Fed hints at one rate cut — Endowus cash management solutions (June 2024)
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Fed hints at one rate cut — Endowus cash management solutions (June 2024)

Updated
20 Jun
2024
published
19 Jun
2024

The US Federal Reserve has dialled back the outlook for multiple rate cuts in 2024. The latest Fedspeak is suggesting only one cut, likely starting from December.

In the FOMC meeting of June 2024, the Fed has left their benchmark rates untouched as expected, meaning that the federal funds rate is maintained at the same level it has held since the central bank’s July 2023 meeting a year ago.

According to Jerome Powell, the Fed’s chair, the decision on the direction of rates continues to be “meeting by meeting” with the “data leading the way”. However, despite interest rates staying at its recent high of above 5% for nearly a year, the economy remains virtually unchanged. The Fed stays put until the economy sends a clear signal that a cut is necessary. This includes factors such as a more convincing decline in price pressures or a jump in the unemployment rate, which have not materialised.

More importantly, diversification is the key. 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 31 May 2024 now range from 4.1 to 5.4% 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:

For USD:

Fund name / ISIN Gross yield1 Net yield YTD returns2 2023 returns 2022 returns 2021 returns AUM Credit quality Weighted Average Maturity (days) Portfolio Characteristics as of
E Fund HKD Money Market Fund
HK0000464419
4.51% 4.28% 2.0% 4.5% 1.6% 0.2% HKD 10,450 million N/A (fund primarily invests in bank deposits) 54 31 May 2024
GaoTeng WeInvest HKD Money Market Fund
HK0000478872
4.71% 4.37% 1.8% 3.9% 1.3% 0.2% HKD 7,350 million N/A (fund primarily invests in bank deposits) 17 31 May 2024
HSBC Global Money Hong Kong Dollar
HK0000465895
4.37% 4.10% 1.8% 3.8% 1.0% 0.0% HKD 7,960 million N/A (fund primarily invests in bank deposits) 46 31 May 2024
E Fund USD Money Market Fund
HK0000365541
5.57% 5.36% 2.4% 5.5% 2.1% 0.3% USD 4,449 million N/A (fund primarily invests in bank deposits) 52 31 May 2024
GaoTeng WeValue USD Money Market Fund
HK0000584778
5.64% 5.40% 2.3% 5.2% 1.9% 0.3% USD 1,287 million N/A (fund primarily invests in bank deposits) 23 31 May 2024
Abrdn Liquidity Fund USD
LU0049014870
5.51% 5.18% 2.2% 4.9% 1.5% 0.0% USD 3,300 million A+ 40 31 May 2024
Ping An USD Money Market Fund
HK0000720810
5.70% 5.45% 2.4% 5.6% 2.1% N/A USD 1,783 million N/A (fund primarily invests in bank deposits) 54 30 Apr 2024
Amundi Cash USD Fund
LU0568621022
5.50% 5.17% 2.3% 5.3% 1.6% 0.1% USD 3,936 million A+ 74 31 May 2024
HSBC Global Money US Dollar
HK0000465952
5.40% 5.13% 2.2% 5.1% 1.5% 0.0% USD 249 million N/A (fund primarily invests in bank deposits) 42 30 Apr 2024

Note 1: Gross yield is before deducting fund-level fees and Endowus fee, and before adding back trailer fee rebates. Net yield is after deducting fund-level fees and Endowus fee, and adding back rebates. Source: Endowus Research, respective fund managers.
Note 2: Returns calculated using monthly returns in base currency. Returns are net of fund-level fees, but do not reflect Endowus fee and rebates. Source: Endowus Research, Morningstar.
For latest fund information, please refer to respective fund’s website:
E Fund: https://www.efunds.com.hk/products/
GaoTeng: https://www.gaotengasset.com/en-US/product-services
HSBC Asset Management: https://www.assetmanagement.hsbc.com.hk/en/individual-investor/fund-centre
Abrdn: https://www.abrdn.com/en-hk/investor/funds/view-all-funds
Ping An: https://asset.pingan.com.hk/en/Products-and-Services
Amundi: https://www.amundi.com.hk/retail/Funds-ETFS/Fund-Net-Asset-Value

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 5.13% 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 5.2% to 5.4% p.a.*#, CashUp - Plus is available as well for investors who are willing to take more risk relative to the CashUp - Simple solution. 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 31 May 2024. Net yield after deducting fund-level fees and Endowus access fee, and adding back rebates. Source: Endowus Research and HSBC Asset Management.

# Yields are not equal to the actual return. Not guaranteed returns. Past performance does not indicate future performance.

Read more:

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.

Type of Instrument Bank Time Deposits Hong Kong Government Green Bond 2023 Certificate of Deposit Cash Management Funds on Endowus
Issuer Banks HKSAR Government Banks, corporations Various underlying issuers i.e. governments, banks, corporations
Capital Guarantee Yes, it is not an investment product, and is covered by the HK Deposit Protection Scheme Backed by HKSAR Government’s credit rating, the capital guarantee is subject to whether the investment is held to maturity and the credit risk of issuers The capital guarantee is subject to whether the investment is held to maturity and the credit risk of issuers No, money market funds are low risk investments categorised by their short maturities and minimal credit risk
Diversification Benefit No No No Yes
Current yields (p.a.) 3.8% to 5.0%^
(estimated, as of 19 Jun 2024)
3.8%
(estimated, as of 19 Jun 2024)
3.5% to 4.0%
(estimated as of 19 Jun 2024)
4.1% to 5.4% p.a.
(as of 31 May 2024)
Lock-up Yes; penalty for early withdrawal Can be sold, but at high cost and low liquidity Can be sold, but at high cost and low liquidity No
Duration Months or years 3 years Months or years Less than 1 year
Minimum Investment Yes; depends on the bank, usually starting at HK$10,000 HK$10,000 Yes; depends on the issue, usually starting at HK$10,000 HK$500
Transaction Fees None Usually up to 1% Usually up to 1% None

^As short-term rates change frequently, this range should be taken as a guide only; readers are advised to check the most updated rates with the relevant financial institutions. Source: Endowus Research.

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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.

No invitation or solicitation

Nothing contained [in this article] should be construed as a solicitation, an offer to buy or sale, or recommendation, to acquire or dispose of any security, commodity, investment or to engage in any other transaction in any jurisdiction in which such solicitation, offer to buy or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws in such jurisdiction. No information included [on this website/ in this article] is to be construed as investment advice or as a recommendation or a representation about the suitability or appropriateness of any advisory product or service; or an offer to buy or sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, any security, financial product, or instrument; or to participate in any particular trading strategy. Investors should seek independent financial and tax advice before making any investment decision.

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.

This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Securities and Futures Commission or any regulatory authority in Hong Kong.

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