Goldman Sachs won’t accept new money in its GS Euro Government Liquid Reserves Fund, and BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, is restricting deposits in two European funds.
'The European market environment is in unchartered territory with such historically low - or even negative - yields for high-quality issuance', Goldman Sachs (GS) said in a memo to fund shareholders, citing the ECB’s rate cut. 'It is not currently feasible for our portfolio managers to deploy capital without substantially diluting the yield for the existing base of shareholders'.
The ECB Thursday reduced its benchmark rate to a record low of 0.75 percent and took its deposit rate to zero. Money funds have been struggling to invest client assets at a profit as interest rates globally are near record lows and Europe’s sovereign debt crisis has reduced the supply of available debt. Managers have been forced to cut fees to keep customer returns above zero, and some have abandoned the business.
All three firms said the restrictions are temporary and they will monitor market conditions. Investor redemptions from the funds are not being limited.
Hit the link below to access the complete Bloomberg article:
JPMorgan, Goldman Shut Europe Money Funds After ECB Cut
The Alchemists: Three Central Bankers and a World on Fire
Hubris: How HBOS Wrecked the Best Bank in Britain
