What's Your Port in This Storm?

ULTRA-SAFE

Harold R. Evensky, President, Evensky & Katz Wealth Management, Coral Gables, Fla.

RECOMMENDATION

$1 million in 10 certificates of deposit (CDs) or money-market funds from Charles Schwab (SCHW) or Fidelity Investments. For the most risk-averse investors, 100% in U.S. Treasury Bills, which currently yield 2.3%.

STRATEGY

Some advisers use 10 or more banks to avoid hitting the $100,000 limit on insurance from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Evensky would put all the cash in one-year CDs from Fidelity or Schwab that yield about 3.8%. If investors need cash in less than a year, he likes Schwab Value Advantage Money Fund (SWZXX) (yield: 2.24%) or Fidelity Cash Reserves (FDRXX) (yield: 2.42%).

MODERATELY SAFE

Stephen Cohn, co-president, Sage Financial Group, West Conshohocken, Pa.

RECOMMENDATION

$150,000 Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Admiral; $150,000 Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Admiral; $150,000 Schwab Municipal Money Fund; $95,000 in Vanguard Prime Money Market; three $95,000 CDs from banks such as Schwab, Wells Fargo (WFC), or JPMorgan Chase (JPM); $85,000 in an ING Direct (ING) savings account; $85,000 in a checking account.

STRATEGY

Cohn would spread $450,000 among the Vanguard and Schwab bond funds. Each holds mostly high-rated securities and has low expenses (respective yields: 3.4%, 3.53%, and a tax-equivalent yield of 1.82%). Vanguard Prime yields 2.21%. The remaining money goes into FDIC-insured instruments. Keep CDs to $95,000, since FDIC insurance includes principal and interest. An ING Direct savings account yields 3%.

MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE

Louis P. Stanasolovich, president, Legend Financial Advisors, Pittsburgh

RECOMMENDATION

$200,000 each in Pimco Developing Local Markets (PLMIX); Prudent Bear Global Income (PSAFX); Pimco Total Return (PTTRX); Hussman Strategic Total Return (HSTRX); structured notes, which are custom-designed bonds.

STRATEGY

A mix of bond funds, currency plays, and inflation hedges aims for a portfolio yield upwards of 7%. The Hussman fund offers inflation hedges, while Prudent Bear Global Income and Pimco Local Developing Markets provide exposure to foreign debt. The most esoteric element: custom-designed bonds paired with an options contract (BW—June 30); Pimco Real Return is an alternative choice.

Stashing Cash at Higher Rates