Ultra-short bond funds and money market funds: Know the difference

E*TRADE Securities in collaboration with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

08/30/21

Summary: Investors may turn to money market mutual funds to generate potential earnings on cash needed in a short time frame. Ultra-short bond funds are another investing vehicle that may offer modestly higher yields—but also higher risk. Learn the difference between the two products. 

Money market funds can be used to boost the yield on cash needed for near-term use, or for the more conservative part of a portfolio. But with interest rates so close to zero, investors are likely in search of higher yields. Enter ultra-short bond funds. These funds may produce higher yields than money market funds with relatively low volatility.

While both products are considered low risk, there are significant differences between the two that investors should know.

Underlying investments

Money market funds are a type of mutual fund that invest in very high-quality, short-term debt instruments including US Treasuries and agencies (e.g., Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac), and cash-equivalent securities, such as commercial paper and certificates of deposit. They pay out income that typically reflects short-term market interest rates. Because they can only invest in certain securities with very short maturities and high credit quality, they are among the least volatile investment vehicles. In fact, the daily pricing, or net asset value, rarely changes, but more on that later.

Ultra-short bond funds are mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that invest in short-term fixed income securities. However, ultra-short bond funds have more investment flexibility than money market funds and can invest in a broader universe of securities, including corporate debt, government securities, mortgage-backed securities, and other asset-backed securities in accordance with the terms of their prospectus. They generally have the freedom to invest in securities of longer maturity and lower credit quality, and as a result possibly provide higher yields.

Duration

By law, money market funds can only invest in securities with maturities of 13 months or less and the weighted-average maturity of the portfolio must be 60 days or less. This typically means they are less vulnerable to interest rate risk than longer-maturing bond funds.

Ultra-short bond funds can invest in bonds with varying maturities; however, the average duration of the funds tend to be around one year or less. While their duration could be longer than that of money market funds, it tends to be shorter than other short- or medium-term bond funds.

Remember, the longer the duration, the more sensitive to changes in interest rates.

Net asset value

Certain money market funds seek to maintain a $1 net asset value (NAV), which represents the per-share value of a fund’s assets minus its liabilities. Investors can generally sell their shares back to a money market fund on any business day at the NAV. 

In order to maintain a stable NAV, money market funds may impose liquidity fees or redemption restrictions during times of market stress. Though extremely rare, in severe economic downturns, there have been instances where money market funds dipped below their $1 NAV, resulting in investors losing part of the principal value of their investment. This is referred to as "breaking the buck." 

Ultra-short bond funds, on the other hand, have fluctuating net asset values, which means investors always run the risk of losing the principal amount of their investment. 

Other details to know

The amount needed to invest varies depending on the fund. Ultra-short bond ETFs generally require at least one share to be purchased, often starting around $50.

Ultra-short bond mutual funds, as well as money market mutual funds, only trade once a day when the market closes. Ultra-short bond ETFs, however, can be traded on an intraday basis.

Keep in mind, FDIC insurance does not cover money market funds or ultra-short bond funds. 

Bottom line: Ultra-short bond funds may offer investors better potential yields than money market funds with less market risk than short-term bond funds with longer maturities. Ultimately, though, the risks associated with a particular fund can depend on a variety of factors, so investors should be sure to read each prospectus carefully.

How can E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley help?

Thematic Investing

Find ETFs that align with your values or with social, economic, and technology trends.

All-Star funds

Choose from a list of exchange-traded funds or mutual funds selected by Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC.

Brokerage account

Investing and trading account

Buy and sell stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options, bonds, and more.

What to read next...

Along with stocks and mutual funds, ETFs are a popular type of investment. They offer diversification, typically low investing costs, among other potential benefits. But what exactly is an ETF?

Mutual funds are a common type of investment found in the portfolios of many investors. In fact, if you have a retirement account such as a 401(k), you may already own a mutual fund. They are a simple way to diversify your portfolio and potentially benefit from professional management.

Learn why rising interest rates and inflation present headwinds for bond investors, and potential strategies to help manage risk.

Looking to expand your financial knowledge?