Investors should avoid the “cash trap” and step into risk markets – JP Morgan

Thanks to the Federal Reserve’s rate hiking campaign, cash looks more attractive today than in the last two decades. As a result, investors have flocked to cash products. However, investors should be wary of falling into the ‘cash trap,” analysts at JP Morgan say.

An equity investor who missed just the 10 best days since 2003 would have seen their annualized performance cut nearly in half

Over the last 30 years, cash has been unable to keep up with the creep of inflation. By contrast, other investments have been much better places to park capital. Moreover, for investors willing to take more risk, the reward has generally been worth it.

History has shown that by missing only a handful of the best trading days, investment performance can suffer. In fact, an equity investor who missed just the 10 best days since 2003 would have seen their annualized performance cut nearly in half.

Investors should remember that holding some cash is always necessary. However, they should also recognize that too much cash can become a liability. Despite the comfort that cash can provide, the most prudent move would be to avoid the ‘cash trap’ and step into risk markets.