With short-term interest rates standing barely above zero, investors who want to keep their money safe and at the same time earn more than a miniscule return face a quandary.
For example, the interest rate on FDIC-insured savings account now averages a paltry 0.13 percent, according to Market Rates Insight, The New York Times reports.
Experts offer the paper several different strategies for investors. If you’ll need your money within a year or two – to buy a home for example – safety and liquidity are obviously paramount.
You can find the highest rates for online savings accounts at MoneyRates.com, Bankrate.com, and MoneyAisle.com. A rate of 1.24 percent was recently available. Check carefully for fees and other fine print.
With certificates of deposit, you can get a higher yield and a maturity that matches your time frame. But you’ll face a penalty if you withdraw the money early.
The Times cites a five-year C.D. from Ally Bank with a 1.73 percent yield and a penalty totaling 60 days’ worth of interest when you liquidate early.
If you won’t need the money for two or more years, you might consider short-term bond funds, which can yield about 2 percent. But beware that if interest rates fall, so will your share price.
You also might buy blue-chip dividend stocks on a downward correction. Just keep in mind that these stocks can easily fall, even if the companies are performing well.
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