Global liquidity Global Liquidity Survey reveals cash management trends
Key takeaways
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Research partnership:
We are proud to partner with the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) to sponsor the 2026 AFP Liquidity Survey for the seventh year in a row.
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Safety, liquidity, diversification:
Money market funds remain a critical asset class among institutional investors, and we expect that to continue.
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Industry-leading insights:
See how your cash management strategies compare to your peers' and uncover insights into what the future may hold.
Global Liquidity survey reveals current and emerging corporate cash management trends
The global economy has faced increased uncertainty due to changing trade policies, geopolitical tensions, and rising oil prices. Inflation rose to 3.3% in March 2026, while interest rates have held steady and the labor market remains tight. In response, organizations are taking a more cautious approach to liquidity- holding more cash, managing working capital closely and adjusting investment strategies to navigate volatility.
Key survey insights include:
- Nearly half of organizations (46%) increased their U.S. cash holdings as of March 2026, up from 38% last year, while only 14% reported decreases. This trend reflects ongoing emphasis on liquidity and cash preservation among corporate treasuries.
- Three-quarters (75%) of organizations maintain written investment policies guiding their short-term investment strategies. Adoption is even higher among larger companies, net investors, investment-grade firms, and publicly owned companies, underscoring the importance of structured governance in cash management.
- Organizations allocate an average of 83% of short-term investments to safe, liquid vehicles such as bank deposits, money market funds, and Treasury securities. Notably, the share held in bank deposits has declined to 42%, the lowest since 2011, with funds shifting toward Treasury securities, indicating a preference for safety combined with diversification.
- Only a small fraction of organizations are piloting or exploring stablecoins, with most viewing them as irrelevant in the near term. Instead, deposit decisions prioritize strong bank relationships (81%), credit quality (60%), counterparty risk (54%), and yield (51%). Interest in real-time liquidity is growing, with 41% expecting 24/7 access to money market funds, though uncertainty persists.
Change in Cash and Short-term Balances over the Past 12 Months: U.S. and Non-U.S. Cash Holdings
(Percentage Distribution of Organizations)
2026
|
|
Much Larger |
Somewhat Larger |
No Significant Change |
Somewhat Smaller |
Much Smaller |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Within the U.S. |
309 |
16% |
30% |
40% |
9% |
5% |
Outside the U.S. |
226 |
3% |
17% |
62% |
13% |
5% |
2025
|
Much Larger |
Somewhat Larger |
No Significant Change |
Somewhat Smaller |
Much Smaller |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Within the U.S. |
15% |
23% |
46% |
13% |
3% |
Outside the U.S. |
4% |
16% |
65% |
10% |
5% |
Overall, the survey suggests a cautious approach to cash management, with organizations balancing safety and liquidity while navigating economic uncertainties.
How does your organization compare?
We are proud to partner with the Association of Financial Professionals (AFP) to sponsor the 2026 AFP Liquidity Survey, marking the seventh year Invesco has sponsored this industry-leading research.
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Important information
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The 2025 AFP Liquidity Survey was reprinted with permission from Association for Financial Professionals (AFP). While Invesco believes the information presented in this article to be reliable and current, Invesco was not involved in writing the article and cannot guarantee its accuracy. Further circulation, disclosure, or dissemination of all or any part of this material is prohibited. This article is provided for educational & informational purposes only and is not an offer of investment advice or financial products. Invesco is not affiliated with Association for Financial Professionals (AFP).
Survey participants’ experience may not be representative of others, nor does it guarantee the future performance or success of any product. The opinions expressed are those of the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) and are based on current market conditions and are subject to change without notice. These opinions may differ from those of other Invesco investment professionals. There may be material differences in the investment goals and objectives, costs and expenses, liquidity, safety, guarantees or insurance, fluctuation of principal or return, tax features, and investment horizons of investors.
A total of 309 responses were submitted by corporate practitioner members and prospects holding senior-level and practitioner titles, including Vice President of Treasury Management, Treasurer, Director of Treasury, Director of Cash Management, Assistant Treasurer, Manager of Treasury, Cash Manager, Senior Treasury Analyst, and Treasury Analyst. These responses form the basis of this report.
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