An expert predicts that yields on cash will continue to outpace inflation, suggesting where to invest your funds.

An expert predicts that yields on cash will continue to outpace inflation, suggesting where to invest your funds.
An expert predicts that yields on cash will continue to outpace inflation, suggesting where to invest your funds.
  • Investors are now able to access returns on cash that beat inflation.
  • Even after the Federal Reserve declared a new interest rate reduction, it is likely that the situation will persist for an extended period.
  • Experts advise taking certain factors into account when determining where to invest your funds currently.

The Federal Reserve's decision to raise interest rates has allowed investors to achieve the highest returns on their cash holdings, helping to slow down inflation.

The Fed announced a new quarter point rate cut on Thursday, and experts suggest that keeping money in cash can still be a profitable strategy.

According to Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate, the best yields, including those in high yield savings accounts, money markets, and CDs, are currently ahead of inflation and are expected to remain so for the foreseeable future.

He stated that although rates are decreasing, cash remains a favorable investment option.

Determining the amount of cash to allocate is a question that every individual investor must answer.

Callie Cox, the chief market strategist at Ritholtz Wealth Management, cautioned investors earlier this year about holding too much cash. She reiterated this warning on Thursday.

Cox stated that if you're sitting in cash because the environment doesn't feel right, then it's likely not a good reason to be sitting in cash.

Strive for at least a six-month emergency fund

It is advised by many financial advisors to have a cash reserve to prevent unexpected expenses from disrupting your budget and accumulating credit card debt.

Natalie Colley, a certified financial planner and partner and senior lead advisor at Francis Financial in New York, stated that the rule of thumb is six months of really necessary expenses.

Depending on your household budget, having a year's worth of expenses set aside may also be reasonable, she said.

If your savings are not yet at the six-month or one-year mark, start with a goal of setting aside three months' expenses and then continue building your cash, advised Colley.

If you're behind on emergency savings, you're not alone.

A survey by Bankrate in September revealed that about 62% of Americans feel they are behind on emergency savings. Many individuals struggle to save due to inflation and high expenses.

How to build emergency savings

Pay attention to asset allocation

If savers fail to transfer their funds to a high-yield online savings account or another competitive yield-paying option, they may miss out on today's higher interest rates.

Even if investors are obtaining higher interest rates on cash, they may still be missing out on other investment opportunities.

Experts say that the truth for investors depends on their time horizon.

Stocks are the best option for achieving long-term financial goals and can help secure your financial future.

""If you let your emotions cloud your judgment, you may miss out on a crucial rally that helps you achieve your financial objectives," Cox advised."

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Dollar-cost averaging is a strategy that involves adding a fixed portion of cash to the market over time, which can make sense if you have money on the sidelines, according to Colley.

Opting for broadly diversified funds rather than individual stocks is crucial, as having a fixed schedule can help investors avoid trying to time the market, which is challenging to do effectively, she emphasized.

Having a long-term view can pay off.

If the financial crisis had occurred before you invested all your money, it would have felt like the worst timing in the world, Colley said.

If you allow the money to grow for 15 years, your returns will be impressive, she stated.

Revise your cash strategy as conditions shift

Investors must be aware of the risks associated with their cash and other investments.

McBride stated that rates would decrease at a slower pace than they increased, with a much greater difference in speed.

As a result, cash investors may experience returns that can surpass inflation for a more extended period, he stated.

Still, there are risks for savers to watch.

Cox stated that the policies implemented under the next presidency may impact both inflation and interest rates.

Cox stated that if inflation rises, it may become challenging to achieve a higher return on cash investments.

Though there are no guarantees on prospective returns, stocks may provide a better way to beat inflation, she said.

She advised investors to consider the reasons behind their investment choices, whether they prefer cash or stocks, and what their financial goals are.

by Lorie Konish

Investing