What are Short-Term Investments?
The term "short-term investment" refers to a variety of investments, such as securities, made by businesses that can be sold at any moment and are kept for no more than a year.
Marketable securities include various stocks and bonds, such as purchasing:
- Stocks
- Bonds issued by the government (treasury bills, local government bonds, and corporate financing bonds)
- Monetary funds
- Fixed assets and intangible assets
It refers to the bonds purchased by companies that can be realized at any time and held for no more than one year (including one year) and other investments of no more than one year (including one year), including various stocks, bonds, funds, etc.
When the company's cash is temporarily surplus, it is the best way to invest in stocks, bonds, and treasury bills with strong liquidity.
When the company's cash is insufficient, the investment can be sold to obtain cash.It is a strategy for enterprises to use active funds.
When the company has too many monetary funds and it is not cost-effective to store them in the bank, it can use part of the funds for investments to buy securities low-risk/risk-free securities like T-Bills, AAA-rated short-term debt, etc.
Short-Term Investments Characteristics
Short-term investments areliquid assets which have the following characteristics:
- The investment must be readily tradable.
- The management of the company intends to convert it into cash within one fiscal year.
- It is easy to realize.
The holding time is short, and the investment is generally not for long-term holding, so the holding time is not intended to exceed one year. But this does not mean that it must be sold within one year.
If the actual holding time has exceeded one year, unless the management authority of the enterprise changes the investment purpose, that is, from short-term holding to long-term holding, it will still be accounted for as a short-term investment.
For a long-term debt investment with a defined maturity date, if the remaining maturity is shorter than one year, it cannot be converted into a short-term investment.
However, since these assets have essentially become current assets when compiling the balance sheet, they need to be listed separately under "long-term debt investments due within one year".
Valuation Principles for Short-Term Investments
A short-term investment should be measured at the investment cost when it is obtained.
1. For the investments purchased in cash, they should be accounted for at the full price paid, including taxes, handling fees, and other related expenses.The cash dividends that have been declared but not yet received; the bond interest that has expired but not yet received, included in the actual payment should be accounted for separately and do not constitute thecosts.
2. Theinvestment invested by the investor should be regarded as the short-term investment cost according to the value confirmed by the investment parties.
3. For theinvestment received by the debtor in the form of non-cash assets to pay off the debt, the ST investments cost should be the book value of the creditor's rights receivable plus the relevant taxes and fees to be paid.
If this includes cash dividends that have been declared but not yet received, or bond interest that has expired but not yet been received, the book value of the creditor's rights should be deducted from the dividends receivable or interest receivable, plus the amount payable.
4. For the short-term investment exchanged in non-monetary transactions, the book value of the exchanged assets plus the relevant taxes and fees payable shall be regarded as the short-term investment cost.
For the investment in exchange for raw materials, if the input tax of the raw material is not deductible, the entry value of the exchanged short-term investment shall also add the non-deductible value-added tax input tax.
Accounting for Short-Term Investments
The following points are important while accounting:
1. Cash dividends or interest gained on itshould be written off against the book value of the investment when received, except for cash dividends or interests that have been recorded in the items of "dividends receivable" or "interest receivables".
2. For the investment received by the debtor in the form of non-cash assets to pay off the debt, the ST investments cost should be the book value of the creditor's rights receivable plus the relevant taxes and fees to be paid.
3. When disposing of a short-term investment, the difference between the book value of the short-term investment and the actual price obtained should be regarded as the current investment profit and loss.
Entrusted loans of a company should be accounted for as short-term investments.
However, interest on entrusted loans shall be accrued on schedule and included in profit and loss.
If the interest accrued on schedule by the company cannot be recovered by the interest payment period, the accrual of interest should be stopped and the originally accrued interest shall be reversed.
At the end of the period, the enterprise's entrusted loans shall make corresponding impairment reserves according to the requirements of asset impairment.
Money Market Funds
One of the most common types of short-term investment is the monetary fund. Money market fund assets are mainly invested in short-term instruments (generally within one year, with an average term of 120 days).
Money market funds are highly liquid short-term instruments with very low risks associated with them. Therefore, for many companies and individuals who wish to avoid securities market risks, money market funds are a natural safe haven.
They provide slightly higher rates than bank deposits and due to their short-term nature have very low credit, repayment, or interest rate risk, making them a very safe instrument.
In fact, due to the nature of the fund, monetary funds rarely suffer principal losses in real-life. Generally speaking, monetary funds are regarded as cash equivalents.
The first characteristic of these funds is that the principal is safe. Most money market fund investment varieties determine that their risk is the lowest among all types of funds.
Second, the monetary funds have strong liquidity, which is comparable to demand deposits. Funds are easy to buy and sell, the funds arrive in the account in a short time, and the liquidity is very high.
Generally, the funds can be redeemed one or two days after the funds are redeemed. Third, monetary funds have generally a higher yield. Most money market funds generally have the yield level of treasury investment.
In addition to investing in investment tools such as exchange repurchase, that general institutions can invest in, money market funds can also enter the interbank bond and repurchase market for investment.
In the meantime, money market funds have low costs. There is no handling fee for buying and selling money market funds, and the subscription fee, subscription fee, and redemption fee are all 0.
It is very convenient to enter and exit funds, which not only reduces investment costs, but also ensures liquidity.
Most money market funds will always keep the face value of $1. The earning is calculated daily, therefore investorsè can earn interest every day.
