Insights

Market Insights

Key Takeaways from the March FOMC Meeting

Mar 20, 2019

While the FOMC kept the range for the federal funds rate unchanged at 2.25%-2.50%, their forward-looking statements were more dovish than expected.

View PDF

Strategic

The MSIFT Ultra-Short Income Portfolio: Adapting to Change

Jonas Kolk, CIO & Head of Portfolio Management for the Global Liquidity team, discusses changes happening in the markets & how his liquidity strategies are able to adapt to changing market conditions.

View Video

Market Insights

Key Takeaways from the March FOMC Meeting

Mar 20, 2019

While the FOMC kept the range for the federal funds rate unchanged at 2.25%-2.50%, their forward-looking statements were more dovish than expected.

View PDF

Market Insights

Looking Ahead, The Fed Endorses Patient Policy

Feb 28, 2019

Powell emphasized labor force participation gains and the wage growth of unskilled workers as signs of a growing economy.

View PDF

Market Insights

FOMC Keeps Rates Unchanged, While Brexit Concerns Result In The BOE To Do The Same

Jan 31, 2019

In a move that disappointed investors, the FOMC gave no forward guidance on the future of the economy where monetary policy is concerned.

View PDF

Sustainability Council

About the Investment Management Sustainable Investing Council

Jan 14, 2019

The IM Sustainable Investing Council drives IM’s global effort by promoting an overall framework for integrating ESG and ESG standards into IM’s investment processes, product development, measurement, education, client engagement and reporting.

Market Insights

FOMC Increases Rates by 0.25%, while ECB and BoE Keep Rates on Hold

Dec 31, 2018

In a move widely expected by the markets, the FOMC increased the fed funds rate by 0.25% at its December meeting.

View PDF

Market Outlook

2019 – To Neutral and Beyond?

Dec 20, 2018

As we look ahead to the new year, the key question for liquidity investors is what is the Federal Reserve’s neutral rate. This inferred rate will likely determine the path of interest rates in 2019 and beyond, as the Fed shifts their policy towards managing around neutral.

Market Insights

Key Takeaways From the Fed’s December Rate Hike

Dec 19, 2018

In a move widely expected by the markets, the Federal Open Market Committee increased the federal funds rate by 0.25% at its December meeting.

View PDF

Market Insights

Market Volatility Continues Leading up to Rate Hike

Nov 30, 2018

The month of November was another turbulent month in the markets, with continued volatility and uncertainty around future Fed rate hikes and global growth as 2019 approaches.

View PDF

Market Insights

Fed Remains on Track for December Rate Hike Despite Increased Volatility

Oct 30, 2018

In October, the markets experienced heightened volatility amid continued geopolitical uncertainty, particularly leading into the U.S. midterm elections.

View PDF

Market Insights

FOMC Increases Interest Rates by 0.25%

Sep 30, 2018

In September, the FOMC unanimously voted to increase interest rates by 25 basis points to a target range of 2.00% to 2.25%

View PDF

Market

Key Takeaways From the Fed’s September Rate Hike

Sep 27, 2018

In a move expected by the markets, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) increased the federal (fed) funds rate by 0.25% at its September meeting.

View PDF

Market Insights

The Fed Remains on Track to Raise Rates in September

Aug 31, 2018

In August, the Fed indicated it was ready to raise interest rates at its September meeting. The BoE raised interest rates by 25 basis points, and the ECB remained on track to end its bond purchase program by the end of this year.

View PDF

Strategic

The MSIFT Ultra-Short Income Portfolio: Adapting to Change

Aug 30, 2018

Jonas Kolk, CIO and Head of Portfolio Management for the Global Liquidity team, discusses changes happening in the markets and how his liquidity strategies, including the MSIFT Ultra-Short Income Portfolio, are able to adapt to changing market conditions.

View Video

Education

Variable Rate Demand Obligations (VRDOs)

Aug 15, 2018

VRDOs (also known as VRDNs) are debt instruments that generally allow issuers to receive financing at short-term rates when borrowing long-term. Making up approximately three-quarters of the total U.S. municipal money market, VRDOs can be a vital tool for municipal bond issuers seeking to diversify their debt structure and take advantage of the natural demand from tax-exempt money market funds.

View PDF

Education

Repurchase Agreement Primer

Aug 15, 2018

A repurchase agreement (also known as a repo) is a sale of securities coupled with an agreement to repurchase the securities at a specified price on a later date. It is similar to a secured loan – the cash lender loans cash to a borrower and receives the borrower's securities as collateral.

View PDF

Market Insights

Rates Remain Steady Amid Trade Concerns

Jul 31, 2018

In July, the ECB and the FOMC kept interest rates steady amid increased global concerns around tariffs and trade wars.

View PDF

Market Insights

FOMC Increases Interest Rates by 0.25%

Jun 30, 2018

In June, the markets were largely driven by the FOMC‘s meeting. The FOMC unanimously voted to increase interest rates by 25 basis points to a target range of 1.75%-2.00%.

View PDF

Sustainability Insight

Sustainable Signals

Jun 11, 2018

In a survey of institutional investors, 70% said they are integrating sustainable investing into their investment process, signaling just how quickly the ESG imperative is catching on.

Market Insight

U.S. On Track for June Rate Hike

May 31, 2018

In May, trade tensions and political uncertainty concerned investors. While the U.S. is on track for a June rate hike, future monetary policy decisions in the U.K. and Eurozone remain in question.

View PDF

Market Insight

Mixed Economic Data and Continued Volatility Continues During April

Apr 30, 2018

In April, central banks' messaging about monetary policy appeared to diverge amidst mixed economic data and continued volatility.

View PDF

Market Insights

Fed Raises Rates in March While Other Central Banks Keep Rates on Hold

Mar 31, 2018

Major monetary policy updates from the Fed, ECB and the BoE during their March meetings were key market drivers during the month

View PDF

STABLE NAV FUNDS

You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Funds’ sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time.

FLOATING NAV FUNDS

You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Because the share price of the Fund will fluctuate, when you sell your shares they may be worth more or less than what you originally paid for them. The Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fund’s liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Funds’ sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time.

Please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the portfolios carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information about the portfolios. To obtain a prospectus, download one at www.morganstanley.com/liquidity or call 1.800.236.0992. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.