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will there be a run on money market funds?

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  • will there be a run on money market funds?

    ContraryInvestor.com has a thing or three to say this week about money market funds. Since this is a paid subscription service I won't quote it.

    But I do want to discuss the skinny on what it all means.

    1. Money market fund yields are down around .5% - 1%

    2. These funds often charge fees that can quickly make the tiny yields above equal zero, or even go negative.

    3. Banks are guaranteed now to US$250K

    4. Money market funds are loaded with commercial paper that has been "AA"ed using derivatives.

    5. IF short yields fall much more, and money market funds go negative, there may be a run on MM funds.

    6. MM funds would have to sell their CP right quick.

    7. Every MM fund would be selling at the same time.

    Get the picture??

  • #2
    Re: will there be a run on money market funds?

    I wouldn't sleep at night if I still had a money market account!

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    • #3
      Re: will there be a run on money market funds?

      Originally posted by kingcopper View Post
      I wouldn't sleep at night if I still had a money market account!
      Note that MMA is different from MMF. The former is FDIC-insured and really just a savings account. The latter is essentially a mutal fund (is exactly a mutual fund?), which is what grapejelly is discussing above.

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      • #4
        Re: will there be a run on money market funds?

        I think this thread deserves to be brought up top. The move by the Fed to ZIRP will mean MM funds may start providing negative yields after management fees...and that may mean massive withdrawals and resultant asset sales and MM funds seizing up.

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        • #5
          Re: will there be a run on money market funds?

          Lordy this may mean that paying someone to manage your money is just plain old silly. A mattress or a gold bar can do that job just as well now!

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          • #6
            Re: will there be a run on money market funds?

            I just took a look at some Fidelity MM funds, and frankly, I can't make heads or tails our of what they invest in.

            U.S. Treasury Bills 1
            Agency Fixed 26.7
            Agency Floater 38.7
            Repurchase Agreements 33.6

            I have no idea how the Fed cut impacts these.

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