•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Great cash yields—many above 4%—are still available if you know where to look.
With the Federal Reserve currently in a holding pattern, cash yields are likely to remain fairly steady for the near term. At current levels, the safest places to park money continue to offer attractive returns.
Across savings accounts, CDs, brokerage cash options, and U.S. Treasuries, yields vary by product and provider, yet many of the top options currently pay between the low-3% range and 5%. That makes it possible to earn a solid return on cash without taking on stock-market risk.
Cash doesn’t have to sit on the sidelines to stay safe. Knowing which accounts are still paying competitive yields can help you earn more on savings you may need soon—without taking on market risk.
Staying cautious with your liquid savings doesn’t mean it has to sit idle. The right account can still turn short-term safety into meaningful earnings.
With a lump-sum savings deposit of $10,000, you can earn about $200 in interest in just six months by choosing a 4% account. The table below shows what you’d earn at different interest rates, as well as what a balance of $25,000 or $50,000 would earn.
| APY | Earnings on $10K for 6 months | Earnings on $25K for 6 months | Earnings on $50K for 6 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.50% | $173 | $434 | $867 |
| 3.75% | $186 | $464 | $929 |
| 4.00% | $198 | $495 | $990 |
| 4.25% | $210 | $526 | $1,051 |
| 4.50% | $223 | $556 | $1,113 |
| 4.75% | $235 | $587 | $1,174 |
| 5.00% | $247 | $617 | $1,235 |
These examples assume you can earn the stated annual percentage yield (APY) for the full six months, which may not be possible with variable-rate options.
The rate you earn from a savings account, money market account, cash account, or money market fund is variable and can change over time. In contrast, CDs and Treasuries allow you to lock in your yield for a set time period.
For investors looking to earn a competitive return without taking on much risk, today’s top cash options fall into three main categories—each with slightly different trade-offs depending on how long you plan to keep funds parked.
You can choose a single option or mix and match based on your goals and timeline. Either way, it helps to know what each option is paying right now. The rates below are presented as of Friday’s market close.
The rates represent the top nationally available annual percentage yields (APYs) from federally insured banks and credit unions, based on daily analysis of more than 200 institutions offering accounts nationwide.
The yield on money market funds fluctuates daily, while rates on cash management accounts are more fixed but can be adjusted at any time.
Treasury securities pay interest through maturity and can be purchased from TreasuryDirect or traded on the secondary market through a bank or brokerage. I bonds must be bought from TreasuryDirect and can be held for up to 30 years, with rates adjusted every six months.
Premium gym chains are entering a “golden era” that is ending or already in decline, as rising operating costs collide with shifting consumer preferences toward more flexible, community-based ways to exercise. Long-term memberships are shrinking, margins are pressured by higher rents and facility expenses, and competition from smaller, more personalized…
