are short-term and their primary objective is to raise funds. However, equity securities are used to raise capital for long-term goals. 

Due to the short-term nature of the money marketing instruments, the risks involved are relatively low compared to equity securities. The risks involved in equity securities are higher but so are its benefits. 

Related Terms

    Read the Latest Market Journal

    How to select a unit trust

    Published on Apr 25, 2024 48 

    Navigating the vast world of unit trusts can be daunting. With nearly 2000 funds available...

    Predicting Trend Reversals with Candlestick Patterns for Beginners

    Published on Apr 24, 2024 60 

    Candlestick patterns are used to predict the future direction of price movements as they contain...

    Introduction to unit trust

    Published on Apr 23, 2024 45 

    In the diverse and complex world of investing, unit trusts stand out as a popular...

    Back in Business: The Return of IPOs & Top Traded Counters in March 2024

    Published on Apr 17, 2024 701 

    Start trading on POEMS! Open a free account here! At a glance: Major indices continue...

    Weekly Updates 15/4/24 – 19/4/24

    Published on Apr 15, 2024 76 

    This weekly update is designed to help you stay informed and relate economic and company...

    From $50 to $100: Unveiling the Impact of Inflation

    Published on Apr 12, 2024 164 

    In recent years, inflation has become a hot topic, evoking strong emotions as the cost...

    Japan’s Economic Resurgence: Unveiling the Tailwinds Behind Nikkei 225’s Record Leap

    Published on Apr 11, 2024 91 

    Source: eSignal, Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. In the heart of Japan’s economic landscape, the Nikkei 225...

    Weekly Updates 8/4/24 – 12/4/24

    Published on Apr 8, 2024 112 

      This weekly update is designed to help you stay informed and relate economic and...

    Contact us to Open an Account

    Need Assistance? Share your Details and we’ll get back to you

    IMPORTANT INFORMATION

    This material is provided by Phillip Capital Management (S) Ltd (“PCM”) for general information only and does not constitute a recommendation, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of any offer to invest in any of the exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) or the unit trust (“Products”) mentioned herein. It does not have any regard to your specific investment objectives, financial situation and any of your particular needs. You should read the Prospectus and the accompanying Product Highlights Sheet (“PHS”) for key features, key risks and other important information of the Products and obtain advice from a financial adviser (“FA“) pursuant to a separate engagement before making a commitment to invest in the Products. In the event that you choose not to obtain advice from a FA, you should assess whether the Products are suitable for you before proceeding to invest. A copy of the Prospectus and PHS are available from PCM, any of its Participating Dealers (“PDs“) for the ETF, or any of its authorised distributors for the unit trust managed by PCM.  

    An ETF is not like a typical unit trust as the units of the ETF (the “Units“) are to be listed and traded like any share on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (“SGX-ST”). Listing on the SGX-ST does not guarantee a liquid market for the Units which may be traded at prices above or below its NAV or may be suspended or delisted. Investors may buy or sell the Units on SGX-ST when it is listed. Investors cannot create or redeem Units directly with PCM and have no rights to request PCM to redeem or purchase their Units. Creation and redemption of Units are through PDs if investors are clients of the PDs, who have no obligation to agree to create or redeem Units on behalf of any investor and may impose terms and conditions in connection with such creation or redemption orders. Please refer to the Prospectus of the ETF for more details.  

    Investments are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. The purchase of a unit in a fund is not the same as placing your money on deposit with a bank or deposit-taking company. There is no guarantee as to the amount of capital invested or return received. The value of the units and the income accruing to the units may fall or rise. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of the future or likely performance of the Products. There can be no assurance that investment objectives will be achieved.  

    Where applicable, fund(s) may invest in financial derivatives and/or participate in securities lending and repurchase transactions for the purpose of hedging and/or efficient portfolio management, subject to the relevant regulatory requirements. PCM reserves the discretion to determine if currency exposure should be hedged actively, passively or not at all, in the best interest of the Products.  

    The regular dividend distributions, out of either income and/or capital, are not guaranteed and subject to PCM’s discretion. Past payout yields and payments do not represent future payout yields and payments. Such dividend distributions will reduce the available capital for reinvestment and may result in an immediate decrease in the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Products. Please refer to <www.phillipfunds.com> for more information in relation to the dividend distributions.  

    The information provided herein may be obtained or compiled from public and/or third party sources that PCM has no reason to believe are unreliable. Any opinion or view herein is an expression of belief of the individual author or the indicated source (as applicable) only. PCM makes no representation or warranty that such information is accurate, complete, verified or should be relied upon as such. The information does not constitute, and should not be used as a substitute for tax, legal or investment advice.  

    The information herein are not for any person in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution or availability for use would contravene any applicable law or regulation or would subject PCM to any registration or licensing requirement in such jurisdiction or country. The Products is not offered to U.S. Persons. PhillipCapital Group of Companies, including PCM, their affiliates and/or their officers, directors and/or employees may own or have positions in the Products. Any member of the PhillipCapital Group of Companies may have acted upon or used the information, analyses and opinions herein before they have been published. 

    This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.  

     

    Phillip Capital Management (S) Ltd (Co. Reg. No. 199905233W)  
    250 North Bridge Road #06-00, Raffles City Tower ,Singapore 179101 
    Tel: (65) 6230 8133 Fax: (65) 65383066 www.phillipfunds.com