The Marketable Security Portfolios of Non-Financial Corporations

The article discusses the important contribution that non-financial institutions make to money markets. The article focuses on the short-term investment practices of non-financial corporations, and outlines any changes in these practices since 1939. The article explains that, because of the significant increase in money-market investment, these investments can have a real impact on the growth of various sectors. The article addresses the determinants of types of securities held by non-financial corporations and trends in corporate short-term investment practices. The author notes that corporate portfolio managers have significant cash for investment, and market growth is evident by the number of companies selling commercial paper directly and sales changes in commercial paper houses.