The Woo Group RBC Wealth Management Hong Kong USA: How Cash Fits Your Financial?

How Cash Fits Into Your Overall Financial Picture

To prepare for your financial future, you are likely putting considerable focus on growing your investments. But you should also consider the important role that cash plays in your current and future financial life.

We all hold cash to pay for our current expenses, but what about future, perhaps unexpected, expenses. Are you saving for a large purchase? Do you have enough cash on hand to protect against unforeseen events like a job loss? And what about the role cash plays in your investment portfolio?

Plus, your portfolio allocation to cash and “cash-like products” typically changes over time depending on your risk tolerance, investment time horizon and whether you are near retirement or already retired.

Clearly, effectively managing your cash is vital to meeting your financial goals.

Here are three key reasons why it may make sense to talk with your financial advisor about your current and future cash needs.

1. Cash management - What are your current household expenses? If you are retired or depend on your portfolio for a portion of your income, using cash management solutions can offer efficient access to your cash and help smooth out your income stream.

2. Liquidity - There may be expenses in life we do not anticipate, such as a major repair, a medical emergency, or perhaps a job or business loss. Holding sufficient cash may help you prepare for the unexpected. In addition, if you are retired or depend on portfolio income, many financial professionals recommend having six months to two years of spending needs allocated to cash, because it can help protect against market volatility or being forced to sell investments at an inopportune time.

3. Flexibility - Allocating a portion of your portfolio to cash gives you the liquidity necessary to move quickly when an investment or business opportunity presents itself.

To include cash goals in your overall wealth management plan, you may find it beneficial to employ a methodical “three bucket” approach used by many institutional investors.

1. Operating cash: With a zero- to six-month time horizon, the purpose is to meet daily cash management needs (such as paying bills or living expenses). Liquidity and safety of principal are the primary requirements, so the focus is on low-risk options that provide immediate access to funds.

2. Core cash: With a six- to 12-month time horizon, the purpose is to provide occasional access to funds for periodic near-term needs (such as holiday gift giving, a semiannual insurance premium, or an annual vacation). Liquidity is a secondary requirement, so the focus is on low risk and incremental yield.

3. Strategic cash: With a 12- to 24-month time horizon, the purpose is to accomplish major, longer-term cash goals (such as paying college tuition). Liquidity requirements are identified ahead of time, so the investment focus is on optimized risk and returns.

At RBC Wealth Management, you can choose from a broad selection of attractive solutions that are suitable for the specific liquidity, risk and return requirements of your immediate-, near- and long-term cash management needs.

  • RBC Bank Deposit Program® cash sweep option - offering immediate liquidity and up to $1,000,000 in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance per client in each insurable capacity, subject to applicable FDIC insurance limits
  • RBC® Branch Sweep Program cash sweep option - offering a competitive yield and immediate liquidity backed by the strength and stability of Royal Bank of Canada
  • RBC Global Asset Management money market fund cash sweep options - offering immediate liquidity and competitive yields while striving to maintain a net asset value of $1 per share
  • Certificates of Deposit - offering potentially higher yields relative to cash sweep options in exchange for lower liquidity plus you can obtain FDIC protection up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, subject to applicable FDIC insurance limits
  • Fixed income securities - offering periodic interest payments, return of principal at end of the term (subject to the creditworthiness of the issuer) and liquidity on the secondary market (values may fluctuate)
  • Investment Access® Account - offering cash management capabilities, including unlimited check writing, a Visa Debit Card and automatic bill payment services

To learn more about how cash strategies and solutions may help you accomplish your wealth management goals at The Woo Group RBC Wealth Management