Money Market vs Capital Market

Money Market vs Capital Market Differences

Money market and Capital market are types of financial market. Money markets are used for short-term lending or borrowing usually the assets are held for one year or less whereas, Capital Markets are used for long-term securities they have the direct or indirect impact on the capital. Capital markets include equity market and debt market.

#1 – Money Markets

Money markets are unorganized markets where banks, financial institutions, money dealers and brokers trade in financial instruments for a short period of time. They trade in short-term debt instruments like trade credit, commercial paper, certificate of deposit, T bills etc. which are highly liquid and can be redeemed in the period less than 1.

Trading in the money market is done mostly through over the counter (OTC) i.e. no or little use of exchanges. They provide businesses with short-term credit and play a major role in providing liquidity in the economy over the short term. It helps the business and industries with working capital requirements.

#2 – Capital Markets

The capital market is a type of financial market where financial products like stocks, bonds, debentures are traded for a long duration of time. The serve the purpose of long-term financing and long-term capital requirement. The Capital market is a dealer and an auction market and consists of two categories:

• Primary market: A primary market where the fresh issue of securities are offered to the public
• Secondary market: A secondary market where issued securities are traded between the investors.

Money Market vs Capital Market Differences Infographics

Here we provide you with the top 10 differences between Money market and Capital market

Key Differences Between Money Market and Capital Market

Let us point out key differences between money market and Capital market:

• Short-term securities are traded in money markets whereas long-term securities are traded in capital markets
• Capital markets are well organized whereas money markets are not that organized
• Liquidity is high in the money market whereas liquidity is comparatively low in capital markets
• Due to high liquidity and low duration of maturity in money markets, Instruments in money markets are a low risk whereas capital markets are the comparatively high risk
• Central bank, commercial banks and non-financial institutions are majorly work in money markets whereas stock exchanges, commercial banks, and non-banking institutions work in capital markets
• Money markets are required to fulfill the capital needs in short-term especially the working capital requirements and capital markets are required to provide long-term financing and a fixed capital for purchasing land, property, machinery, building etc.
• Money markets provide liquidity in the economy where capital markets stabilize the economy due to long-term financing and mobilization of savings
• Capital markets generally give higher returns whereas money markets give a low return on investments

Money Market vs Capital Market Head to Head Differences

Let’s now look at the head to head differences between Money Market and Capital Market

Basis for Comparison between Money Market and Capital Market		Money Market		Capital Market
Definition		Money market is part of the financial market where lending and borrowing takes place for short-term up to one year		Capital market is part of the financial market where lending and borrowing takes place for the medium term and long-term
Types of instruments involved		Money markets generally deal in promissory notes, bills of exchange, commercial paper, T bills, call money etc.		Capital market deals in equity shares, debentures, bonds, preference shares etc.
Institutions involved/types of investors		Money market contains financial banks, the central bank, commercial banks, financial Companies, chit funds etc.		Capital market involves stockbrokers, mutual funds, underwriters, individual investors, commercial banks, stock exchanges, Insurance Companies
Nature of Market		Money markets are informal		Capital markets are more formal
Liquidity of the market		Money markets are liquid		Capital Markets are comparatively less liquid
Maturity period		The maturity of financial instruments is generally up to 1 year		The maturity of capital markets instruments is longer and they do not have stipulated time frame
Risk factor		Since the market is liquid and the maturity is less than one year, Risk involved is low		Due to less liquid nature and long maturity, the risk is comparatively high
Purpose		The market fulfills short-term credit needs of the business		The capital market fulfills long-term credit needs of the business
Functional merit		The money markets increase the liquidity of funds in the economy		The capital market stabilises the economy due to long-term savings
Return on investment		The return in money markets are usually low		The returns in capital markets are high because of higher duration

Money Market vs Capital Market – Conclusion

• Both money market and capital market are part of the financial markets. The main aim of the financial markets is to channelize funds and to generate returns. The financial markets stabilize the money supply by lending borrowing mechanism i.e. surplus funds are provided to borrowers by the lenders.
• Both money market and capital market are required for the betterment of the economy as they fulfill the long-term and short-term capital needs of the business and industry. The markets encourage individuals to invest money to gain good returns.
• Investors can tap into each of the markets depending on their needs. Capital markets are generally less liquid but provide good returns at higher risk whereas money markets are highly liquid but provide lower returns. Money markets are also considered safe assets.
• However, due to market anomalies and inefficiency due to some aberrations above may not hold. Investors try to look for arbitrage opportunities due to such anomalies to get higher returns. Money markets are considered safe but they sometimes give negative returns. Thus, investors should study the pros and cons of each financial instrument and the condition of the financial market before putting their money for short term or long term.

Recommended Articles

This has a been a guide to the top differences between money market and capital market. Here we also discuss the money market vs capital market with infographics, and comparison table. You may also have a look at the following articles –

• Top Differences Between Equity Shares vs Preference Shares
• Shares vs Debentures | Top 13 Best Differences
• Lending vs Borrowing Differences
• Bond and Loan Differences
• Money vs Currency
• Shares vs Mutual Funds – Top 6 Best Differences
• Bull Market vs Bear Market
• Right Issue vs Bonus Issue 
• EBIT vs Net Income
• Stock Options vs RSU