Given the current higher interest rates, savers and investors now have the opportunity to earn competitive returns through relatively safe investments like money market funds. These funds typically invest in short-term securities issued by governments and corporations, and they are offered by various brokers and fund managers.

Here’s a list of some recommended money market funds to consider for your investment portfolio.

The Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund invests in cash and short-term securities issued by the U.S. government. The fund focuses on generating current income while ensuring a high level of liquidity.

  • Yield: 5.28%
  • Expense ratio: 0.11%
  • Fund assets: $301.4 billion
  • Minimum initial investment: $3,000

The Schwab Value Advantage Money Fund invests in short-term securities issued by U.S. and foreign entities, including governments, corporations, and financial institutions. The fund prioritizes earning high current income while emphasizing stability and maintaining high liquidity.

  • Yield: 5.13%
  • Expense ratio: 0.34%
  • Fund assets: $194.8 billion
  • Minimum initial investment: None

The JPMorgan Prime Money Market Fund aims to achieve current income while maintaining high liquidity and minimizing principal volatility. It invests in low-risk short-term securities, including U.S. government securities, floating-rate debt from U.S. and foreign corporations, and highly-rated commercial paper.

  • Yield: 5.03%
  • Expense ratio: 0.50%
  • Fund assets: $82.8 billion
  • Minimum initial investment: $1,000

The Invesco Government Money Market Fund focuses on generating current income while prioritizing stability and liquidity. It primarily invests in cash, government securities, and repurchase agreements secured by government securities.

  • Yield: 5.04%
  • Expense ratio: 0.32%
  • Fund assets: $5.5 billion
  • Minimum initial investment: $1,000

The Fidelity Money Market Fund focuses on investing in short-term securities to achieve high current income with stability and liquidity. It purchases securities from both domestic and foreign issuers, along with investing in repurchase agreements and commercial paper issued by financial institutions.

  • Yield: 5.03%
  • Expense ratio: 0.42%
  • Fund assets: $110.2 billion
  • Minimum initial investment: None

The Vanguard Municipal Money Market Fund seeks to offer current income exempt from federal income taxes, focusing on stability and high liquidity through investments in municipal securities. Due to its tax-exempt nature, the yield is typically lower compared to other money market funds.

  • Yield: 4.0%
  • Expense ratio: 0.15%
  • Fund assets: $18.2 billion
  • Minimum initial investment: $3,000

A money market fund is a type of mutual fund that invests in short-term securities with minimal credit risk, issued by governments, corporations, or financial institutions both domestically and internationally. These funds are considered low-risk investments that provide current income based on prevailing interest rates.

Money market funds strive to maintain a stable net asset value (NAV) of $1.00 per share while generating a high level of current income. Unlike other mutual funds, such as stock funds that aim to increase NAV through capital appreciation, money market funds prioritize stability.

Money market funds are generally categorized into three types: government, prime, and municipal. Here’s a breakdown of each category:

Government Funds Government funds primarily invest in cash, U.S. Treasury securities, and repurchase agreements that are backed by U.S. Treasury securities.

Prime Funds Prime funds, also known as general purpose funds, invest in a mix of government securities, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, short-term securities issued by domestic and foreign corporations, and repurchase agreements.

Municipal Funds Municipal funds, or tax-exempt funds, allocate the majority of their assets to securities that are exempt from federal income tax. These securities are typically issued by state and local governments or agencies.

Money market funds and money market accounts are distinct financial products:

Money Market Funds A money market fund is a type of mutual fund that invests in short-term securities, aiming to maintain a stable net asset value (NAV) around $1.00 per share. These funds typically invest in government securities, commercial paper, and other low-risk instruments. Importantly, money market funds are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Money Market Accounts On the other hand, a money market account is a deposit account offered by banks or credit unions. It functions similarly to a savings account but usually offers a higher interest rate. Money market accounts are FDIC-insured, providing protection for deposits up to the legal limit in case of bank failure.

The key distinction lies in insurance and investment type: money market funds are investments in securities with potential risks like NAV fluctuations, while money market accounts are insured savings products offered by financial institutions.

When selecting a money market fund, there are several key factors to keep in mind:

Yield: Compare the yield of different funds to ensure you’re maximizing your return on investment.

Expense Ratio: This fee is deducted from your earnings as an investor. Lower expense ratios typically benefit investors more.

Type of Fund: Decide whether a government, prime, or municipal money market fund best suits your financial goals. Municipal funds can be advantageous for those in higher tax brackets.

Other Fees: Watch for additional charges associated with buying and selling money market funds. Some brokers impose mutual fund commissions, while others may have fees tied to specific fund families.

Money market funds seek to invest in top-tier short-term securities to generate steady current income while ensuring liquidity and stability. These funds typically include government securities, as well as securities issued by both domestic and international entities. Municipal money market funds, on the other hand, focus mainly on tax-exempt securities.

Investors interested in leveraging prevailing interest rates or saving for short-term objectives may find money market funds suitable. It’s important to note, however, that despite being low-risk investments, these funds do not carry FDIC insurance.