Trustnet on U.K. Money Market Funds
An article entitled, "Trustnet's guide to money market funds" discusses money market funds in Europe and the U.K. Subtitled, "With attractive yields and low risk, money market funds are 'a no-brainer," it explains, "Money market funds are having a moment. In October, they enjoyed their third best month of inflows ever as investors fled the uncertainty of equity markets against a backdrop of rising inflation and high rates, according to data from Calastone. Savers gravitated towards money market funds' high yields of 5% and above, for relatively little risk. August was an even better month, when money market funds netted £673m; October's net inflows amounted to £586m." Trustnet comments, "Royal London Short Term Money Market was the most popular fund on interactive investor's platform in October (knocking the prestigious Fundsmith Equity from its perch at the top) and was the second most popular fund every month from June to September. It has been in the top 10 since April. UK-based savers' sudden enthusiasm for money market funds is notable because they have historically been neglected. During the long period of relatively subdued inflation and quantitative easing since the financial crisis, the yields on offer were less attractive than today." They add, "American savers allocate 17% of their investment portfolios to money market funds, but UK savers only have around 1% in the asset class, according to data from ICI Global (as of 31 March 2023). British consumers have tended to favour cash ISAs and savings accounts with banks and building societies, perhaps because they are easier to understand and to access."
