Kissing a June rate cut goodbye? The next best move to manage your cash — Endowus cash management solutions (April 2024)

Stubbornly high inflation reaffirms the recent rhetoric of the Federal Reserve: The central bank is in no hurry to cut interest rates. It seems more apparent that the anticipated cut is unlikely to occur in June. 

The Fed has been wanting to see meaningful progress on inflation before it starts cutting rates. However, US consumer prices in March picked up again at 3.5%, marking the highest annual rise in the past six months. The pace was up considerably from February’s 3.2% rate as well. Even the central bank’s preferred gauge, the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, has moved further from the 2% target. 

With interest rates being held between 5.25% to 5.50% since July 2023, what are the current yields for more accessible and liquid investment options? Rather than hopping around to lock in for the yields periodically, you can explore the options offered by Endowus to help maximise the value of your cash.

You can select from a list of funds for cash managementavailable on our Fund Smart platform, or consider our Cash Smart portfolios that allow you to earn higher yields with no penalties on redemptions.

More importantly, enjoy daily liquidity for full flexibility. The funds on the Endowus platform are well diversified and enable you to take advantage of high yields in the current environment while minimising concentration risks to single issuers.

With higher interest rates, net yields (including the Endowus fee) as of 1 April 2024 now range from 4.41% to 5.39% p.a.# for cash management funds available on the Endowus platform.

Cash management solutions on the Endowus platform

Here are the key money market, liquidity, and fixed income funds available on the Endowus platform for Hong Kong investors to consider:

For HKD:

• E Fund HKD Money Market Fund
• GaoTeng WeInvest HKD Money Market Fund
• HSBC Global Money Hong Kong Dollar

For USD:

• E Fund USD Money Market Fund
• GaoTeng WeValue USD Money Market Fund
• Abrdn Liquidity Fund USD
• Ping An USD Money Market Fund
• Amundi Cash USD Fund
• HSBC Global Money US Dollar

Why do people invest in money market funds?

1. Maintaining an emergency fund: Life is full of uncertainties, and having a liquidity fund can be a personal safety net to get through any unforeseen emergencies, such as a period of unemployment or an unbudgeted large expense. The general rule of an emergency liquidity reserve is about 3 to 6 months of monthly expenses. The accessibility and flexibility of money market funds make them a good option while not having to sacrifice yields.
2. Short-term investment/life goals: Money market funds could be useful for short-term goals such as saving for a vacation or wedding. It is important to ensure the investment holds its value over a shorter time period. 
3. Parking of assets: Money market funds are also good vehicles to park or transfer assets when you are deciding on how to deploy your funds for the longer term. We do not recommend money market funds as the investment vehicle for your long-term wealth goals. Although their stability might be appealing in the short run, over the long-term their returns would be much lower than stocks and bonds.

The smart and flexible way to earn more on your cash

Looking to supercharge your cash savings? The HSBC Global Money US Dollar, with a net yield of 5.06% p.a.*#, could be a great addition depending on your needs and objectives. You can add it to your portfolio by following these steps. 

If you’re interested in model portfolios, CashUp - Simple is another good option, with a current net yield of 5.1-5.3% p.a.*#, CashUp - Plus is available as well for investors who are willing to take more risk relative to the CashUp - Simple solution, with a current net yield of 5.2-5.4%p.a.*#. Critically, Endowus offers our cash management solutions at fees of just 0.10% p.a., making our offerings highly competitive for your low-risk investments. This is on top of our longstanding practice to rebate any trailer fees back to our clients. Learn more about our Endowus CashUp Portfolios here.

Make your cash work smarter for you. If you have money set aside for an upcoming expense, earn higher returns on it instead of letting it sit idle in your current or savings account. To get started with Endowus, click here. 

*As of 1 April 2024. Net yield after deducting fund-level fees and Endowus access fee, and adding back rebates. Source: Endowus Research and HSBC Asset Management.

# Past performance is not an indicator nor a guarantee of future performance. A positive distribution yield does not imply a positive return.

Read more:

• How to choose between money market funds
• Endowus Fund Smart — Most Popular and Best Performing Funds of 2023
• Webinar: Supercharge your cash in a 5% interest rate environment

An overview of cash management options in Hong Kong

The world of cash management spans a wide variety of yield enhancement products. 

However, it is important for investors to clearly understand the pros and cons of each — they often come with trade-offs involving yield, lock-ups, duration, minimum or maximum investment amounts, level of risk and transaction fees. 

The table below shows different options available to short-term cash management, including unit trusts on the Endowus platform and their latest available yield information (as of the time of writing). For time deposits, the range of current yields shown in the table below  should be taken as a guide only, given that time deposit interest rates in Hong Kong change frequently. 

Please note that iBond and money market funds are investment products, albeit categorised as low risk products, they are not capital protected.

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Risk Warnings

Investment involves risk. Past performance is not an indicator nor a guarantee of future performance or returns. Projected performance or returns is not guaranteed to materialise. The value of investments and the income from them can go down as well as up, and you may not get the full amount you invested. 

Rates of exchange may cause the value of investments to go up or down. Individual stock performance does not represent the return of a fund.

General risk warnings relating to collective investment schemes 

Before making an investment decision, you are reminded to refer to the relevant prospectus/ offering document for specific risk considerations and related fees and charges.

Funds are not a bank deposit and not capital guaranteed, and is subject to investment risks, including the possible loss of the principal amount invested.  

Some of the funds also involve derivatives. Do not invest in them unless you fully understand and are willing to assume the risks associated with them.

Opinions

Any forward-looking statements, prediction, projection or forecast on the economy, stock market, bond market or economic trends of the markets contained in this material are subject to market influences and contingent upon matters outside the control of Endowus HK Limited (“Endowus”) and therefore may not be realised in the future. Further, any opinion or estimate is made on a general basis and subject to change without notice. In presenting the information above, none of Endowus HK Limited, its affiliates, directors, employees, representatives or agents have given any consideration to, nor have made any investigation of the objective, financial situation or particular need of any user, reader, any specific person or group of persons. Therefore, no representation is made as to the completeness and adequacy of the information to make an informed decision. You should carefully consider (i) whether any investment views and products/ services are appropriate in view of your investment experience, objectives, financial resources and relevant circumstances. You may also wish to seek financial advice through a financial advisor or the Endowus platform and independent legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice, as appropriate.

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Product Risk Rating: Please note that any product risk rating (the “PRR”) provided by us is an internal rating assigned based on our product risk assessment model, and is for your reference only. The PRR is subject to change from time to time. The PRR does not take into account your individual circumstances, objectives or needs and should not be regarded as advice or recommendation to purchase, hold or sell any fund or make any other investment decisions. Accordingly, you should not solely rely on the PRR in making your investment decision in the relevant Fund.

Complex Products

Some of the funds contained in this article are complex products and investors should exercise caution when investing in these products. Though these products have been authorised by the SFC, authorization does not imply official recommendation. SFC authorization is not a recommendation or endorsement of a product nor does it guarantee the commercial merits of a product or its performance.

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