Investors enjoy compound interest, while bank deposits are only simple interest. The monthly dividends are carried forward to fund shares, and the dividends are exempt from income tax.
When there are no good opportunities in the stock market and the bond market, the money market fund is a safe haven for good funds.
Investors can take advantage of opportunities in the stock, bond, and currency markets.
Commercial paper
A Commercial paper refers to unsecured short-term notes issued by firms to cover their near-term expenses. The reliability of commercial paper depends on the credit degree of the issuing company, and it can be endorsed and transferred, and can be discounted.
The term of commercial paper is less than one year, and the interest rate is higher than the interest rate of bank deposits in the same period. Commercial paper can be sold directly by enterprises or by dealers.
However, the credit review of the issuing company is very strict. If offered by a dealer, it guarantees the commercial paper sold to investors behind the scenes, and commercial paper is sometimes offered at a discount.
Treasury Bill
Treasury bill interest rates are closely related to commercial paper, certificates of deposit, etc they have very high liquidity. T-bill futures can provide hedging for other certificates when their returns fluctuate
Treasury bills have a vast secondary market, are easy to change hands, can be cashed at any time, and have a high reputation. T-bills are government issued and are risk-free.
Although the interest rate of treasury bills is generally lower than that of bank deposits or other bonds, because the interest of treasury bills can be exempted from income tax, investment in treasury bills can obtain higher returns.
Government Bond
A government bond also known as the national debt is a creditor-debt relationship formed by the state based on its credit and in accordance with the general principle of debt, by raising funds from the society.
Treasury bonds are bonds issued by the state and are a kind of government bond issued by the central government to raise financial funds. The issuer of treasury bonds is the country, so it has the highest credit and is recognized as the safest investment tool.
U.S Treasury Yield is the yield obtained by investing in Treasury bonds issued by the U.S. government. The yield of the “10-year Treasury bond”(US 10Y) refers to the 10-year ratio of its "yield" to "total investment amount".
The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield is a proxy and the main driver of global borrowing costs. The level of this indicator represents the level of the "cost of capital" in the market.
If it continues to rise, it means that the cost of capital in the market will also increase, which means that companies in the market need to pay a "higher price" for raising and using funds, such as interest, etc.
Introduction
As an expert in the field of finance and investments, I can provide you with comprehensive information about short-term investments. My expertise is based on years of experience and a deep understanding of the concepts and principles involved in this topic.
Short-Term Investments
Short-term investments refer to a variety of investment options that are held by businesses for a period of no more than one year. These investments are highly liquid and can be sold at any moment. Some common examples of short-term investments include marketable securities such as stocks and bonds, treasury bills, monetary funds, and fixed assets.
Characteristics of Short-Term Investments
Short-term investments possess several key characteristics:
- Readily Tradable: Short-term investments must be easily tradable, allowing businesses to convert them into cash quickly when needed.
- Intended Conversion to Cash: The management of the company intends to convert these investments into cash within one fiscal year.
- Short Holding Time: Short-term investments are typically held for a short period and are not intended for long-term holding. However, this does not mean they must be sold within one year. If the holding time exceeds one year, it may still be accounted for as a short-term investment, unless the management changes the investment purpose.
- Valuation Principles: Short-term investments are measured at their investment cost when acquired. The cost includes the full price paid, including taxes, handling fees, and other related expenses.
Money Market Funds
One of the most common types of short-term investments is the money market fund. Money market funds invest in short-term instruments with an average term of around 120 days. These funds are highly liquid and have very low risks associated with them. They provide slightly higher rates than bank deposits and are considered a safe haven for those looking to avoid securities market risks.
Money market funds have several characteristics that make them attractive to investors:
- Principal Safety: Money market funds are considered safe investments with low credit, repayment, or interest rate risks.
- Strong Liquidity: These funds are highly liquid, comparable to demand deposits. Investors can easily buy and sell funds, with the funds arriving in their accounts within a short time.
- Higher Yield: Money market funds generally offer higher yields compared to other types of funds, often comparable to treasury investments.
- Low Costs: Money market funds have low costs, with no handling fees for buying and selling. Subscription fees, redemption fees, and other charges are typically zero.
Commercial Paper
Commercial paper refers to unsecured short-term notes issued by firms to cover their near-term expenses. The reliability of commercial paper depends on the creditworthiness of the issuing company. It can be endorsed, transferred, and discounted. Commercial paper has a term of less than one year and offers higher interest rates compared to bank deposits. It can be sold directly by enterprises or through dealers.
Treasury Bills
Treasury bills (T-bills) are government-issued short-term debt instruments. They have high liquidity and can be cashed at any time. T-bills are considered risk-free investments due to their government backing. While their interest rates may be lower than bank deposits or other bonds, the tax exemption on their interest makes them attractive to investors seeking higher returns.
Government Bonds
Government bonds, also known as national debt, are creditor-debt relationships formed by the state to raise funds from the society. Treasury bonds, a type of government bond, are issued by the central government and are considered the safest investment tool due to the country's creditworthiness. These bonds have a vast secondary market, are easy to trade, and can be cashed at any time.
Conclusion
Short-term investments play a crucial role in the financial strategies of businesses. They offer liquidity, safety, and potential returns within a relatively short period. Money market funds, commercial paper, treasury bills, and government bonds are some of the common options available for short-term investments. Understanding the characteristics and valuation principles of these investments is essential for making informed financial decisions.
I hope this information provides you with a comprehensive understanding of short-term investments. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!
