The higher likelihood of market shocks in the current environment makes it worthwhile holding extra cash, says IOOF.
IOOF portfolio manager for fixed interest and cash Juanita Escobar said markets are increasingly susceptible to ‘grey swan’ events, which can be “anticipated to a certain degree, while still having a sizeable impact on the valuation of a security”.
Ms Escobar said cash holdings are a pragmatic way to manage risk associated with these events even in the face of low cash rates.
“Increasing cash holdings at current interest rates may be not too expensive as a capital preservation principle.
“Cash investments can also be considered a great risk management tool as they provide flexibility when superior risk-reward investments opportunities arise,” Ms Escobar said.
Furthermore, Ms Escobar pointed out that while many Australian investors are likely to see current bond yields and cash rates as “too expensive” when contrasted with historical levels, they are still “very attractive” when compared with many other global economies where negative rates are prevalent.
“Cash contributes to the portfolio construction and asset diversification and neutralises the negative performance of other assets, even more so, when more grey swans are expected,” she added.
Read more:
Low wage growth to weigh on inflation
Super funds return 2.7% in July
BNP Paribas cuts corporate action 'lag time'
Despite sharemarket declines, the Australian ETF industry finished August at a record high of $54.1 billion in funds under management, acco...
EXCLUSIVE The rise of populism and the social acceptance of protectionism are creating decent investment opportunities in emerging markets....
The small business ombudsman has charged banks with blocking financial services to the $2.6 billion adult industry, following an MP accus...
Get notifications in real-time for staying up to date with content that matters to you.
