Launch · Investments
Posted on September 25, 2024
In today's dynamic financial landscape, a business needs to handle liquidity well enough so that it can be flexible enough and make the most of all the opportunities. Liquid mutual funds form a strategic balance between generating returns and maintaining the availability of funds. This tool combines liquidity with low risk, providing thus a safe yet perfect solution to financial intermediation of short-term needs.
Let's explore how liquid mutual funds work and the benefits they can offer your business.
Understanding Liquid Mutual Funds
What Are Liquid Mutual Funds?
Liquid mutual funds are a type of debt mutual fund wherein the securities purchased have a maturity period of up to 91 days, hence they prove to be the usual short-term investments with the shortest maturity period compared to other funds.
Primarily, the goal of liquid mutual funds is to provide liquidity with minimal risk and moderate, stable returns, so very helpful for corporate houses having surplus funds that remain in the current account of banks. It has to maintain liquidity at all times.
How They Are Different from Other Mutual Funds
Liquid mutual funds are more focused on capital preservation and easy liquidity in contrast to equity or hybrid mutual funds that offer an extended time horizon for growth. This makes them stand out as a low-risk, short-term option for businesses looking for stability and accessibility rather than for whatever high-risk, high-reward investments.
Financial Flexibility of Liquid Mutual Funds
Having understood the key features, let's find how liquid mutual funds provide the financial flexibility required in managing cash flow efficiently.
Ease of Accessing Funds
Liquidity mutual funds provide companies with access to their money quickly within 24 hours.
Therefore, the business will be in a position to meet planned expenses as well as unforeseen expenses as quickly as possible.
Fast Redemption Facility
Liquid mutual funds are provided for liquidation instantly without any redemption. The companies are always liquidating their investments without the disadvantage that other financial instruments normally carry.
Liquid mutual funds are essential for the companies requiring speedily raising some funds.
Shorter Maturity Period
Liquid mutual funds can enable companies to keep their investments liquid while earning a reasonable return on them, considering that these securities mature in 91 days.
This situation is ideal for companies which are constantly required to have access to cash to meet their short-term financial liabilities.
Why Liquid Mutual Funds are Good for Business
Liquid mutual funds offer direct financial flexibility into simple bottom-line advantages for the respective business firms. Let's discuss how the liquid mutual funds can play a vital role in cash flow management and help provide liquidity and even create an emergency buffer.
Cash Flow Management
It is very important to manage cash flows effectively in a business. Liquid mutual funds allow companies to park excess cash for better rates of return than those that are normally offered through traditional savings accounts whilst providing the scope for easy liquidity on day-to-day expenses.
Liquidity during Daily Operations
Businesses can ensure running of day-to-day operations without long-term investments locking their money and, hence, liquidity will keep them liquid. Immediately access to money will be available for payroll, payments to vendors, or other operational costs.
Creation of Emergency Reserve
Business firms need an emergency cushion against unforeseen events that include or exclude disruption in the market or some unexpected expenses. Liquid mutual funds serve a fabulous tool to create a long-term fund for emergencies which are liquid so that normal operations are not disturbed in accessing that fund when required.
Risk and Return Profile of Liquid Mutual Funds
While the benefits of liquid mutual funds are obvious, it is vital to analyse its risk and return profile so that you may be aware how liquid funds will fall in place within your business's financial strategy.
Low Risk Nature
Liquid mutual funds are used to invest in high-quality, short-term securities, which means that the degree of risk connected with liquid funds is very low. Therefore, if any business cannot afford such a volatile environment, it can certainly opt for liquid funds since they are very secure.
Market Volatility and Liquid Funds
Although liquid mutual funds are not entirely exempt from market fluctuation, they are far less susceptible to volatility in the market than equity-oriented funds. Therefore, they can be availed as a sound option by businesses looking for stable returns without a fear of erosion through huge losses.
Return Expectations for Businesses in Practice
Although not as liquid in terms of returns as equity funds, liquid mutual funds deliver a constantly regular sort of returns higher than that from savings accounts, which is good business due to its capacity to make surplus funds work for the business with minimal loss of liquidity.
How to Invest in Liquid Mutual Funds for Your Business
Now that you have a good view of the advantages, risk, and returns, you can then consider how your business can get started with liquid mutual funds and customise them according to your specific financial objectives.
Choosing the Fund
Liquid funds come along with variations in terms of risk profile and also on return history. You have to choose a fund that fulfils the financial requirement of your business and also matches the risk appetite of your business.
Evaluating Your Liquidity Requirements
Determine the amount of liquidity your business needs for normal operating days or short-term projects. Based on such a determination, you will understand how much of your surplus cash you should use to invest in liquid mutual funds.
Defining Investment Objectives
Set clear objectives for your investments. It could be either managing cash flows, building an emergency fund, or deriving returns on idle money. Having clear objectives will steer your investment decisions forward.
Conclusion
Liquid mutual funds offer a versatile, low-risk option by understanding their features up to evaluating their fit with your business's liquidity needs. By deploying them appropriately, your business stays agile and financially sound. Seeking a gateway to enhance your liquidity management strategy?
Infinity shall provide you with bespoke financial solutions to make your business fly. Get in touch with us today and find out how liquid mutual funds can serve your business goals.