Key Takeaways With the Federal Reserve currently in a holding pattern, cash yields are likely to remain fairly steady for the near term. And at current levels, today's 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. But most of the top options still offer yields between the low-3% range and 5%. That makes it possible to earn a solid return on cash without taking on stock-market r ...

Core Insights - The Federal Reserve's decision to maintain interest rates has led to stable cash yields, encouraging savers to explore competitive options for their cash holdings [2][3] - Current yields across various cash products, including savings accounts, CDs, brokerage cash options, and U.S. Treasuries, range from approximately 3% to 5%, allowing for meaningful returns without stock market exposure [3][9] - A comprehensive chart has been created to compare the best-paying options across major cash categories, highlighting standout rates in high-yield savings accounts and CDs [4][5] Cash Yield Analysis - Cash options are delivering competitive yields, with the potential to earn significant interest on deposits, such as $200 in six months from a $10,000 deposit at a 4% account [7][9] - The earnings potential varies by account type, with specific examples showing earnings for different balances at various annual percentage yields (APYs) [8] - The best savings accounts, CDs, Treasuries, and some brokerage cash options provide strong returns with minimal risk, emphasizing the importance of selecting the right cash management strategy [9][10] Product Categories - The top cash options fall into three main categories: bank and credit union products, brokerage and robo-advisor products, and U.S. Treasury products, each with unique characteristics and yield structures [11][15] - Bank and credit union products include savings accounts, money market accounts, and CDs, while brokerage options consist of money market funds and cash management accounts [13][14] - U.S. Treasury products, such as T-bills, notes, and inflation-protected I bonds, offer fixed interest rates and can be purchased directly or through secondary markets [14][15]

Core Insights - Current cash management options are providing competitive yields, with rates ranging from low-3% to around 5%, allowing savers to earn returns without market risk [3][9] - A comprehensive chart has been created to compare the best-paying options across various cash categories, including high-yield savings accounts, CDs, brokerage cash options, and U.S. Treasuries [4][12] - The right account choice can significantly impact earnings on liquid savings, with potential earnings on a $10,000 deposit reaching approximately $200 in six months at a 4% interest rate [7][8] Cash Management Options - High-yield savings accounts, CDs, brokerage options, and U.S. Treasuries are highlighted as the top choices for earning solid returns without market exposure [9][10] - The best savings accounts and CDs allow for locking in high yields for a specified period, while brokerage cash options and Treasuries offer flexibility and stability [4][11] Earnings Potential - A breakdown of potential earnings on different balances over six months shows that at a 5% APY, a $10,000 deposit could yield $247, while a $25,000 deposit could yield $617 [8] - The analysis indicates that even cautious savers can achieve meaningful earnings by selecting the right accounts [6][9] Rate Variability - The rates for savings accounts and money market accounts are variable and can change over time, while CDs and Treasuries provide fixed yields for a set duration [10][14] - The report emphasizes the importance of being aware of current rates across different cash management products to maximize earnings [12][13]